Kevin Doyle has warned Italy coach Marcello Lippi there is much more to come from the Republic of Ireland when they go head-to-head with the reigning world champions. Ireland went level on points with the Italians as a result of last night’s 2-1 victory over Georgia.
And Giovanni Trapattoni’s men will travel to Bari on April 1st for a game that could go a long way towards deciding the destiny of World Cup qualifying Group Eight.
The Republic entertain Bulgaria at Croke Park on March 28th with Lippi’s side facing a tricky trip to Montenegro the same night as the group reaches the halfway stage.
Should the teams remain locked together before they meet in Bari, a positive result for Ireland on the night would give them an unexpected psychological advantage.
Seasoned campaigner Lippi was in Dublin last night to see his compatriot guide his team to a fightback victory over the Georgians to maintain their unbeaten record in the group.
The Republic were not at their best, certainly in the first half, although Doyle admits that could work in their favour.
He said: “They had their manager there last night, so I am glad we didn’t play too well in front of him — we don’t want him too worried about us. We want them to be pretty cocky and confident and not take us too seriously.”
There is little chance Lippi will be taken in by what he saw last night, although he was served with a timely reminder of just how lethal skipper Robbie Keane can be.
A peripheral figure at club level as his ill-fated spell at Liverpool drew to a close, he completed 90 minutes for the second time in four days and, when his chances came, he took them without a second thought.
Trailing 1-0 to Alexander Iashvili’s first-minute strike, Ireland were indebted to a stroke of luck as they got themselves back on terms.
Doyle admitted he appealed more in hope than expectation as the ball reared up and struck defender Ucha Lobjanidze, apparently on the shoulder.
But to his surprise, Finnish referee Jouni Hyytia pointed to the spot amid horrified protests from the visitors.
Doyle, who was convinced he should have been awarded a first-half spot-kick for a foul by Kakha Kaladze, said: “I was the closest one to it and it sort of bounced up and hit him between his arm and chest.
“You claim and nine times out of 10, you are ignored for that. I was pretty surprised to see him blow his whistle.”
Tottenham star Keane, however, ignored all the fuss to send keeper Giorgi Lomaia the wrong way from 12 yards with 17 minutes remaining, and the stage was set for further drama.
Only five more minutes had elapsed when the 28-year-old met Aiden McGeady’s corner with a combination of head and shoulder, but the ball flew past Lomaia and into the back of the net to increase the pain for the visitors.
Doyle was delighted for his strike-partner after an eventful few weeks in his career.
He said: “It’s been a tough few weeks for him, but he was delighted in there. And to get another 90 minutes under his belt as well — he hasn’t had many this season.
“To get two goals — and it was a pressure penalty as well, and he sent the keeper the wrong way, it was a great penalty — he was delighted.”
The win completed a double over the Georgians that, coupled with a 1-0 defeat of Cyprus and a hard-fought draw in Montenegro, has eased the Republic seven points clear of Bulgaria and in prime position to claim a play-off place at the very least.
But the final whistle brought relief as much as anything else as an eventful evening ultimately ended with the result that the men in green had hoped for.
Doyle said: “We were worried for a while, but we stuck at it and kept going and we got the result, and that’s what it’s all about.”
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