Irish 2014 World Cup Qualification Campaign – Group 3Ireland were drawn as a third seed in Group 3 of the World Cup 2014 qualification competition. The finals will be held in Brazil and the Irish will have to overcome top seeds Germany, as well as Sweden, Austria, Faroe Islands, and Kazakhstan to qualify automatically for the 2014 World Cup. Ireland last played against Germany in a competitive match in the Euro 2008 qualifiers finishing in third place in the group having lost away to the Germans and earned a draw at Lansdowne Road. Ireland’s last competitive match against Sweden was in Malmo in October 1970 in the old 1972 Nations Cup qualifiers. Ireland have never beaten Sweden in their four previous competitive matches. Ireland’s last competitive match against Austria was a dismal 1-3 home defeat during Euro 1996 qualifiers near the end of the Jack Charlton era. Ireland have beaten Austria just once in six attempts in competitive matches. In an ironic twist of fate the Faroe Islands, who were managed by former Irish manager Brian Kerr at the time, were also drawn in Group Three. A further twist is that the only time that Ireland ever played the Faroes was during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers when Kerr was the Irish manager. Ireland won both home and away matches during that campaign. Ireland and Kazakhstan had never played against each other. On the day (30 July 2011) of the draw for the 2014 World Cup qualification groups the World rankings of the teams drawn in Group three were as follows:
Following Ireland’s last qualification match on 15 October 2013 against Kazakhstan, FIFA announced the latest World rankings two days later. Ireland had fallen to 60 – the lowest level since FIFA rankings began in December 1992 and a far cry from the all time high level of six in 1992/93. Ireland’s Fixtures for World Cup 2014 Qualification
World Cup 2014 Qualifying Campaign – Group Table
Kazakhstan v Republic of Ireland – 7 September 2012Ireland’s first competative match after the disappointing performances at Euro 2012 was against Kazakhstan, ranked 142 in the World by FIFA. Following an encouraging opening when the Irish forced a series of corners Kazakhstan grew in confidence and it was not a complete surprise that the former USSR state took the lead in the 38th minute. Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni brought on Kevin Doyle and Shane Long in the second half but The Irish failed to create any clear cut opportunities. Staring a shock defeat in the face Robbie Keane won a penalty in the 88th minute. The Irish captain scored from the spot to draw the Irish level. With just seconds left in the match Kevin Doyle popped up in the Kazakhstan box to volley home to secure a fortunate and undeserved win for the boys in green. RESULT: Kazakhstan 1-2 Republic of Ireland REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Keiren Westwood (Sunderland); John O’Shea (Sunderland), Darren O’Dea (Toronto FC), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City), Stephen Ward (Wolves); James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Aidan McGeady (Spartak Moscow); Simon Cox (Nottingham Forest), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) Jon Walters (Stoke City) Subs: Kevin Doyle (Wolves) for Cox (58 mins), Shane Long (West Brom) for Walters (70 mins) Kazakhstan: Sidelnikov, Kirov, Kislitsyn, Mukhtarov, Nurdauletov, Konysbayev, Bogdanov, Ostapenko, Schmidtgal, Nusrbayev, Rozhkov Subs: Jolchiyev for Nusrbayev (69 mins), Gridin for Konysbayev (85mins) Referee: Avram Ionut Republic of Ireland v Germany – 12 October 2012Following the narrow last gasp victory over Kazakhstan Ireland welcomed mighty Germany to the Aviva Stadium for the second qualifier for the 2014 World Cup. Shorn of the core of the team for the past decade through retirement and injury Ireland struggled to contain the visitors. Very few people expected a victory for the Irish but no-one expected the shocking route that would unfold. With goals from Reus (2), Kroos (2), Klose, and a penalty from Ozil, the Irish suffered their heaviest home defeat ever. A very late consolation goal from Milwall’s Andy Keogh could do nothing to change the complexion of this disaster. Calls for Giovanni Trapattoni’s departure reached new heights after this match. RESULT: Republic of Ireland 1-6 Germany REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Keiren Westwood (Sunderland); Seamus Coleman (Everton); John O’Shea (Sunderland), Darren O’Dea (Toronto FC), Stephen Ward (Wolves); James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Keith Fahey (Birmingham City), Keith Andrews (Bolton Wanderers); Aidan McGeady (Spartak Moscow); Simon Cox (Nottingham Forest); Jon Walters (Stoke City) Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy) Faroe Islands v Republic of Ireland – 16 October 2012Amid increasing speculation about his future, Irish football manager Giovanni Trapattoni made three changes to the team that was humiliated by Germany on the previous Friday. Captain Robbie Keane returned from injury and Marc Wilson and Robbie Brady made their competitive debuts for Ireland. Following a scoreless first half the Irish began the second half in the best possible way. Fullback Wilson’s shot from the edge of the box took a slight deflection off a Faroese defender and flew past goalkeeper Nielsen. Five minutes later fellow Stoke city player Jon Walters doubled the score, although Robbie Keane claimed to have touched the ball on the way into the net. In the 69th minute Hansen headed a goal for the Faroes. It took over 20 minutes for the Irish to restore the two goal cushion and it came courtesy of an own goal by Justinussen. A late headed goal from Darren O’Dea was the icing on the cake as the Irish restored some pride after the mauling by the Germans. A good result, a better performance – but the question still remained; Would Trapattoni still be the Irish manager when Ireland travelled to Sweden in March 2013?. RESULT: Faroe Islands 1-4 Republic of Ireland REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Keiren Westwood (Sunderland); Seamus Coleman (Everton); John O’Shea (Sunderland), Darren O’Dea (Toronto FC), Mark Wilson (Stoke City); James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Manchester United), Keith Andrews (Bolton Wanderers); Aidan McGeady (Spartak Moscow); Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy); Jon Walters (Stoke City) Referee: Lorenc Jemini (Albania) Sweden v Republic of Ireland – 22 March 2013Ireland’s first competative match of 2013 was the third World Cup qualifier against Sweden in Stockholm. Despite a lot of gloomy predictions the Irish achieved a creditable 0-0 draw against a main contender for the group runner-up position. RESULT: Sweden 0-0 Republic of Ireland REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David Forde (Millwall), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), James McCarthy (Wigan), Paul Green (Leeds United), James McClean (Sunderland), John Walters (Stoke City), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (West Brom) Subs: Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City) for Keane (77 mins), Andy Keogh (Milwall) for McCLean (83 mins), Conor Sammon (Derby County) for Long (87 mins) Sweden: Andreas Isaksson; Mikael Lustig, Andreas Granqvist, Jonas Olsson, Behrang Safari; Sebastian Larsson, Kim Kallstrom, Rasmus Elm, Alexander Kacaniklic; Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Tobias Hysen Subs: Mikel Antonsson for Lustig, Ola Toivonen for Hysen, Jimmy Durmaz for S. Larsson Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco Republic of Ireland v Austria – 26 March 2013Ireland played Austria at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland’s fifth match in Group C of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni came into the match under some pressure to hold on to his job. Within 11 minutes of the kick-off his grasp of his position was loosened as a mistake by Ciaran Clarke let Martin Harnik in to slip the ball past Irish goalkeeper David Forde into the net. 1-0 to Austria. To the credit of the Irish players they fought back valiantly and when Shane Long was fouled in the Austrian box this allowed Jon Walters to equalise from the spot. The same player put the Irish into the lead just before half time when he guided his header, from a Glenn Whelan corner, into the Austrian goal. Ireland lived dangerously during the second half but the 2-1 lead stayed in tact until injury time. With less than a minute of injury time remaining Austrian dangerman Alaba saw his deflected shot nestle in the Irish net. The final whistle went just after the restart leaving the Austrians cheering and the Irish utterly dejected. In fairness a draw was probably a fair reflection of the match. This result left the three teams that were vying for the runners-up spot, Ireland, Austria and Sweden locked together on eight points. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David Forde (Millwall), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City) James McCarthy (Wigan), James McClean (Sunderland), John Walters (Stoke City), Shane Long (West Brom), Conor Sammon (Derby County) Subs: Sean St Ledger for Clark (72 Mins), Paul Green (Leeds United) for Long (83 mins) Austria: Lindner, Garics, Dragovic, Pogatetz, Fuchs; Alaba, Junuzovic, Kavlak, Arnautovic, Harnik, Hosiner. Subs: Junuzovic for Baumgartlinger (25 mins), Hosiner for Janko (62 mins), Kavlak for Weimann (69 mins) Referee: Marijo Strahonja (Croatia) Republic of Ireland v Faroe Islands – 07 June 2013Ireland played the Faroes at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland’s sixth match in Group C of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The Irish got off to a flyer through an early goal from captain Robbie Keane. Keane earned his 126th cap on the night making him the outright record Irish cap holder. The skipper went on to celebrate this special occasion by scoring his 58th and 59th goals for Ireland as the Irish ran out 3-0 winners. This result kept Ireland in contention for a play-off position in the group although a home win by Austria over Sweden left the Austrians in second place in the group. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David Forde (Millwall), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Aidan McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Simon Cox (Nottingham Forest), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), John Walters (Stoke City), Subs: Conor Sammon (Derby County) for Walters (73 mins), James McClean (Sunderland) for McGeady (76 mins), Stephen Kelly (Fulham) for Wilson (81 mins) Faroe Islands: G. Nielsen, P. Justinussen, J. Frederiksberg, A. Gregersen, H. Vatnsda, R. Baldvinsson, S. Samuelsen, S. Olsen, C. Holst, P. Klettskard, Á. Jónsson Subs: J. Edmundsson for P. Klettskard 64′, H. Samuelsen for C. Holst 84′ Referee: M. Gestranius (Finland) Republic of Ireland v Sweden – 06 September 2013Ireland played Sweden at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland’s seventh match in Group C of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Robbie Keane’s 60th goal for his country was not enough to stave off defeat by the Swedes. Inspired by Ibrahamovic, Sweden recovered from going a goal down to claim a vital three points away from home. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David Forde (Millwall), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Richard Dunne (QPR), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Everton), Shane Long (WBA), James McClean (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), John Walters (Stoke City) Subs: Simon Cox (Nottingham Forest) for Walters 68′, Anthony Pilkington (Norwich) for McClean 74′; Sweden: Andreas ISAKSSON, Mikael LUSTIG, Per NILSSON, Martin OLSSON, Albin EKDAL, Sebastian LARSSON, Anders SVENSSON, Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC, Mikael ANTONSSON, Alexander KACANIKLIC Subs: Adam JOHANSSO for LUSTIG (65′); Pontus WERNBLOOM for SVENSSON (68′); Jonas OLSSON for Elmander (90’+2′) Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN) Austria v Republic of Ireland – 10 September 2013Ireland’s campaign to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil effectively ended as Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni suffered his first competitive defeat away from home. After a promising start in a must-win match against Austria in Vienna the Irish slumped to a second consecutive loss. Not only did this end Ireland’s direct interest in the 2014 World Cup finals, it also signalled the end of Trapattoni’s controversial reign as Irish manager – he resigned from the position the next morning. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David Forde (Millwall), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Richard Dunne (QPR), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Paul Green (Leeds United), James McCarthy (Everton), Shane Long (WBA), Anthony Pilkington (Norwich), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), John Walters (Stoke City). Subs: Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa) for O’Shea (49′), James McClean (Sunderland), for Pilkington 73′, Conor Sammon (Derby County) for Lomg (81′). Sweden: Robert ALMER, Gyorgy GARICS, Aleksandar DRAGOVIC, Christian FUCHS (C), David ALABA, Andreas WEIMANN, Martin HARNIK, Julian BAUMGARTLINGE, Sebastian PROEDL, Guido BURGSTALLER, Veli KAVLAK Subs: Adam JOHANSSO for LUSTIG (65′); Pontus WERNBLOOM for SVENSSON (68′); Jonas OLSSON for Elmander (90’+2′) Referee: Olegário Benquerenca (POR) Germany v Republic of Ireland – 11 October 2013Due to a combination of injuries and suspensions caretaker Irish manager Noel King (who succeeded Giovanni Trapattoni) sent out a relatively inexperienced Irish side against the second ranked team in the World, Germany. The umbeaten Germans had already thrashed Ireland 6-1 in Dublin earlier in the group. It didn’t take long before the superior class of the Germans became evident. Within 12 minutes a delected shot from Sami Khedira left David Forde stranded and the Irish 1-0 down. That was the half-time score but it could have been level if a Kevin Doyle header had sneaked under the German cross-bar rather than crashing back off it. However 13 minutes into the second half Schuerrle doubled the German’s advantage. Arsenal’s Ozil added cream on the cake in added time thereby ensuring Germany’s participation in the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil. It also officially ended Ireland’s very slim hopes coming into the match. Germany: Neuer; Jansen, Mertesacker, Boateng, Lahm; Khedira (Kruse 82 mins),Schweinsteiger; Kroos, Özil, Schürrle (Gotze 86 mins); Muller (Sam 88 mins). REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David Forde (Millwall); Seamus Coleman (Everton), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Stephen Kelly (Reading); Darron Gibson (Everton), Marc Wilson (Stoke City); James McCarthy (Everton), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers); Anthony Stokes (Celtic). Referee: Serge Gumienny (Belgium). Republic of Ireland v Kazakhstan – 15 October 2013The Republic of Ireland team ended the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign as it began – with a victory over Kazakhstan. In terms of qualification for the finals the match was a dead rubber as neither team could make Brazil in 2014. However ranking for future qualification campaigns was an issue and therefore the Republic needed to win. Caretaker manager Noel King sent out an attacking formation and duly dominated possession delivering the desired result. This was despite the fact that the Irish fell behind to a stunning goal from Dmitriy Shomko after just 12 minutes. Ireland’s record goal scorer Robbie Keane equalised through a penalty just four minutes later. Less than ten minutes later a rare goal from John O’Shea gave Ireland the lead and the win was sealed in the second half when Shomko scored again – into his own net after 78 minutes. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David Forde (Millwall); Seamus Coleman (Everton), Richard Dunne(Aston Villa), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Marc Wilson (Stoke City); Darron Gibson (Everton), James McCarthy (Everton), Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest); Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers); Anthony Stokes (Celtic); Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy). Subs: Glenn Whelan (Stoke City) for Gibson (37′); Aidan McGeady (Spartak Moscow) for Reid (75′); Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City) for Stokes (87′) Kazakhstan: Andrey SIDELNIKOV; Mark GURMAN; Andrey KARPOVICH; Alexandr KISLITSYN; Viktor DMITRENKO; Aleksey SHCHETKIN; Konstantin ENGEL; Maksat Baizhanov; Dmitriy SHOMKO; Sergey KHIZHNICHENKO; Valerij KOROBKIN. Subs: Andrey FINONCHENKO for KISLITSYN (32′); Igor JURIN for SHCHETKIN (61′); Pavel SHABALIN for KARPOVICH (84′). Referee: Serge Gumienny (Belgium). World Cup 2014 Qualifying Campaign Results
Irish World Cup Qualifying Group Results
Number of Appearances and Goals Scored in Irish World Cup Qualifying Campaigns
Irish European Championship Qualifying Group Results
Number of Appearances and Goals Scored in Irish Euro Championship Finals Qualifying Campaigns
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November 21, 2024
Soccer Clubs, Republic of Ireland Match Results & Statistics, Player, Managers, pitches & grounds : World Cup & Euro Qualfication Campaigns
