When the key middlemen left the pitch our dodgy back four were exposed. The game confirmed our best XI would have done well in the World Cup, writes BRIAN KERRsoccer analyst
THE FACT we were fortunate not to suffer a heavy defeat last night should not bother “Trap” too much, as, when our best team was on the field, a very good account of the current state of Irish football was presented.
The loss of Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff and eventually Liam Lawrence exposed our dodgy back four. When that now reliable protective midfield band of four were broken up it allowed the Brazilians to rip us apart.
In terms of learning or confirming his thoughts, there were many valuable aspects in this game for the manager.
The real shame watching last night’s match, particularly the early stages, was the painful reminder that we are not going to South Africa in June. Our starting XI looks well equipped for such an adventure.
The midfield really seems to have found its groove, with Keith Andrews and Whelan comfortable and stable in the middle, Lawrence and Duff providing the trickery out wide and Robbie buzzing around off Kevin Doyle.
Not a bad midfield/attack to be taking to a World Cup, especially when the fullbacks are set free. This has been long overdue.
They broke up the initial Brazilian attempts to get into their samba rhythm – it was the 41st minute before they started stringing some dangerous passes together – and you could see from a few snaps by Andrews and Whelan they were not too interested in a battle.
Not too many midfielders will be overly keen to get into the trenches with these two after what they did in Paris. Their work-rate is top drawer, and with either Keane or Doyle dropping into the middle they were never outnumbered and could keep tabs on Kaka.
Stephen Kelly’s natural instinct was always as an attacking fullback, using his pace to raid down the wing, while Kevin Kilbane in his traditional outside left position was able to bring some crucial support to the attack. Of course, Kilbane’s legs also went on him. Age will do that, aided by a lack of activity at Hull.
These were signs of a release from the restraints, first seen in Paris, again last night. It gives hope that Ireland under Trapattoni will continue with the same approach come the European championship campaign in September.
Remember the dull tactics of the last campaign and the lack of general attacking enterprise which ultimately contributed to us not qualifying directly?
The Brazilians tend to bring magic out in opposing players, as seen from Doyle’s attempted bicycle kick, but back in the real world we got a glimpse of an Ireland defence without Richard Dunne and John O’Shea.
The centre backs were caught out badly for the first goal. Still scratching the head over that.
Paul McShane made some vital defensive blocks and was never short of commitment, but his lack of composure remains an issue. We should be letting it go – but that ball should never have been allowed to bounce in Paris, a second before Thierry Henry, well, you know the rest . . .
McShane is too easily beaten in one-on-one situations. Just see the second goal. He remains a less than satisfactory replacement for Dunne.
Once the first quick counter-attack swept past Whelan in the holding role the alarm bells started ringing, but Kelly got across well from right back and McShane did get the second block in on Robinho.
Seán St Ledger was largely solid and even looked authoritative until over-confidence saw him caught in possession. Robinho should have scored off this indiscretion.
Up the other end, I found it hard to believe the word that Keane was unfit to play only last Monday. He covered plenty of ground.
Getting 19-year-old James McCarthy on the field for his first cap was a positive development, probably the best sight of the night.
For Darron Gibson and McCarthy, it was a difficult game to come into as Brazil went through the gears at the same time. Gibson’s passing range is well known, but McCarthy showed enough to suggest the football intelligence and competitiveness is there to make an impact.
The Brazilians looked well short of the team that came to Dublin in 2004, with only Kaka, Lucio and Gilberto Silva the big returnees still on view. Dunga will be looking for a huge improvement if they want to win a sixth World Cup, but the Brazil at the Emirates in March will, we can be sure, pale in comparison to what we see next summer.
The departure of Liam Brady from the “Italian management team” ensures a loss of critical local knowledge of the Irish players in Britain. There is a fear that contact with the players may now suffer, and a shortfall on the language side of things is inevitable.
Although Brady’s seating position and general involvement at recent Irish get-togethers suggested only peripheral input to the manager’s decisions, whether tactical or otherwise in game situations at least, his loss to the set-up will still be substantial.
The FAI may be happy in the current climate to save on Brady’s salary for doing what was a part-time job, but it is nonetheless far from satisfactory that Alan Kelly is the only Irish person living or even regularly present at games where our players ply their trade.
It amazes me how big a deal it is for the Irish media if Giovanni Trapattoni or Marco Tardelli appear at an English club ground when Irish players are on view.
An awareness of the lingo used by the Irish players and interaction between staff, players and club managers are all vital parts of running a smooth international operation.
It is imperative that a respected replacement is found for Brady, or that the Italians at least spend more time at games in England and Scotland. Otherwise, Irish supporters should expect a serious investment in English lessons by the FAI.
