Conference trucks::football;1

    
    This group contains
    
    		Republic of Ireland
    		Portugal
    		Northern Ireland
    		Austria
    		Latvia
    		Liechtenstein.

    
    Good draw for the Republic.  There's general dismay here at getting
    Northern Ireland again but I think that's crazy.  They're the weakest
    of the 3rd seeds.
    
    Portugal are dangerous opponents.  They almost qualified for the world
    cup.  Austria are in decline but Casino Salzburg are the quarter finals
    of the UEFA Cup.  We must have a great chance of qualifying.
    
    Liechtenstein (sp?) are the whipping boys.  We should get 4 points from
    Latvia.
    
    As for travel, well Lisbon and Vienna are 2 cities I want to see. 
    Belfast is a short trip.  I don't know much about Vaduz but it's
    supposed to be very expensive.
    
    Gary.

    
    This group contains
    
    		Republic of Ireland
    		Portugal
    		Northern Ireland
    		Austria
    		Latvia
    		Liechtenstein.

Great draw for the republic and we should qualify along with Portugal. Difficult
to know which of the two will finish top. Looks like Austria will come in third
with Latvia probably fourth and the whipping boys of Northern Ireland and
Leichtinstein vying for the bottom place.


C U N N O

    Pred:
    1. Portugal
    2. Republic of Ireland
    3. Northern Ireland
    4. Austria
    5. Latvia
    6. Liechtenstein.

    heiko
    
    

    
    In disagreement.
    
    Pred:
    1. Rep. of Ireland
    2. N.Ireland
    3. Austria
    4. Portugal
    5. Latvia
    6. Liechtenstein.
    
    I think N.Ireland are on their way back.
    
    Se�n	
                                            

    
    Have to agree with Sean. N. Ireland are on the way up. They are going
    to utilise the granny rule from now on and will obviously aquire a few
    good players. The only out standing question is who the new manager
    will be ?
    
    Tough group IMO. Portugal are no pushovers and neither are Austria. I
    feel that we will do well to qualify and I'll keep my predictions until
    after the World Cup.
    
    Peter(An Impartial Celt)

    
    Gary,
    
    	Jerry knows all about Vaduz. He went there on the weekend to get
    away from Una. Liechtenstein is a very small "country". It is one of
    the few countries (only one??) to have an international rail link
    (Switzerland-Austria) but no station. Vaduz is the only "large" town.
    The main industries in Leichtenstein are false teeth and tourism - both
    of which may positively benefit from the forthcoming matches!
    	I don't remember seeing any football facilities but there are some
    nice restaurants and hotels! The place is very "close" to Switzerland -
    not just geographically - the Swiss PTT running the Post & Telecoms &
    the Yellow Swiss Post-Buses providing transport.
    
    	If you intend to come out for the game, you'll probably either
    drive or fly to Z�rich. In either case, I would recomend spending a
    few days over here to have a look around. Jerry has recently moved into
    an appartment on his own, and as long as his troubles with Una are put
    to ret, I'm sure we would welcome a few countrymen - esspecially if
    they happened to be carrying a few hundred cans of DRAUGHT GUINNESS....
    In fact, my cellar may even be finished by then!
    	
	I can see this turning into a FOOTBALL notes convention. Hope
    Jerry's neighbours won't mind!
    
    JBG

    Thanks Jon,
    
    Unfortunately, I think I have to, errr,  go to a funeral that week.  
    However, I might be able to arrange to meet anyone who brings enough 
    Guinness with them  ;-)
    
    Jerry.

    
    
    Hi,
    
    Does anyone know the shedule for this group?
    I know that there was a meeting in Dublin with all countrys.
    Thanks in advance,
    
    Luis.

    1994 	20th April	N.Ireland     v Liechtenstein
    
                7th  September  N.Ireland     v Portugal
    				Latvia 	      v R. of Ireland
               
    		12th October  	Austria       v N.Ireland
                            	R. of Ireland v Liechtenstein
                
      		16th November	N.Ireland     v R. of Ireland
    
    1995 	29th March   	R. of Ireland v N.Ireland
    
             	26th April   	R. of Ireland v Portugal
                            	Latvia        v N.Ireland
    
             	4th  June     	Liechtenstein v R. of Ireland
    
                7th  June     	N.Ireland     v Latvia
    
                11th June    	R. of Ireland v Austria
    
                3rd September   Portugal      v N.Ireland
    
                6th September	Austria       v R. of Ireland
    
                11th October	R. of Ireland v Latvia
                            	Liechtenstein v N.Ireland
    
                15th November	Portugal      v R. of Ireland
                            	N.Ireland     v Austria
    
    

    
    re. -10
    
    You've put only the Ireland (R. and N.) games.Do you know the all dates
    for Portugal?
    
    Thanks in advance,
    
    Luis.

    
    Apologies Luis, I've got the list at home, I'll try and remember to
    bring them in tomorrow.
    
    Se�n

Luis, the conference has been in Vienna, I'll seacrh for the complete teams.

Our Austrian football team is not very well today, but we have good 
international players in the German league .

But Austria has in everytime good matches against the Portuguese (Casino
Salzburg has won against Portuguese in UEFA Cup, too), and this team Salzburg
has talentic young players.

I think that the Austrian team is able to get the 2nd place.

My tip:

1. Ireland (I think , this should be the best team)
2. Austria or N.Ireland
4. Portugal
5. Latvia
6. Liechtenstein

I think, that is the same tip as Sean's (entry 5), with the different
he naturally thinks for N.Ireland and I for Austria. 

Austria has played last year against Latvia inVienna (3:0 for Austria)

greetings, Heribert

Casino Salzburg is in the Semifinal of the UEFA Cup

The Austrian team had a famous game in Germany. 75 Minutes with 10 players
in this game. (0:1) 
After winning in Austria 1:0 Salzburg has won the penalty-shooting.

Benfica Lissabon has played in germany against Bayer Leverkusen 4:4. (Game in
Portugal 1:1).
Both German teams are out of the Cup. An Austrian and a Portuguese Team are in
the Semi-Final.

The EM Group 6 should be very interesting.

Heribert

    half time score in the Republic of ireland v Russia game, 0-0, I'm told
    that Russia had a goal disallowed just before half time....
    Ray

    SOmething like this (from today's paper)
    THree new caps... A few old faces.... I forget who's left
    midfield....
    
    
    			Bonner
    
    	Gary Kelly                         	Eddie McGoldrick
    		     Phil Babb     Brian Carey
    
        McAteer    Whelan     O'Brien   ??????
    
    		     Cascarino   Kelly
    

    0-0 is the final score.. :->
    
    Rick.

    Northern Ireland 4 - 1 Liechtenstein
    
    The scorer for Liechtenstein was treated like some sort of national
    hero after poking the ball past Tommy Wright 7 minutes from the end.
    
    I would expect a few high scores in this group.
    
    Kev...

    It was the *only* international goal they've ever scored!!
    
    Paul.
    

    
    Northern Ireland Surge head :-)
    
    
    Team		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
    
    Northern Ireland     1	1	0	0	 4	 1	 2
    Austria		 0	0	0	0	 0	 0	 0
    Latvia		 0	0 	0 	0	 0	 0	 0
    Portugal		 0	0	0	0	 0	 0	 0
    Republic of Ireland	 0	0 	0	0	 0	 0	 0
    Liechtenstein	 1	0	0	1	 1	 4	 0
    
    

    god can't they even let the World Cup get over with before starting on
    yet another competition. A mere 2 years and 2 months to go to Engerland
    1996....
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

European Championship Group 6

		Northern Ireland 4 Liechtenstein 1

Northenr Ireland will never be as disappointed with a 4-1 victory.  The 
amateurs from this tiny state surely  comprise the weakest team in Europe
but the expected hatful of goals failed to materialise.   It all started
so well.  Jimmy Quinn scored after 4 minutes.  Lomax and Quinn again had 2
more before the break as Magilton also hit the bar.  Dowie made it 4 after 48
minutes but Northern Ireland still failed to impress against a side that would
struggle to survive in the Irish League.  After 84 minutes the incredible
happened -- Liechtenstein scored.  A free kick on the left fell to Hasler
who volleyed home.

    re .21
    
    I thought that there was 3 points awarded for a win this time round....
    
    Ray....

    Any team news for this week's match....has Roy Keane got over his
    injury?...
    
    I hope Coyne starts up front because he has been in cracking form so
    far in the Scottish League, McAteer looks like he's doing the business
    again for Bolton and, for future reference, Noel Whelan looks a great
    prospect judging by his recent performances for Leeds....
    
    Ray....

The Irish Team for tonights game against Latvia (6 o'clock ko our time) is ...

                           Alan Kelly

Irwin              Babb            McGrath                Gary Kelly

McAteer            Sheridan        Townsend               Staunton

                   Aldridge(?)      Quinn


I don't know the Latvians selection.


Fintan
    

	I cant complain about the selection but why doesnt jack leave kelly on
the right and put denis on the left. The reason he gave during the WC was that
he never liked right footed players on the left. But What's Kelly going to do
now, isnt he right footed??? Also Denis has always played well for Utd in that
position....

Irwin will play at left-back.

�@

re .25

Noel Whelan was capped for England underage so I don't think there's much of a
chance of him getting on the Irish team sometime soon.

re .28

Does Gary Kelly playing on the right wing mean that he has taken over the mantle
of the best right back in the English league since he's displaced Denis Irwin
who was formerly owner of that title?

                               James.

    
    Denis Irwin is a left back!!!!
    
    JBG

    Yesterday's results in full:                                
    
    
    	Latvia   	  0  -  3  	Rep. Ireland
    
    	N. Ireland  	  1  -  2	Portugal
    
    	Liechtenstein	  0  -  4  	Austria
    
    
    
    I know it's early days but, by my reckoning :-
    
                       P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts   GD
    Austria            1  1  0  0  4  0   3    +4
    Rep. Ireland       1  1  0  0  3  0   3    +3
    N. Ireland         2  1  0  1  5  3   3    +2
    Portugal           1  1  0  0  2  1   3    +1
    Latvia             1  0  0  1  0  3   0    -3
    Liechtenstein      2  0  0  2  1  8   0    -7
    
    
    
    Good to see Niall Quinn back in the Green Shirt (I was listening on
    radio, so forgive me if it wasn't actually Green !), and even better to
    see him (hear him) combining well with Aldo up front. If he'ld been
    avaialble for the WC, Brazil might not be Champions now !   (OK so it's
    BS, but it's obligatory to say things like that ;-)
    
    
    Jerry.
    
    
    BTW: Does anyone know where the Liechtenstein/Austria game was played.
    I saw some of it on Austrian TV, and the ground looked a lot like
    Waterford United's new ground (the local corporation pitch !).

The game has been played in Vaduz. Austria is the first in this group -
I think, this is the exception in this group.

The situation in our national team is not the best today. The Clubs are
better in the European rank than ou national-team.

Austrias Anton Polster (FC K�ln) has shot 3 goals.

Heribert

    Alan Kelly won't be playing this week against Liechtenstein, a hand
    injury I think....
    
    Ray....

LATVIA - PORTUGAL        1:3  (0:1)
2000, 

0:1	  Joao Pinto  (33.)
0:2       Pinto  (72.)
0:3       Figo   (73.)
1:3       Milewskij (88.) , he is playing in Austria in the 3rd division !!


Wednesday: Austria - N.Ireland 

	   Liechtenstein - Ireland

 Curious: Irleand's Jacky Charlton will not coach his team in Ireland, 
 he will watch the match in Vienna.

Heribert

Is Wednesday's game in Lansdowne Rd an evening kick off?  Anyone know
the exact time?


Shane

    According to SKY Sports the KO is at 7.30pm local time.

The game is on at 7.30pm local time.

    the Irish squad to meet Liechtenstein is (according to the Dialy
    Record);
    
    Bonner
    Irwin
    Kelly
    Babb
    Kernaghan
    McGoldrick
    McAteer
    Sheridan
    Staunton
    Quinn
    Coyne
    
    This looks like a strong attacking line-up. We should score at least
    the half dozen tonight....
    
    Ray....
    

    >>This looks like a strong attacking line-up. We should score at least
    >>the half dozen tonight....
 

I'll believe it when I see it Ray.
It's more likely to be frustrating game spent thinking 

"This team could score a half dozen if they just stopped bombing the ball into
Quinn all the time"

    What? No Cascarino in the squad? Too old?
    
    /JF

    As far as I remember Tony Cascarino is in the squad, he's just in the
    first eleven. Quinnie scored twice for City at the weekend and seems to
    be back on form.  Hopefully he can benefit from having Kelly, Irwin and
    McAteer using the wings and getting in some decent crosses.
    
    I'll be tuning in to RTE Radio 1 on Astra tonight. That means, tragically, 
    that I won't be able to watch England v Romania so I'll have to make do
    with Switzerland v Sweden (which I'ld have gone to see anyway if Ireland
    weren't playing at the same time !).
    
    Ireland   5   1  Liechtenstein
    
    Quinn 2          The postman !
    Coyne 1
    Irwin 1
    Bonner 1  ;-)
    
    
    Jerry.

    HOT OFF THE PRESSES....
    
    Tony Cascarino dropped from Ireland team for Euro Championship
    Qualifier...
    
    Rumours abound that Cascarino has been dropped by Jack Charlton for
    persistently telling him that he had scored goals with his feet. Big
    Jack was quoted as saying that he could not risk Cascarino when he was
    obviously taking drugs 8-)
    
    Stuart

An interesting aspect of the Game tonight will be the Playing of "God Save the
Queen" at Landsdown road this evening. 
This will be the first time that this music has been played at Landsdown, the
reason being that  Liechtenstein being too small to provide a composer capable
of writing anything that differs from your average Eurovision entry have decided
to nick/sample the music from the British National Anthem and add their own
lyrics. No accounting for taste. "God save the Prince" is the name I think.

This info. comes from the most reliable Gary Spain so I take no credit and make
no claim that is is accurate.

The crowds reaction will be interesting to note ;-)


Peter.

    
    	..least Jack'll recognise the tune this time...;-)
    
    	Andy.

    re -1
    
    That'll be no mean feat as Big Jack is in Austria tonight
    
    F.

    
    As will most of the players....
    
    Neil...

    Re .41
    
    Jerry,
    
    N.Ireland v Austria is 7.30pm kick-off.  
    
    I was surprised Alan McLoughlin did'nt make the first 11. Charlton
    seems to have great faith in McGoldrick as he was used in the World
    Cup. Looks like McLoughlin will never feature again if he can't make
    the team to play lick10stein.
    
    Tom Mc.

    Thanks Tom,
    
    Re: McLoughlin
    
    I seem to remember reading somewhere that Jack wasn't happy with his
    work-rate. If you compare his somewhat more relaxed (although in my
    opinion more effective) style to McGoldrick's headless chicken routine,
    then I suppose you could see where Jack got the idea ;-)
    
    I hope I've got enough Guinness in the fridge !
    
    Jerry.
    

Our team coach Herbert Prohaska is very nervous, he said yesterday:
"Austria has not to win against North.Ireland."

I think, if Austria will not win, we can forget to play in England at the
EC. 

Heribert

    Results from last night:
    
    Rep. Ireland (3) 4   Lichtenstein (0) 0
    
    Coyne (2)
    Quinn(2)
    
    Great start with 2 goals in 5 minutes. Loads of misses before
    Quinn got the third before half-time. We lost our way a bit in
    the second half, lots of workrate but not many chances. Quinn
    got number four in the last five minutes. The radio commentry
    panel were saying great things at half time, about how we
    were going to beat the all time record (8-0 v Malta) but it
    never happened. 
    
    Austria      (1) 1   Nor. Ireland (1) 2
    
    Polster (pen)        Gillespie, Gray
    
    Saw the goals on TV (they said it was a "physical" game).
    Super volley by Gillespie, a real Van Basten effort. 
    Austria equalised with a dodgy enough penalty. NI scored
    in the second half with a shot by Gray (good finish).
    
    Three teams at the top, Republic, Portugal and NI.
    
    At this early stage, it seems like a three horse race,
                    
    Jim.
    
       

to 50

Jim, not all correct. Northern Ireland shot the 2:1 in the 37.min.
Austria such as Salzburg, many chances - only one goal as penalty.

Northern Ireland had two chances and have made two goals. They have played
a good football, only with one exception: the brutal foul of goalie Kee against
the Austrian Ogris - all other referees had given him the "red card".

Austria has no good team today, I think, now Ireland and Portugal are shown
as qualified for the EC.

AUSTRIA - NORTHERN IRELAND    1:2  (1:2)

3.  O:1 Gillespie
20. 1:1 Polster 
32. 1:2 Gray

Goal-shots: 15 Austria, 8 Northern Ireland
Corners:    7 - 5
Yellow Cards: 2-3

Finally: Austria cannot win against any British (Irish) team.



1.	IRLAND		2 2 0 0  7:0   6
2.	NORTH.IRELAND   3 2 0 1  7:4   6
3.	PORTUGAL	2 2 0 0  5:2   6
4.	AUSTRIA		2 1 0 1  5:2   3
5.	LATVIA		2 0 0 2  1:6   0
6.	LIECNTENSTEIN   3 0 0 3  1:12  0


Heribert

    Heribert,
    
    Where will the Austria V Ireland (Rep. of) game be played (and when) ?
    
    - Cheers,
    
    Robin

    Robin,
    
    Ireland play Austria in Dublin on 11.06.95 and make the trip to Vienna
    on 06.09.95.  No need to rush out and buy your tickets just yet ;-)
    
    Jerry.

Robin,

In Austria there will be no problems with buying tickets.
Salzburg has 40 - 50.000 spectators in Champions League, FC Innsbruck
20.000 in home matches and the national team 5 - 20.000 in Vienna.
(The Vienna Stadium allows 60.000)

The next matches in group 6:

13.11.	Portugal - Austria 

15.11.	Liechtenstein - Latvia

16.11. 	Northern Ireland - Ireland

Heribert

    why's everyone so upset in Ireland???? I've heard something about a
    book which has upset Big Jack in a big way and there's talk of Jack 
    stepping down from the job....details please....
    
    Ray....

    Ray... 
    
    It's all about a new book just out called "The Team that Jack
    Built". It's written by a BBC World Service journalist by the name
    of Paul Rowan (I think).
    
    The book chronicles the progression of the Irsh soccer team from the 
    days of long ago to the successful side we now have...
    
    Anyway, the author interviewed Jack (or so he says) and this is where
    all the grief is coming from. Jack swears it was off the record
    and the writer says it was fair game. Jack says he had the tape 
    machine on when he Jack thought it was off. All this happened on a three
    hour car journey and Jack talked about his life and times and the
    people that pis*ed him off, for example the quotes  that are getting
    all the publicity are:
    
    	- he called Liam Tuohy a f***in sh*thouse about the way he
    	  resigned from the youth team. He said that he was glad to 
          have stuffed it up his a**e 
    
    	- he called Frank Stapleton a fu**in moaner and said he should
          never have brought him to Italia 90.
    
    	- He gave his versions of the "irish mafia" in the team...
    
    	- he said he played Brady and Stapleton against Germany just
          to prove to the Irish public that they were past it. When 
    	  Germany scored he took Brady off straight away.
    
    Apparently when Jack realised he had been taped he had a huge row 
    with the author (in a hotel), and said that he couldn't publish the 
    recording. He did, and now we have a bit of a controversy...
    
    I think the book goes on sale this week, it's about 12 quid,
    
    Jim.
    

    I don't see what the fuss is about. The stuff he said about Stapleton
    was definitely true whilst the Brady part is open to debate. 
    
    BTW, who is Liam Tuohy?

    >>BTW, who is Liam Tuohy?

He's a little F**king shithouse !

    >>BTW, who is Liam Tuohy?
    
    He once managed the national side in the 70s and when Jack
    became manager he was responsible for the youth team. He's
    the "footballing" type who doesn't rate "kick and rush" too
    highly. The story goes that back in '86 the youths were playing
    against England at Elland Road, and were 2-0 down at the interval.
    
    Jack had just become manager so Liam had invited him to come into
    the dressing room at half-time. Jack was mad at what he saw in the
    first half, they were trying to play too much football for his 
    liking. When he came into the dressing room he started roaring
    at everyone straight away instead of letting Liam Touhy have his
    teamtalk. He called the shots and Touhy saw this as undermining his 
    role so he resigned the next day!
    
    Don't think they've been buddies ever since....
    
    Jim.
    
    
     

Before Portugal - Austria next Sunday:

Austrian coach Prohaska shows "strength":

Teamgoalie Franz Wohlfarth had a disput with the referee last weekend and now to
pause for 3 games. Prohaska dismissed him of the team for this EC match.

Austrias best player Andreas Herzog (Werder Bremen) has come to late to the
last teamcamps. Now he is dismissed from the team.

Austrias best forwards Pfeifenberger and Ogris are injured and cannot play.
 
Consequences: In Austria's goal Otto Konrad (Austria Salzburg) will stand.
In the opinion of most of the Austrians he is the No.1 in our goal.
(Wohlfarth and Konrad have the same strength).


Heribert

You're always very honest with your predictions Heribert - do you think you've 
got a chance against Portugal?

g

The great chance of Austria is to be outsider in this match.

Would all players from the Europacup teams Salzburg (incl. Otto Konrad) , 
Austria Wien and FC Tirol Innsbruck play as in EC and the goalgetter Anton
Polster (FC K�ln, 2nd in Germany) shoot as in Germany, there will be a chance
for a remis.

Chances 70:30 for Portugal

Heribert

    
    re.62
    
    I'm sorry Heribert but i think you're right. Portugal is playing very
    well with very young ( and very good !) players like
    R.Costa(Fiorentina) , J.Pinto(Benfica) , P.Sousa (Juventus) , Figo
    (Sporting) , F.Couto (Parma) , V.Baia (Porto) etc...mixed with very 
    experient players like J.Pinto ( Porto) , Oceano (Sporting) , R.Barros
    ( Porto) , 	Domingos (Porto)...
    I think this is our best team in many years and i think that we're
    going to be a big surprise , let's wait and see...
    
    
    Luis.

PORTUGAL - AUSTRIA     1:0  (1:0)

No chance for Austria for any point.
It was a non interesting and very hard match - 8 yellow cards and one red (for
Austrias Stoeger - but this has been no red card).

Austria had 0 (!) goal-shots in 90 minutes, Portugal 0 in the 2nd halftime.

18th minute : penalty for Portugal , bar-shot Oceano
37.:          1:0 Figo 
this had been enough for Austria.

Portugal has been the better team, Austria national-team shows much weakness.
Not to compare with the Clubs in Europacup.



1. PORTUGAL		3 3 0 0 6:2  9
2. IRELAND		2 3 0 0 7:0  6
3. NORTH.IRELAND	3 2 0 1 7:4  6
4. AUSTRIA		3 1 0 2 5:3  3
5. LATVIA		2 0 0 2 1:6  0
6. LIECHTENSTEIN	3 0 0 3 1:12 0

It looks good for Portugal and Ireland.


Heribert

    
    
    Once again , you're right Heribert. I was at Alvalade stadium and i saw
    a bad football game . No goal chances ( except the penalty and the
    goal) , too much faults , too much yellow cards...
    The only good thing was the victory and the 3 points.The rest...,i
    think i'll forget it...
    
    Luis.

re: .64...

I'd say it looks good for Ireland - Played 2, Won 3 !!

Norman ;-)

    does any kind soul around Ayr have access to any of the Northern Irish
    TV stations?...otherwise it's ear glued to the radio again for
    Wednesday night's game and Jim Beglin's cliches driving me round the
    twist....
    
    Ray....

Try the Wheelbarrows - they had the FA Cup Final using BBC NI.

    The Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland match (as per all other
    major sports events involving Ireland) can be seen live on TV at the 
    following pubs in Munich:
    
    	The Shamrock
    	The Dubliner
    	Shananigans
    
    - Robin

to 66:

sorry for the mistake in the table.
But it looks good for Ireland with the correct table.

1. PORTUGAL		3 3 0 0 6:2  9
2. IRELAND		2 2 0 0 7:0  6
3. NORTH.IRELAND	3 2 0 1 7:4  6
4. AUSTRIA		3 1 0 2 5:3  3
5. LATVIA		2 0 0 2 1:6  0
6. LIECHTENSTEIN	3 0 0 3 1:12 0

Heribert

    .68
    
    John,
    
    the problem is that the Jocks -v- Russia is on that night as well so I
    don't think I'd be too popular if I changed channels to the Irish game....
    looks like RTE Radio again....
    
    any team news????....
    
    Ray....

LIECHTENSTEIN  -  LATVIA    0:1  (0:1)

1. PORTUGAL		3 3 0 0 6:2  9
2. IRELAND		2 2 0 0 7:0  6
3. NORTH.IRELAND	3 2 0 1 7:4  6
4. AUSTRIA		3 1 0 2 5:3  3
5. LATVIA		3 1 0 2 2:6  3
6. LIECHTENSTEIN	4 0 0 4 1:13 0


Heribert

    come on the Republic!!!!
    
    I fancy us to get a win tonight in Belfast, keeping up the pressure on
    Portugal....
    
    it'll be interseting to see whether Jack plays Aldo or Coyne up front,
    as both of them are playing some great stuff at the moment, (both
    top-scorers in their divisions)....
    
    3 - 1 to the RoI   8-|)
    Ray....

    the team for tonights game is.....
    
                              Kelly
      Kelly(G)        McGrath       Babb        Irwin
    
      Sheridan        Keane       Townsend      Staunton
    
                      Quinn       Aldridge
    
    
     Here's hoping for a win for the Republic!!!!!!!!
    

    
    Result
    
    Northern Ireland......0    Republic of Ireland.....4

    Ireland were very effective last night, and N. Ireland were just plain
    awful, (at least from the highlights that I saw). You have to blame
    their goalie for the first and last goals. Nice to see Keane score his
    first goal for the Republic last night. He must be mad, though, to put
    off his operation for the next few months. Also, what a flick by Quinn
    to lay on number 3 for Sheridan, absolute class....onwards and upwards,
    Ireland now lead the group on goal difference from Portugal,, (+11 to
    +4)....
    
    it looks odds-on that us and Portugal will be fighting it out to win
    this group....
    
    Ray....

    A great result on the pitch. First ever win in Windsor Park and we did
    it in style.  An even better aspect of last night's game was the
    atmosphere and the absence of all the security concerns etc. from the
    build-up.  It seems that we've come a long way since the rathole in
    this conference around the time of this fixture last year.  Long may it
    continue.
    
    
    The story so far :
    
    
20.04.94     N.Ireland 	    4  1   Liechtenstein
    
07.09.94     N. Ireland     1  2   Portugal
    	     Latvia	    0  3   R. of Ireland
 	     Liechtenstein  0  4   Austria 

08.10.94     Latvia	    1  3   Portugal

12.10.94     Austria 	    1  2   N. Ireland
             Rep. Ireland   4  0   Liechtenstein
                
13.11.94     Portugal	    1  0   Austria
15.11.94     Liechtenstein  0  1   Latvia
16.11.94     N. Ireland	    0  4   Rep. Ireland


                       P  W  D  L   F   A  Pts   GD
    Rep. Ireland       3  3  0  0  11   0   9    +11
    Portugal           3  3  0  0   6   2   9    +4
    N. Ireland         4  2  0  2   7   8   6    -1
    Austria            3  1  0  2   5   3   3    +2
    Latvia             3  1  0  2   2   6   3    -4
    Liechtenstein      4  0  0  4   1  13   0    -12
    


    (I had thought that Tuesday's Liechtenstein v Latvia was in Riga, but
    Heribert gives the result in .72 as a home game for Liechtenstein and
    I'm sure he wouldn't lie to us ;-))

    
    Next Ireland game takes place on March 29th next year, when we play
    Northern Ireland in the return match from last night. What odds on 8-0
    ;-))).   I don't have the complete fixture list, so maybe Heribert or
    Luis can tell us when their next games take place.
    
    Jerry.

Back from Belfast.  Gary will post his usual excellent in-depth match
report later.  Just some impressions from the trip to Belfast and
the match in Windsor for those of you that are interested...

We left Dublin about 2.30 with Gary 'Schumacher' Spain behind the wheel.
On the way we were treated to all the old Ireland World Cup songs from a 
wide variety of tapes that Gary brought with him (I knew that somebody had 
to be buying them all).  After arriving in Belfast, we went for something 
to eat and arrived at the ground about 90 minutes before kick-off.  We 
hung around outside for a while and spoke to some  Irish reporters 
that we recognised.  I asked Brendan McKenna of the Irish Press whether 
the team had been announced but he said that he had just arrived and 
hadn't heard it.  We decided to go into the ground about 45 minutes before 
the game and took up our seats in the upper deck of the North Stand (ie 
the stand facing the TV cameras).  The ground only really started to fill 
up with about 15 minutes to go to kick-off.  The thing that struck me most 
of all initially were all these strange people going around wearing red, 
white and blue scarves.  Maybe they had lost their way to Glasgow.  There 
were relatively few Northern supporters wearing green.  


After standing for a rousing version of God Save the Queen, we settled 
down to watch the match.  (Note:  We didn't sing.)  After only 6 minutes,
an Aldridge header from a Denis Irwin corner beat Paul Kee.  Gary (wearing 
a bright yellow-mustard colour jacket) immediately jumped out of his seat.  I
followed him but sat down quite quite quickly.  Five minutes later a
side-footed Roy Keane shot beat the hapless Kee.  This time we were
spotted :-).  


Things started to turn quite ugly around the ground after the second goal. 
A number of scuffles broke out as the Northern Ireland supporters realised 
that being two goals down after 10 minutes probably meant that they were 
already beaten.  Shouts of 'There's a Fenian in the yellow jacket', meant 
that a large number of people with murder in their eyes turned in our 
direction and we had to keep our heads below the parapet for quite some time.
A number of Bohs supporters a few rows  in front of us were forced 
from their seats by the bigots.  About 8 minutes before half time an 
absolutely superb goal by John Sheridan clinched the game for the 
Republic.  Things were fairly quiet during the half time interval and I 
got chatting to a Portadown supporter of Northern Ireland.  He offered me 
a bottle of beer which I was glad to accept.  In fairness, it must be said 
that the majority of North supporters in the immediate vicinity around us 
were decent people.


After an early second-half goal by Andy Townsend, the Republic were 
content to play out the game.  Some N.I. supporters started to leave about 
20 minutes before the end of the game.  An exodus began about 10 minutes 
before the end.  It was a sweet sight!  We decided that discretion being 
the better part of valour, we would leave just before the final whistle. 
So, just about before the end, we left our seats.  A matter of seconds 
later the referee blew the final whistle.  We made our way swiftly to the 
car, with the infamous 'yellow jacket' rolled up.  When we got into the 
car we all let out a collective roar and turned on the Ireland World Cup 
tapes.  We were over the border only 60 minutes after the final whistle 
sounded.


Some points:

1.  An excellent performance against an admittedly weakened side.

2.  The North patently missed McDonald (especially), Lomas and Quinn.
    The late withdrawal of Tommy Wright was a major blow to them.

3.  Does Gary Spain always drive so fast?

4.  Never go to Windsor Park with a man wearing a yellow jacket.


John.

    
    A good win for the Republic and that's that ONE out of the way.
    Hopefully the match in Lisbon this time next year will not need a
    result to get to the green fields of England. However, on a note of
    caution, I watched the match between Portugal and Austria. The referee
    controlling this game was obviously away on an island for the last year
    as he didn't seem to enforce the FIFA directives as brought in for the
    World Cup. Of all the matches I've seen since the 17th June, this has
    got to be the most blatant ignorance of these directives. Austria
    (sorry Heribert) and the Viennese team that played Chelsea last week
    are the dirtiest I've seen in a long time. Having said that, Portugal
    weren't much better. The match was no more than a slog.
    
    I hope Jack is prepared for such tactics....
    
    Dezzz.
    
    Note: Salzburg do not fall into this category by association....
    
    
    

Liechtenstein - Latvia has been a home match for Liechtenstein (1200 spectators)

Now in our group all should be clear. I'll wish Ireland and Portugal a 
successfull EC in England.
There are only some questions, Ireland or Portugal place 1,
Austria or Latvia place 4 and will Liechtenstein make one point ?

Next games:

18.12.94	Portugal - Liechtenstein
29. 3.95	Ireland - Northern Ireland
29. 3.95	Austria - Latvia
26. 4.95	Ireland - Portugal
		Latvia - North. Ireland
		Austria - Liechtenstein
 3. 6.95	Portugal - Latvia
 4. 6.95	Liechtenstein - Ireland
 7. 6.95	North.Ireland - Latvia
11. 6.95	Ireland - Austria
11.10.95	Austria - Portugal
		Liechtenstein - North.Ireland
15.11.95	Portugal - Ireland
		North.Ireland - Austria

Heribert

    
    ...and Austria v Ireland in September 1995 ????
    
    

to 79:

"Austria(sorry Heribert) and the Viennese team that played Chelsea last week
 are the dirtiest I've seen in a long time. Having said that, Portugal
 weren't much better. The match was no more than a slog."

Dezz, You must not say "sorry", I agree with You. National team and Austria
Wien are no teams,which have many spectators, because of less technical and
hard games. This hard games are not hard, because in this year the Austrian
players are such "rowdies", but they are 1-2 steps to slow to kick the ball and
therefore a new foul has been made.(such as Stoeger's red card)

Portugal - Austria : there has been 53 fouls (21 Portugal,32 Austria)

We Austrians like to see Salzburg and FC Tirol in Austria, and all international
matches from Germany and England, therefore I have to agree with Your opinion.

to 81  thanks (I have this date not in the offical calendar, because of the
logical result)

Heribert

    Heribert,
          
    I've put my list together with your list and come up with the following
    games that are missing from the schedule.
    
    03.09.95	Portugal      v N. Ireland
    06.09.95	Austria       v Rep. Ireland   (as Dezz pointed out)
    11.10.95	Rep. Ireland  v  Latvia
    
    Three more games are still missing, but I don't know the dates for
    these fixtures. Anyone got any idea ?
                                       
    	Liechtenstein v  Portugal
    	Latvia        v  Austria
    	Latvia        v  Liechtenstein
    
    
    Jerry.

    
    Portugal 8 - 0 Liechtenstein
    
    
    Apparently it was a much closer game than the scoreline suggests ;-)
    
    Jerry. 

    
    And we only scored once in 45 minutes ! ( 2-0 at 11m , 3-0 at 45m and
    4-0 at 56m) 
    Oh , and we missed a penalty !
    Anyway this was the better result ever done by the portuguese team.
    
    Luis.

    
                                P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
           Portugal             4  4  0  0 14  2   12
           Ireland              3  3  0  0 11  0    9
           N. Ireland           4  2  0  2  7  8    6
           Austria              3  1  0  2  5  3    3
           Latvia               3  1  0  2  2  6    3
           Liechtenstein        5  0  0  5  1 21    0

    Rep of Ireland -v- Northern Ireland
    
    well folks, can some kind soul post the teams for Wednesday's crunch
    game?...oh and the kick-off time as well?...
    
    3 points would be a giant step towards Euro 96....
    
    also, with regard to qualification, how important is it to win your
    group?...Are group winners seeded?...
    
    Ray....

Ray,

The kick off is 2:30pm

As for the team, it will probably be a last minute job. Quinn is doubt due to a
stomach bug

I wish Dublin a game without any problems with spectators, show the world
that there will be a good future Ireland and North.Ireland.

We are playing against Latvia tomorrow in this group  - with our national team
football all can be possible.(my prediction:  1:0 for Austria)

Heribert

Only group winners are certain to qualify from the 8 groups. Second place
teams in the seven 6 team groups have the results against the bottom place
team removed & then all 8 runner-ups records are compared.  The 6 second
place teams with the best record qualify.

I then think the 2 teams with the worst records then play-off home & away 
to qualify although I'm not sure of this.

easy isn't it;-)

Jack Charlton has just named the Republic of Ireland team for the
match tomorrow.  The team is:


                        	Alan Kelly


Gary Kelly          Paul McGrath          Phil Babb         Denis Irwin


Roy Keane           Andy Townsend         John Sheridan     Steve Staunton


                    Niall Quinn           David Kelly

Peter

      Can anyone tell me if the game is BBC N.I. so that I can enjoy a 
    pint or 12.the scottish papers dont have the N.I. variations.

BBC2 N.I at 2.10pm  Eire v N.Ireland  2.30 KO (also on RTE2)

    0-0 at half-time....apparently the Republic are well on top,
    tho....COME ON THE BOYS IN GREEN...
    
    Ray....

    final score 1-1
    
    the MightyQuinn for the Republic, Frankenstein's monster, sorry Ian
    Dowie for the North....
    
    Ray....

Austria - Latvia  	5:0 (2:0)

goals: Herzog (2),Polster (2), Pfeifenberger


1. Portugal		4 4 0 0	 14:2	12
2. Ireland		4 3 1 0	 12:1	10
3. North. Ireland	5 2 1 2	  8:9	 7
4. Austria		4 2 0 2	 10:3	 6
5. Latvia		4 1 0 3   2:11	 3
6. Liechtenstein	5 0 0 5   1:21	 0


next:(26.4.): 	Ireland - Portugal
		Latvia - North. ireland
		Austria - Liechtenstein


Heribert

THE BIG MATCH next for Austria then, Heribert ;-)

I hope we will defeat Liechtenstein.

But without joke: the Austrian team-coach Prohaska is seeing a hope to win 
in Dublin and to have than chances in this qualifying.
(he has to be optimistic, in another case he will lose his job)

Heribert

To Ireland - North.Ireland

How many spectators, has there been any problems between them, if not 
I will drink my Guinness from last visiting Ireland and plan my visit to North.
Ireland next year ?

Heribert (Ireland my holiday country No.1)

33,000 Full House, and not a problem to be seen.

�@

to .100 : I am glad to hear that.

To Ireland - Austria: no dangerous game, Austrians like drinking good beer
such as the Irish , but there are no hooligans in our country.

Heribert

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From: [email protected] (Gary Spain)
Subject: Rep. of Irl v NI report
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                Republic of Ireland 1 Northern Ireland 1

                        (Quinn 47)              (Dowie 72)

Northern Ireland came to Dublin for a point and got it.  The Republic got
what they deserved.  A nice sunny day and a carnival atmosphere outside
had laid the perfect foundations but the finished product left a lot to be
desired.  The bars around Lansdowne were full and this time the only battles
were desperate attempts to get a pint.  An expected protest from ticketless
Northern Ireland fans failed to materialise as they all got tickets.  Indeed
the touts took a terrible hammering with tickets selling for less than half of 
face value.  The northern fans were surrounded by gardai but there wasn't
any hint of aggression from either set of supporters.  The party atmosphere
was great but there was also a worrying air of complacency.  

Northern Ireland made a bright start and they dictated the play in the early
minutes without seriously threatening Kelly's goal.  Gradually the Republic
took control and the remainder of the first half saw Northern Ireland on
the defensive.  Northern Ireland defended exceptionally well.  Alan McDonald
shrugged off an early (and unfair) booking to dominate central defence.
Taggart played above himself and Worthington and Patterson had superb games at 
full back.  With Hill and Morrow in defensive midfield positions the Republic
never got the control they had in Belfast and attacks were restricted to
the flanks.  Irwin and Staunton in particular got a lot of crosses in but
chances were limited.  John Sheridan missed the Republic's best first half
chance but then a goal appeared unlikely.

The crowd was restless at half time.  The facile victory at Windsor was long
forgotten and this was a real struggle.  For all the pressure a goal
appeared unlikely.  The first half had also been spoiled by one of the worst
displays of refereeing in the history of football.  Holland has produced
some of the most beautiful footballers in the world but Mario van der Ende
has got to be one of the worst referees.  He gave 35 first half free kicks
in a game that wasn't even physical.  The F.A.I.'s ticketing policy is also
coming home to roost and the Dalymount roar is now the Lansdowne whimper.
Many of those around me struggled to identify our players but the businessman
behind me in the East Upper stand took the biscuit.  He arrived twenty five
minutes late, left 10 minutes early and just before half time asked were
we in green.  Whatever is said about the over zealous chanting at Windsor
Park at least their fans have a passion for the game.  The 15 minute half
time break was profoundly depressing.

Ninety second into the second half, Mr van der Ende took up where he left off,
another free kick.  Irwin flights the ball in, Quinn makes a run and for 
once  McDonald and Taggart were caught napping.  Niall Quinn sidefooted the 
ball in from two yards and he was immediately engulfed by delirious team-mates
in the back of the net.  The crowd raised a shout, the relief was palpable
and we'd gotten out of jail.  The conventional wisdom was that McDonald and
Taggart are not great defenders, If questions are continuously asked of
defenders they don't always have the answers.  Quinn wasn't playing well but 
he kept asking the questions and he should have done enough to earn the three
points.  For the next 10 minutes Northern Ireland were on the ropes.  Irwin
and Staunton both came close and the Republic were at full throttle.  A second
goal would have ended the game but it never materialised.  Instead Bryan
Hamilton's side regained their composure and strung a few passes together.
They won a few free kicks and Kelly had to pull one cross of the head of
the impressive Dowie.  The Republic again went back on the offensive but we were
just hoping for this nightmare performance to end and to escape with three
points.  Then disaster struck.  Paul McGrath played a short pass to Phil Babb.
It bobbled on the bumpy pitch and Keith Gillespie was in like a flash.  He
outpaced Babb to the byeline and the unmarked Iain Dowie held back in the middle
to nod home Gillespie's inch perfect cross.  Eighteen minutes of panic
ensued.  We had got one unlikely goal but a frenetic pressure failed to
yield another.  Townsend and Sheridan both had penalty appeals turned down.
Mr. van der Ende was giving free kicks for dirty looks outside the box but
he turned a blind eye to two strong penalty appeals.  Cascarino was inches
away from a last minute winner and Quinn had missed with a free header seconds
before being substituted.  A late goal however would have been an injustice.
Northern Ireland.  Guts, determination and organisation had stopped the 
Republic from playing and they were well worth their point.

Few players did themselves justice in a green shirt.  Kelly had a quiet game
in goal.  Gary Kelly played his worst ever game for Ireland while Irwin
was the best of the defenders.  Babb and McGrath have had better days.
Keane had a good game on the right of midfield but we missed him in the
middle.  Sheridan was poor and Townsend was worse.  Staunton did well but
his crossing is still not what it should be and he did not deserve the man
of the match award (I can only assume this is strictly limited to home 
players).  David Kelly foraged well but did not have a great day.  Niall Quinn
also had an off day and did not look fully fit.  McAteer and Cascarino
came on too late to make much impact although Cas almost stole it right at
the death.
Fettis looked composed and confident in goal.  The northern defence was
excellent and got the bit of luck they deserved on occasions.  Colin Hill
had a great game in the anchor man position in midfield. Stephen Morrow
also did well defensively.  Magilton failed to impose himself and Gillespie
and Hughes were mainly concentrating on defensive duties.  Gillespie was
marked absent on occasions but he created the equaliser.  Iain Dowie was head 
and shoulders above anyone on the pitch.  He played the lone strikers role
superbly, fought for everything held up the ball well.  He capped a fine
performance with the equaliser.

With only the group winner certain of qualification this had made life very
difficult for the Republic.  Victory over Portugal next month is now
essential.  The 6 best runners up qualify automatically but the other two
end up in a playoff.  Results in other groups will now be very significant.
Italy, France and Sweden are all dropping points.  A defeat would have ended 
Northern Ireland's interest but now they still have an outside chance of
the runners up spot.  They still need other results to go their way.  
Realistically they are out but Bryan Hamilton can look forward to the world cup
with confidence.

Teams
Kelly A., Kelly G., Babb, McGrath, Irwin, Keane, Townsend, Sheridan, Staunton,
Kelly (McAteer 73), Quinn (Cascarino 80).

Fettis, Patterson, Taggart, McDonald, Worthington, Hill, Morrow, Magilton,
Hughes, Gillespie, Dowie.


Other score

                Austria 5 Latvia 0


                Portugal        4 4 0 0 14 2 12
                Ireland         4 3 1 0 12 1 10
                N. Ireland      5 2 1 2  8 9  7
                Austria         4 2 0 2 10 3  6
                Latvia          4 1 0 3  2 11 3
                Liechtenstein   5 0 0 5  1 21 0
 
April 26th

                Latvia v Northern Ireland
                Austria v Liechtenstein
                Republic of Ireland v Portugal 


   


-- 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gary Spain                                          Phone: +353 1 2834700
                                                    Fax:   +353 1 2834732
Oracle Corporation Ltd.                             email: [email protected]
European Porting Centre,
Maretimo Court, Temple Road,
Blackrock, Co. Dublin,
Ireland.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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% From: xstacy::jlundon (James A. Lundon)
% To: xstacy::jlundon
% Subject:  Rep. of Irl v NI report (fwd)

     Any news of the team for next wednesday game.

Give us a clue which team do you want to know about?

Doesn't matter which one 'cause I don't know anyway ;-)

    Keane looks like he'll have to sit this one out, which probably leaves
    a midfield of Townsend, McAteer, Staunton, Sheridan/Houghton....
    
    
    By some miracle, will this match be shown anywhere live in
    Scotland????....
    
    here's hoping....
    
    Ray....

Kelly
Kelly, Babb, McGrath, Irwin
Houghton, Sheirdan ,Townsend, Staunton
Aldridge, Quinn

�@

    
    This has to be the oldest international side of all time....It's great
    to see the Irish youth policy finaly paying off....
    
    Neil....

    .107
    
    Neil,    ages are for tombstones, if the team gets the result they need
    then that's what matters most....
    
    I'd be happy with 1-1....
    
    Ray....

    
    What time is the kick-off.....at least RTP will be showing this match in
    the clear on the satellite....
    
    Dezzz.

    
    theres a 27 quid ticket floating here in Dublin for anyone who wants 
    it...drop me a line at above address
    
    rgs,
    
    Mick

    
    Anyone with access to a satellite dish can see the game on RTP tonight
    on Eutel 10East (Swing the dish to the right from Astra)
    
    TP  Name               Freq   P Video  Audio     A.Norm 
    39  RTP Internacional  11.659 V PAL    6.60      50     
    
    Regards,
    
    Dezzz.
    
      

    .111
    
    Mick,    are BBC NornIron or Ulster TV showing the game live?...
    
    Please say Yes!...
    
    Ray....

    
    Ray.
    
    I hear there are not showing it live..Think there is a MI match on also
    You should start swimming pretty soon -) -)
    
    rgs,
    
    Mick
    

I'll be happy with a 1-1 draw.  A win will be a bonus.

I also agree with the noter who made the comment about the
age of the Irish side.  If the side gets the result then who
care what age they are.  I'd love to have McGrath on my side
at any age.  The experience that man has couldn't be bought 
for money or youth.

                        James.

AUSTRIA - LIECHTENSTEIN		7:0 (3:0)

Goals: 1:0 Kuehbauer (8.),2:0 Polster (11.),3:0 Sabitzer (17.)
4:0 Polster (53.),5:0 Puerk (84.),6:0 Huetter (87.), 7:0 Huetter (90.)
Best of Liechtenstein: Goalkeeper Oehry (1 penalty stopped)


Ireland - Portugal		1:0  (1:0)
Vitor Baia (45./Por)

Latvia -  Northern Ireland	0:1  (0:0)
Dowie (68./penalty)

Our Irish friends will deliver the match report of both games, I think.


1. Irland		5 4 1 0	  13: 1	  13
2. Protugal		5 4 0 1	  14: 3	  12
3. Northern Ireland	6 3 1 2	   9: 9	  10
4. Austria		5 3 0 2	  17: 3	   9
5. Latvia		5 1 0 4    2:12    3
6. Liechtenstein	6 0 0 6    1:28	   0


Heribert

    well done to the lads last night. A thoroughly professional performance
    in all parts of the pitch and the result should have been more
    convincing, 2-0 or 3-0 would have been a fairer reflection on the
    night. Gary Kelly was Man-of-the-match but I thought Staunton was a
    very close second....
    
    
    it's also one in the eye for anyone who thinks that putting players
    over thirty on the pitch is wrong, like I said a few notes ago, ages
    are for tombstones....
    
    Ray....

    
    Saw the game on RTP with RTE on in the background. Great game tahat
    Ireland just about deserved to win. They were starting to struggle in
    the last 15 minutes but held out well. The whole back four played very
    well but I was not at all impressed with Townshend's contributions.
    This was compared with TGA who was putting some of these young lads on
    both teams to shame. The goal itself could not and should be construed
    as an own goal. It was more a very desperate effort to save it than
    anything else.
    
    With both Austria and Northern Ireland winning it is getting very
    close. Austria might be a little more difficult than Ireland
    originally bargained for.
    
    Regards,
    
    Dezzz. 
                         

Dezz,

I have never thought of any chance for Austria in this group after the
game against North. Ireland.

But now I am a little optimistic. Austria has to win in Ireland, or to make
one point and we have chances. 

Portugal and Ireland have to play in Vienna.

The new team is a good mixture of Austrian players in Germany , players
of Austria Salzburg and new young players (since 2 months in team).

Heribert

    Another remarkable compliment to the great ooh aah Mcgrath
    last night, where according to George "Tiny" Hamilton the famous
    Eusebio went to the dressing room after the game to look for the
    jersey he was wearing.
    
    Great game to watch but Ireland made us all sweat a bit up to the
    final whistle.
    In saying that i.m.o. the Portugese should have been dead and buried
    long before that, how does Ray Houghton keep missing the easy ones.
    
    Won't be long now till we're booking our trips to England.
    
                                                              
    Willy........

Soccer: A game to be proud of  - 1995/04/27

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 1
PORTUGAL 0
 

THE Republic of Ireland's European championship challenge is alive 
and flourishing after class, courage and commitment came together to 
fashion a win of outstanding merit over Portugal at Lansdowne Road 
last evening. 
 

 The record books will show that an own-goal by the Portuguese 
goalkeeper, Vitor Baia, in injury-time in the first half separated the 
teams at the finish, but that is a warped statistic on this, probably the 
best international game seen in Dublin in the last 10 years. 
 

 By the time the game had run its breathtaking course, Ireland might 
have scored four more, but it is worth remembering that only a couple 
of outstanding saves by Alan Kelly prevented the Portuguese from 
grabbing the win which would have stood justice on its head. 
 

 It was that kind of match: rich in passion and skill and producing 
enough talking points to ensure that this evening will be recalled with 
pride long after other victories at the stadium have blurred into 
anonymity. 
 

 To set the seal on a memorable night, the Lansdowne choir was back 
in full voice, willing Ireland to victory as the battle surged back and 
forward in a manner which played on the nerves of all but the most 
phlegmatic in the capacity crowd of 33,000. 
 

 Portugal, masters of the art of hitting on the break, surprised 
everybody, not least Jack Charlton, by the manner in which they 
chased the game from the start. For much of the opening 20 minutes, 
they were in a class apart from the Irish with a superb demonstration 
of one-touch football. 
 

 In that period, the Portuguese matadors teased and tormented their 
opposition, luring them into the wild tackle before knocking the ball 
away to a teammate. However, the Irish, often bewildered, stuck to 
the job with enormous dedication and in the end it paid off with three 
precious points. 
 

 In the process, they were profligate in the outpouring of energy and 
against that background, it was no more than fitting that luck should 
take a hand in the explosive minutes just before half time. 
 

 Ray Houghton had just struck the butt of the upright and John 
Aldridge's hooked shot had failed by a hair's breadth when Niall 
Quinn sent in Steve Staunton on the left. The shot looked to be 
travelling across the face of the goal until Baia, under pressure from 
Aldridge, had the misfortune to turn the ball into his own net with his 
elbow. 
 

 In that instant, we were reminded of another watershed in Irish 
football more than 30 years ago when an own-goal by a Spanish 
goalkeeper named Iribar put Ireland within sight of a place in the 
1966 World Cup finals. 
 

 They didn't quite make the cut on that occasion, but the hope is that 
this latest stroke of good fortune will ease the path to the European 
finals and ensure a place for Charlton's team in the cast in England 
in just over 12 months time. 
 

 Last evening's superb performance deserves no less, but as the 
manager was quick to emphasise later, a lot of football remains to be 
played before the qualifiers in this most competitive of European 
groups are determined. 
 

 Gary Kelly, distancing himself from a relatively muted contribution 
against Northern Ireland last month, caught the mood of Ireland's 
display with a display which the manager would recall in the 
dressing-room as one of the best he had ever seen from a full back. 
 

 Yet, in many respects, it was Niall Quinn, brave to a fault, who lit 
the torch for the conflagration which eventually engulfed the 
unbeaten Portuguese team. It was undeniably his ability to compete in 
he air which held out hope for the home team in those early stages 
when those around him were unquestionably second best. 
 

 When the visitors began to roll forward still more menacingly in 
search of an equaliser in the second half, he combined with Aldridge 
to ensure that that they were kept at full stretch at the back. By the 
time the plot had run its course, Quinn might have had three goals, 
but in a situation in which players got very little time on the ball, his 
finish didn't quite match the remainder of his performance. 
 

 He ought to have scored in the 55th minute when the sheer 
persistence of Aldridge created a chance out of nothing, but with the 
Portuguese in obvious disarray, he pulled the shot wide. Later, he saw 
a chipped shot expertly held by Baia and then, from no more than 
three yards, he failed to apply the finish invited by another cunning 
opening made by Aldridge. 
 

 Add in the let off for Portugal when Aldridge failed only fractionally 
to make contact with Houghton's cross, and again when John 
Sheridan missed narrowly at the end of a fine move involving the 
ubiquitous Houghton, and Portugal did well to emerge with just a 
one-goal beating. 
 

 To be fair, they had their chances of snatching an equaliser, notably 
in the 65th minute when Alan Kelly spread himself to knock out a 
shot by Rui Costa and again when the goalkeeper went down 
courageously at the feet of the lively Domingos. 
 

 Overall, however, the bulk of the scoring chances belonged to 
Ireland and if there was a flaw attaching to this win, it was their 
failure to make them count in situations in which the defence had 
been torn apart. 
 

 However, in the end the scoreline justified everything and now the 
long arm of opportunity reaches yet again for the team which the 
critics had dismissed as too old for the job. If for nothing else, last 
night's performance was a joy to behold on this count. 
 

 Gary Kelly was at all times quite magnificent, but it says much for 
the quality of the overall display that he had little to spare over his 
full back partner, Denis Irwin, whose cool nerve was a source of 
much assurance when the Portuguese onslaught was at its height. 
 

 Phil Babb recovered well from an uncertain start to complement the 
majestic Paul McGrath and in midfield Ray Houghton justified his 
choice with the performance which left Charlton in no doubt that the 
little man has still a lot to offer the team. 
 

 John Sheridan's subtlety and Andy Townsend physical presence 
ensured that the Irish controlled central midfield for three-quarters of 
the game, and on their left, Steve Staunton again played from the 
heart as much as the head. 
 

 Not least on this richly rewarding night, there was the spectacle of 
John Aldridge playing as well as ever in his 35th year. With this 
display, he has put himself back in the frame as Charlton's number 
one frontrunner as the manger eyes the difficult tasks ahead. 
 

 Those who arrived in expectation of an early examination of the 
Portuguese defence quickly revised their priorities after the men in 
red had opened at a pace which was at times breathtaking. Often 
stringing five or six passes together without an Irish boot touching 
the ball, they were almost in after nine minutes when McGrath, at 
full stretch, did well to intercept Joao Pinto's return pass to Figo. 
 

 That was a chastening reminder of the power of the Portuguese on 
the surge but gradually, reassuringly, the Irish settled. Tackles began 
to count, vital balls were won in midfield and soon Portugal's early 
swagger began to deteriorate into a stark struggle for survival. 
 

 Aldridge, alas, couldn't get any power on the header after Quinn, 
typically, had competed successfully with Costa for the high ball and 
then Couto did well to get his head to a Quinn cross as Aldridge and 
Houghton waited for the kill. 
 

 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - A Kelly; G Kelly, Babb, McGrath, 
Irwin; Houghton (Kenna 84), Townsend, Sheridan, Staunton; 
Aldridge (Cascarino 84), Quinn. 
 

 PORTUGAL: Baia, G Pinto, J Costa, Helder (Folha 63), Couto, 
Sousa, Figo (Alfredo 75), Santos, J Pinto, Domingos, R Costa. 
 

  Referee: A Amendolia (Italy). 
 

Copyright,The Irish Times

    
    Next games... Anyone ?
    
    Luis.

    here's a list of the remaining matches Luis....I still think that RoI
    and Portugal will qualify....
    
    Ray....
    
             	4th  June     	Liechtenstein v R. of Ireland
    
                7th  June     	N.Ireland     v Latvia
    
                11th June    	R. of Ireland v Austria
    
                3rd September   Portugal      v N.Ireland
    
                6th September	Austria       v R. of Ireland
    
                11th October	R. of Ireland v Latvia
                            	Liechtenstein v N.Ireland
    
                15th November	Portugal      v R. of Ireland
                            	N.Ireland     v Austria
    
    

3.6.  Portugal - Latvia
4.6.  Liechtenstein - Ireland
7.6.  North.Ireland - Latvia
11.6. Ireland - Austria
15.8. Liechtenstein - Portugal
16.8. Latvia - Austria
3.9.  Portugal - N.Ireland
6.9.  Austria - Ireland
      Latvia - Liechtenstein
11.10.Austria - Portugal
      Ireland - Latvia
15.11.N.Ireland - Austria
      Portugal - Ireland

Heribert

Since I haven't been in here for a while, dare I say that Ireland have 
proven what Arsenal have proven - there's nothing wrong with "British" 
style football.  Guts, courage, conviction, a measure of underestimated 
skill and direct football are more than a match for any so called skillful 
side.  The Portugese defence looked like a mirror of the Sampdoria defence 
against Arsenal - at sixes and sevens when put under aerial pressure as 
well as direct moves in the space behind the defence.

Conversely the Portugese played wonderful football going forward - even if 
they couldn't burst a brown paper bag. (Ask Scotland)

It was interesting to see the English "quality" Sunday newspapers hint that 
England would be better off trying to play like Ireland drawing on the 
traditional strengths and skills of the "British" game rather than continue 
the delusion that they can become more like the people Ireland regularly 
beat -:)    Maybe George Graham should be appointed England manager.

Now for Austria - the first game will be crucial to kill off their 
challenge which noone is underestimating, not even St Jack. Any team with 
players from Germany and the top teams in Austria cannot be underestimated. 

Shane

p.s. Did I just praise Arsenal!

Shane,

Thank You for: "Any team with players from Germany and the top teams in Austria
cannot be underestimated. " - but don't overestimate our national team.

Heribert

    
    Ireland-Austria (11/6) , Portugal-N.Ireland (3/9) and Austria-Ireland
    (6/9) will be decisive games.
    I hope that by the 11th of October ( Austria-Portugal)  everything
    would be decided.Portuguese football doesn't fit with Austrian
    football,remember Salzburg- Sporting a year ago ?
    I think that Heribert hopes are a little bit different....
    
    
    Luis.    

I think, Portugal has the best chances to be qualified for EC.

The only chance for Austria is not to loose in Ireland, more: we have to
win in Dublin. If not - Ireland will be qualified , too.

I believe, that everything is decided for Portugal by the 11th of October.

Heribert

    Are any of the satellite channels showing the Liechtenstein v RoI game
    on Saturday?...
    
    Ray....

    Ray,
    
    Somebody must be (SETANTA I guess) as they're showing it here (Munich) in 
    the Irish pubs. Where's Dezzz 'The Dish' Cassidy when you need him ?
    
    - Robin

Some good news for the Irish fans:

Austria will play in the future (first time in Dublin) without his
best player Andreas Herzog (Bremen/Bayern).

More informations I will write in the Austrian conference.

Heribert 

    sensational performance by the Irish last Saturday....they  managed to
    scrape a point from the potentially difficult away tie to
    Liechtenstein....well done lads!...
    
    Ray....

Re -1

The word unbelievable is over used nowadays but I think Ireland's performance
on Sautday gave unbelievable a new meaning.  They were atrocious.  I think
the Irish gave Liechtenstein way too much respect and paid the price.  It
has to count as the worst performance by the Irish team ever!  It puts
qualification in severe doubt :-(.

Dunphy (Not our Mick but the other) will have a field day, and rightly so 
IMVVVVHO.

                           James.

    
    Portugal  3     Latvia    2      (3-0)
    
    
    Like Ireland , this was the worst game that Portugal did in this
    qualification.
    
    Luis.

    The Grauniad is implying the Big Jack might re-kindle his interest in
    that well known Striker who can only score a stash - Chris Armstrong.
    
    That should ensure you keep shooting blanks :-)
    
    Paul

We have played 4:0 in Liechtenstein and 6:0 ag. Latvia !!

1. Portugal		6 5 0 1	17: 5	15
2. Ireland		6 4 2 0	13: 1	14
3. Northern Ireland 	6 3 1 2  9: 9	10
4. Austria		5 3 0 2 17: 3	 9
5. Latvia		6 1 0 5  4:15	 3
6. Liechtenstein	7 0 1 6  1:28	 1	


Now Ireland - Austria  11.6.95

But Austria will play without the best player here, Andreas Herzog 
(differences between coach Prohaska and Bremen), without the libero
Feiersinger and Artner (all - 30 % performance).

Heribert

    
    Well, got back to Germany on Friday...since then blinkin' SETANTA
    decide to show both the football (soccer) and rugby encrypted. Every
    other game this weekend was shown...in the clear.....
    
    Ireland sounded very bad in both games....but sometimes you get the
    rub of the green and sometimes not...what goes round comes round.....
    
    Let's hope it come round twice next weekend....v Austria and v
    France...
    
    Dezzz.

    
    N.Ireland	1-2	Latvia
    
    
    Luis.

Northern Ireland - Latvia	1:2 (1:0)

45. 1:0  Dowie
58. 1:1  Zeiberlins
62. 1:2  Astasjews


1. Portugal		6 5 0 1	17: 5	15
2. Ireland		6 4 2 0	13: 1	14
3. Northern Ireland 	7 3 1 3 10:11	10
4. Austria		5 3 0 2 17: 3	 9
5. Latvia		7 2 0 5  6:16	 6
6. Liechtenstein	7 0 1 6  1:28	 1	


Sunday Ireland - Austria.

All other as an Irish victory should be great for Austria, but is not
believable.

Heribert

    
    Didn't saw the game neither the goals , but what a great result
    Heribert ! With this victory Austria has all the chances to qualifie. 
    Three teams for two places... Latvia playing very well...
    I think this group is getting hot !
    
    Luis.

Luis,

I don't believe that there should be any problem for Portugal in this
group. Austria has a little chance for place 2.

1. Portugal		6 5 0 1	17: 5	15
2. Ireland		7 4 2 1	14: 4	14
3. Austria		6 4 0 2 20: 4	12
4. Northern Ireland 	7 3 1 3 10:11	10
5. Latvia		7 2 0 5  6:16	 6
6. Liechtenstein	7 0 1 6  1:28	 1	

next: 15.8.:  Liechtenstein - Portugal
      16.8.:  Latvia - Austria

Heribert

 LIECHTENSTEIN - PORTUGAL   0:7 (0:3)
 3.500; Alves (67.,73.,91.), Rui Costa
 (41.,71./Elfmeter), Domingos (25.),
 Paulinho (33.)


  1. PORTUGAL        7  6 0 1 24:5  18
  2. IRELAND         7  4 2 1 14:4  14
  3. AUSTRIA         6  4 0 2 20:4  12
  4. NORTH.IRELAND   7  3 1 3 10:11 10
  5. LATVIA          7  2 0 5  6:16  6
  6. LIECHTENSTEIN   8  0 1 7  1:35  1

today: LATVIA - AUSTRIA

    
    Latvia  - Austria       3:2
    
    Didn`t saw the game Heribert. What happen to Austria ? After their
    victory against Ireland i thought they were stonger than ever....
    But i also saw a great Latvia team playing against Portugal...
    About the portuguese victory , it was very easy and we didn`t play with
    6 of our best players : V.Baia ( Porto ) , J.Pinto ( Porto ) , P.Sousa
    ( Juventus) , Figo ( Barcelona) , Futre ( Milan ) and J.Pinto II 
    (Benfica). I still don`t understand how could Ireland haven`t done
    better than a 0:0 !!.
    
    We`re on the road to England !!!
    
    
    Luis.

Irish friends , drink a Guinness and are lucky for the final round
in England.

This has been a terrible game of both teams , Latvia and Austria have been
not better than Liechtenstein in this game.

Latvia has been 1% better and therefore the winner - this has been o.k.
3 big mistakes of Austria's defense and goalkeeper Konrad .

Coach Prohaska has not nominated Herzog, Stoeger , Cerny ,aso. No player
of FC Tirol (this year best team).

1:0 Rimkus  (12.)
2:0 Rimkus, (59.)
2:1 Polster (69.)
2:2 Ramusch (78.) 
3:2 Zeiberlins (89.)


  1. PORTUGAL        7  6 0 1 24:5  18
  2. IRELAND         7  4 2 1 14:4  14
  3. AUSTRIA         7  4 0 3 22:7  12
  4. NORTH.IRELAND   7  3 1 3 10:11 10
  5. LATVIA          8  3 0 5  9:18  9
  6. LIECHTENSTEIN   8  0 1 7  1:35  1


Austria's next games:

Ireland   	Home
Portugal  	Home
North.Ireland 	Away


Two questions: How has it been possible for Latvia to win in Northern Ireland
and for Austria to win in Ireland 3:1  ????


Heribert

The situation for the future. Austria has his chance on paper (not with
the performance and team of this Wednesday).

Portugal is qualified for England (99,9 %).


The finally games of Ireland and Austria:


		IRELAND			AUSTRIA		


6.9.95		AUSTRIA	(A)		IRELAND	 (H)	
                

11.10.95	LATVIA	(H)		PORTUGAL (H)			
		

15.11.95	PORTUGAL (A)		NORTH.IRELAND (A)


Austria - Ireland can be a decision. All others than a victory of Austria 
would mean the 2nd place for Ireland.

Heribert

    Can someone clarify the situation about the teams that finish in 2nd
    place in their group?...Do all 2nd placed teams qualify automatically?...
    
    Ray....       

It's a wee bit complicated but I think its something like the following:

There are 8 groups, 7 with 6 teams & 1 with 5.

Winners go through.

2nd placed teams in the 6 team groups have the results against the bottom
team removed and compared against the 2nd team in the 5 team group.  The
6 countries with the best records go straight through.  The 7th & 8th
teams play-off to qualify.

I'm not sure whether this play-off is 2 legs or 1 match at a neutral venue.

John

    
    Play-off is one leg played at Anfield in December...
    
    Dezzz.

Soccer: Phelan's recall increases midfield options

TERRY PHELAN'S world was significantly brighter yesterday after he 
had been recalled to the Republic of Ireland's squad of 20 for the 
European championship meeting with Austria on September 6th in 
Vienna. 
 
 It marked the end of a traumatic phase of his career in which struggled 
at club and international level for much of last season following a spate 
of injuries. 
 
 With the exception of the truncated game against England at 
Lansdowne Road in February, he has not appeared in the national 
team since the World Cup finals in the United States last summer. 
 
 On that occasion, he stood indicted of the mistake which put the team 
in trouble against Holland in Orlando, but the bigger problems were to 
emanate on his return to the new season in England. 
 
 ``In simple terms I came back too quickly - within a fortnight of 
finishing in America - and I didn't stop paying the price for the next 
nine months'' he said. 
 
 ``I've missed the Ireland involvement and I'm the first to admit that the 
competition for places has become even more competitive in the last 
year. 
 
 ``All I promise is to play well enough for my club to give Jack 
Charlton another option and then the rest is up to him. But it's a nice 
break to be told that I'm back in the squad for a competitive game.'' 
 
 His recall has been expedited by injuries which rule Steve Staunton 
and Jeff Kenna out of the important game in Vienna, but Charlton said 
last night that he has been monitoring Phelan's progress since the start 
of the pre-season programme. 
 
 ``Terry's been through a bad time, largely because of injury, but I 
always said that once he got himself fit and played as well as he was 
capable of playing, he'd be back in contention'' he said. 
 
 His recall now is opportune for Staunton's withdrawal after 
undergoing an operation on his heel, followed quickly by the defection 
of Kenna, but still leaves the Irish manager with a major problem on 
the left side of midfield. 
 
 Phelan has played there for Manchester City and while Charlton may 
have other, more attractive alternatives in his blueprint for Vienna, it 
lends an extra element of importance to his recall. 
 
 Ironically, Mark Kennedy, a specialist left-sided player, returns to 
action for Liverpool in an `A' team game at the weekend, but would 
seem to have run out of time in his attempt to earn a place in the 
travelling party for Vienna. 
 
 Ray Houghton or Eddie McGoldrick is still the preferred option for 
Charlton in the task of replacing Staunton but he said yesterday that he 
was still keeping an open mind on the problem. 
 
 Ronnie Whelan, booked in both the games against Liechtenstein and 
Austria on his return to the team at the end of the season, is serving an 
automatic suspension and with Liam Daish and Liam O'Brien omitted 
on this occasion, the numerical strength of the squad is down to 20. 
 
 It includes both Roy Keane and Andy Townsend, neither of whom 
was available for the end of season games but who have since proved 
their fitness for Manchester United and Aston Villa respectively. 
 
 Also in is Alan Kernaghan, the Manchester City player, who has now 
re-established himself as the first choice cover for Paul McGrath and 
Phil Babb in central defence. 
 
 
 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Squad): A Kelly (Sheffield Utd), P 
Bonner (Celtic), G Kelly (Leeds Utd), D Irwin (Man Utd), T Phelan 
(Man City), P McGrath (Aston Villa), P Babb (Liverpool), A 
Kernaghan (Man City), R Houghton (Crystal Palace), R Keane (Man 
Utd), A Townsend (Aston Villa), J Sheridan (Sheffield Wed), J 
McAteer (Bolton), A McLoughlin (Portsmouth), E McGoldrick 
(Arsenal), N Quinn (Man City), J Aldridge (Tranmere), A Cascarino 
(Marseille), T Coyne (Motherwell), D Kelly (Wolves). 
 
Copyright, The Irish Times

News from Austria:

Andreas Herzog - best player of Austria - will make his comeback against
Ireland.
He had a dispute with the coach Prohaska since June, because Herzog played
with Werder Bremen and not with Austria in Ireland.

After the match in Latvia Austrian press claimed for Herzog - now the handshake
between Herzog and Prohaska.

Heribert

    
    Portugal 	1-1	N.Ireland
    
    
    
    Luis.

    CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF BBC ULSTER OR UTV ARE SHOWING THE AUSTRIA V
    IRELAND MATCH LIVE TOMORROW NIGHT
    

    .153
    John....
    
    try the Anchor in Ayr, they got the RoI v Portugal match on Portuguese
    TV, though I'm not sure if Austrian TV is available on satellite....
    
    ....it's all academic to me cos I'm off to cheer on the Scots at
    Hampden anyways!...
    
    
    Ray....
    
    ....come on the Celts!!!!

What Time is the game on???

    
   Live Coverage starts on RTE AT 7.15 so it's probably a 7.30 kick off.
    
    Des 

    Not like SKY coverage then :
    
    Starts at 2, kick off at 5.

re .157

Trev, we need an hour or two for Andy Gray to recreate Shearer's last goal in 
Neon-lumo-color-Subbuteo technology.

    And for Richard Keys to tell us how much possession the ref had.

I see Jason McAteer is fit enough to hawk himself around Arsenal,
Liverpool and Blackburn.  Looks like he will achieve his real goals
of declaring for Ireland.  Bet he plays on Saturday - for whoever.
I hope all the driving doen't affect his "injured" knee.

Perhaps Billy Bingham was right.

Shane

    the team, (from memory)...
    
    A Kelly
    G Kelly
    D Irwin
    A Kernaghan
    Ooh Aah
    J Sheridan
    A Townsend
    R Keane
    R Houghton
    M Kennedy
    N Quinn
    
    (to the tune of `Those were the days')
    
    come on ye boys in green
    come on ye boys in green
    come on ye boys
    come on ye boys in green
    come on ye boys in green
    come on ye boys in green
    come on ye boys
    come on ye boys in green
    
    Ray....

    
    Austria	3-1	Ireland
    
    Luis.
    
    Could anyone make a match report ?

    
    Latvia 1-0	Lichenstein
    
    Luis.

For f**k sake, the so called best full back in the world was at fault
for at least two of the goals last evening, namely Gary Kelly.  He
wasn't the only Irish man that didn't do himself justice last evening
either.  Townsend was to my mind awful, Sheridan - was he playing? 
And that donkey Quinn up front fluffed everything that came his way. 
What does Jack then do when the chips are down except bring on the Ice
Cream Man who then proceeded to miss a one-on-one with the goalkeeper
near the death.  I nearly kicked a chunk out of the fireplace when 
that chance went astray :-(.

As Dunphy (Eamonn not Mick) said on the paper last Sunday a 4-5-1 
formation was inviting disaster and how right he turned out to be.  I
missed most of the first half but caught the last five minutes and
even then knew that it wasn't going to be Ireland's night.  Someone
should have been on the end of Kennedy's freekick just before 
half-time! 

Charlton after the game said that if the lads had got back on level
terms "We'd have been alright".  My arse!  The journalists should have
pulled him up on that one, but didn't because they were cowering in 
the corner for fear of an earful from his majesty.  How could we have
been alright given the manner in which the Austrians scythed through
our defence almost at will?

Serious questions need to be asked about team selection and team
management.  Charlton is gone and maybe not before time! 

To put the defeat in context: Austria were beaten by both Latvia 
(positively world beaters at the moment after last night's 1-0 victory 
over that world power of football: Lichenstein) and Northern Ireland 
recently.  We have had 6 goals put by us by them and in return have
only scored 2 in our last two games. 

People are still saying we can qualify by getting a result in Portugal 
and then beating Latvia at home.  These same people can't see Austria 
beating either Northern Ireland or Portugal.  I suppose anything is 
possible but even if we do happen to qualify, it's a case of going
from the fryer into the fire.  By this I mean what's the point in
qualifying when we are only going to embarrass ourselves next Summer
in England? 

               James (trying to be realistic as ever).

    re -1 
    
    James,
    
    >To put the defeat in context: Austria were beaten by both Latvia
    >(positively world beaters at the moment after last night's 1-0 victory
    >over that world power of football: Lichenstein)
    
    Is this the same Lichtenstein (sic) that prevented the Rep of Ireland
    scoring not so long ago? Thought not.
    
    Stuart

    Ireland played well enough, they put loads of pressure on Austria.
    But...
    
    1. Austria's goalie was brilliant
    2. Quinn couldn't hit a barn door at five paces
    3. Austria's 4 attacks resulted in 3 goals
    
    Unbiased as ever,
    Al.

I'm back from holidays. I have seen most of the game Austria - Ireland
in Italian TV.

Winners of Austria: Goalie Konsel, the complete 4 players in front of Konsel
and Stoeger with 3 goals.

Prediction of Italy's Gazetta della Sport:


Chances to play in England:

before Austria - Ireland		after the 3:1

Portugal 	 99%			Portugal	90%
Ireland  	 61%			Austria		60%
Austria  	 30%			Ireland		30%
Northern Ireland 10% 			North.Ireland	-


In the moment Austria is the 5th of the 2nd of all groups.
(In this classification Austrian loose 6 points and a goal difference
of 12:0)

Heribert

1 Portugal        8     6   1   1    25 : 6   19 
2 Austria         8     5   0   3    25 : 8   15 
3 Ireland         8     4   2   2    15 : 7   14
4 Latvia          9     4   0   5    10 :18   12
5 North. Ireland  8     3   2   3    12 :12   11 
6 Liechtenstein   9     0   1   8     1 :36    1 

the squad to face Latvia is as follows....
    
    
 IRELAND (Squad): A Kelly (Sheffield Utd), P Bonner (Celtic), G 
Kelly (Leeds Utd), D Irwin (Man Utd), J Kenna (Blackburn), P 
McGrath (Man Utd), P Babb (Liverpool), A Kernaghan (Man City), L 
Daish (Birmingham City), R Houghton (Crystal Palace), R Keane 
(Man Utd), J Sheridan (Sheffield Wed), A Townsend (Aston Villa), S 
Staunton (Aston Villa), J McAteer (Liverpool), E McGoldrick 
(Arsenal), A McLoughlin (Portsmouth), M Kennedy (Liverpool), N 
Quinn (Man City), J Aldridge (Tranmere), T Coyne (Motherwell), A 
Cascarino (Marseille), D Kelly (Sunderland). 
    
    
    ....there still seems to be some confusion over Staunton's inclusion,
    as he is just over a heel operation....
    
    Overall it looks like the strongest squad that we could put out at this
    time....
    
    Ray....

    Irwin is out of the Latvia game....
    
    Ray....
    
    ps, Is Latvian TV available on satellite TV????

    More bad news for the Republic....Roy Keane is out with a damaged
    stomach muscle....
    
    ....this is getting serious!!!!
    
    Ray....

    well this is it!!!! D-day, I'm not optimistic for tonight. Hope I'm
    wrong....
    
    Ray....

    Ray,
    	It seems the press are getting ready to give Jack the push if they
    lose tonight. What is the opinion from some of the supporters ? Should
    he stay ? Are the press already rumbling over your side ? 
    
    			Stretch.
    
    P.S Good luck tonight !!!

    The team has not actually been picked but the midfield has got a 
    lot of stick from Jack over the weekend, he feels that if he had
    have had Keane and Townsend fit for all the matches that Ireland
    f**ked up in then Ireland would not be in the position that they
    are currently in.  A lot of the press fell that the time is right 
    for Charlton to move on and let someone else take over (either
    Kinnear of McCarthy). Charlton has suggested that he will employ
    Phil Babb in a defensive midfield role in front of the back four
    so Ireland will not get caught on the break as they have been in
    recent matches.
    Irelands Probable team
    
    				Kelly
    
    		Kelly				Phelan/Staunton
    
    			McGrath		Kernaghan
    
    				Babb            
    
    		McAteer		Townsend	Staunton/Kennedy
    
    
    			Quinn	Aldridge/Coyne/Kelly	

    .173 stretch....
    
    I'm of the opinion that we've been on a downward curve since WC94,
    where Ireland played one outstanding game, (v Italy, 1-0, Houghton,
    looping left-foot volley over the keeper, ran rings round them for 90
    mins, brillo..), and 3 pretty poor games, (my father called the Irish
    team `Carthorses against thoroughbreds')....
    
    ....therefore I'm of the opinion that Big Jack's time has come and gone
    and we need new blood, (Brady or Big Mick)....I hope Brady gets the
    job....
    
    Ray....

And for Austria's football tonight could be the chance to open the door to
England.

I'll will see the match live in Vienna's "Ernst Happel-Stadion", but I don't
believe 3 points for Austria. The match will be in the fog.

Luis, what's Your prediction - (my one : AUT-POR 0:1)

 
 AUSTRIA - PORTUGAL        
 Happel-Stadion; SR Lewnikow (RUS)

 
 Austria: 
 Konsel - Feiersinger,
 Sch�ttel, Pfeffer - Schopp,
 Pfeifenberger, K�hbauer, Marasek -
 St�ger, Herzog - Polster

 Portugal: 
 Baia - Nelson, Jorge Costa,
 Helder, Paulinho Santos - Secretario,
 Paulo Sousa, Rui Costa, Oceano, Sa
 Pinto - Domingos


Heribert

    how can you say brady should get the job he has hardly been 
    successful at Brighton, Kinnear would be my first choice 
    as he has proved to be a good manager in the premiership
    with Wimbledon.
    
    Just My Thoughts
    
    GS

Charlton has lost it!  He is reported to have said that he might
not play Aldridge tonight because everyone has asked/suggested
that he should.  The words of a child IMO.

New blood is needed.  The team technically is as strong as it's
ever been.  What's lacking though is the sense of purpose and
urgency.  There is a jadedness in the team that wasn't there in 
the earlier years of his Irish "reign".  I don't think we deserve 
to qualify and would be somewhat thankful if we didn't get the 
win tonight and Austria did!  I don't think there's any point in 
the Republic going to England next year; we just aren't good 
enough.

Comments.

                         James.

Charlton was hardly successful at Middlesboro or Newscastle either.

Shels have more money for players than Brighton.

Still, Kinnear and McCarthy have good records.  So I suppose we'll have a 
three person vote and go for the third.  The question is whether either of 
the above would be better off moving up to manage a better team in the 
Premiership.  Kenny Dalglish could be a bit bored these days -:)

Shane

Regardless of the result tonight (I think it will be a draw, which will 
almost certainly put us out), Charlton's achievements cannot be 
understimated.

He took a team that never (as in their entire history) qualified for 
anything, and qualified them for two consecutive World Cups, and a European 
Championship.

If/when he goes, we'll look back on his era and wonder could it have 
happened.

Kinnear/Mc Carthy would be my choice as manager. Brady has screwed up too 
many times and just doesn't seem to have what's required (Charlton was very 
successful, IMO, at Middlesborough).

Michael

    Hopefully Ireland willl win tonight as i am going to Lansdowne to 
    see the match.  I can't see ireland losing but then again i thought 
    that they wouldn't lose to Austria a second time.  In my opinion 
    Ireland will still qualify as I think Portugal will beat Austria 
    tonight in Vienna and Ireland win then it will be 2 points ahead
    with one game to go.  As usual things will go down to the wire
    regarding qualification.  
    The last games will be a thriller if results go Irelands way tonight
    
    Portugal vrs Ireland
    
    N.Ireland vrs Austria
    
    I dont hold out much hope of the North doing us any favours.
    
    
    
    GS

    seems like northern ireland are showing the republic how to beat
    leichtenstein (sp.) they are currently 4-0 up don't know the 
    scorers.
    
    gs

    the north finished 4-0 and eire beat latvia 2-1 (don't know if aldo
    scored)
    
    austria and protugal drew 1-1 so a draw for eire in the final game may
    not be enough if my maths is correct {their goal difference is -2
    against austria's -3 with a pointy less]
    
    regards
    
    Andrew.D.wicks

    Ah yes TGA (The Great Aldo) got both is there no end to this man's
    talent - can we expect a full appreciation from Cunno on this.
    
    andrew

    I listened to the game on the radio and saw the goals later on. It
    didn't seem to be a great performance from the Irish but at this stage
    of the tournament a win is a win is a win....
    
    ....if we beat Portugal do we win the group???.       
    
    Ray....

    Ray,
    
    Not necessarily. Portugal have 20 points, Ireland 17. The goal
    differences are +19 and +9. Big Jacks lads need to win by 5 goals to
    win the group. Whilst they may win, the margin of victory isn't going
    to be 5 goals....
    
    Eire have to win to certain of occupying one of the top 2 positions in
    the group.
    
    Stuart

According to the radio( Des Cahill )  this morning goal difference doesn,t count.
Rather it is the results between the teams on equal points which count.

Therfore...

Ireland = Portugal - Ireland go through top of the table because 
we'll have beaten Portugan twice.

Ireland = Austria - Austria go through as the've beaten us twice.

Scenarios...I think


Ireland beat Portugal & Austria lose - 
Ireland top of the group with Portugal in second

Ireland  beat Protugal & Austria Win  -  
Ireland top of the group with Austria in second

Ireland draw with protugal - 
Austria must lose or draw with  the North for us to qualify

Ireland lose to Portugal - 
Austria must lose for us to go through

    If Ireland beat Portugal then Austria will remain in 3rd place,
    (they're 4 points behind Portugal....).
    
    Ray....

    After going to the match last night in Lansdowne I was happy with 
    the result but in saying that it was not a classis, Ireland dominated
    but the Latvians were dangerous hitting the bar.  Jeff Kenna was 
    completely at sea playing in the holding role in midfield I never saw
    him put in a tackle all night.  The quicker Roy Keane comes back the 
    better.  Aldo scored two one a penalty when Staunton was hacked down
    and the other a header from a free kick from Staunton.  It was a 
    better Irish performance than of late, probably due to playing two
    strikers.  
    Next match will be a thriller with Ireland needing a result. Just hope
    Keane can  play as wass as the match against Spain in Seville a couple
    of years ago.
    
    
    GS

    I saw about an hour of the Austria-Portugal game on Italian TV, and I
    must say that Austria looked very impressive. Their interpassing was as
    good as anything I've seen of late. 
    
    Both goals were excellent too; Austria's was a lovely move that cut
    through the Portuguese defence, while the Portuguese equaliser was a
    solo goal by their left winger, who beat two defenders and shot from
    the edge of the area.
    
    Dom
    

I have seen Austria against Portugal in the Ernst_Happel_stadium of Vienna.

Austria has played the first 45 minutes extraordinary, much better than 
in both games against Ireland. We had chances for many goals, a 3:0 could
be possible.

In the 2nd 45 minutes Austria played such horrible as against Latvia.
Portugal made a goal - that has been enough for England. Than Portugal
has shown , they are the best in technical in our group, but made no shot
against the Austrian goal. (2 chances for Portugal in 90 minutes, 1 goal).

Normally, Portugal should defeat Ireland, but Portugal is qualified.

Antonio Oliveira (coach of Portugal) promised Austria defeating Ireland in
Lissabon - but he has promised his press to defeat Austria in Vienna.

New scenario: Portugal defeats Ireland, Northern defeats Austria:

Ireland and Northern Ireland would have 17 points !!!


Austria's points against the others:

Portugal		1 point  (1:2 goals)
Ireland			6 points (6:2)!!
Northern Ireland	0 points (1:2)
Latvia			3 points (7:3)
Liechtenstein		6 points (12:0)

Northern Ireland will be the only team making 6 points against Austria ??-
I do not hope so 
.

There is a little chance for myself to visit England next year watching Austria.

 AUSTRIA - PORTUGAL  1:1 (1:0)
 Happel-Stadion; Ref. Lewnikow (RUS)
 44.000; St�ger (21.); P.Santos (49.)


 Austria: Konsel - Sch�ttel, Feier-
 singer, Pfeffer, Schopp - K�hbauer,
 Pfeifenberger, Marasek, St�ger, Herzog
 - Polster (83./Cerny)

 Portugal: Baia - Nelson, Jorge Costa,
 Helder, Paulinho Santos - Secretario
 (59./Sa Pinto), Paulo Sousa, Rui Costa,
 Oceano, Joao Pinto (46./Folha) -
 Domingos  (72./Dominguez)


  1. PORTUGAL        9  6 2 1 26: 7  20
  2. IRELAND         9  5 2 2 17: 8  17
  3. AUSTRIA         9  5 1 3 26: 9  16
  4. NORTH.IRELAND   9  4 2 3 15:12  14
  5. LATVIA         10  4 0 6 11:20  12
  6. LIECHTENSTEIN  10  0 1 9  1:40   1


If Austria will go to Enland or not - group 6 has been the most likeable
group for Austria in this century .

Luis, Portugal has been a fair team and Austria loves the Irish people.
(After the match I was in Vienna's best Irish pub by a Guinness)

Heribert

Uiije : Austria or Ireland (the 2nd in this group) will play in Liverpool.
The 2nd of group 6 is not one of the four best 2nd of all groups.

For this qualifying there are only guilty games between the teams place 1 
till 4. (POR,IRE,North,Austria)

Before the last round:

Austria    7 points       8:6 goals   (against POR: 1 pt, North: 0, IRE: 6 pts)

Ireland    7 points       8:7 goals   (ag.     POR: 3     North: 4  AUT: 0    )

Only to win in the last round would help the 2nd of our group.

Heribert

Interesting situation for Austria next wedneday:
(Austrian spectators have to "watch" six (!) games)

Austria will be 2nd in this group, if

- Austria wins in Northern Ireland
- Portugal wins ag. Ireland, or they play draw

or

- Portugal wins ag. Ireland
- North.Ireland ag. Austria draw


If Austria will be 2nd a new situation will be:

Northern Ireland - Austria draw - > Austria is one of the last two 2nd
(a game in Liverpool, to decide which team will play in EC 1996)

Austria wins in Northern Ireland - two of the following situations must 
happen, that Austria is fixed in EC 1996:

1. Netherlands - Norway  1 or X
2. Sweden - Turkey	 1
3. Slowacia - Romania    1 or X  and Israel loose one point ag. France.


Complicated .....
But if Austria will loose in North.Ireland, this has been all nonsens.

Heribert

    calling John Tooher, calling John Tooher, will the Anchor be showing
    the Portugal match on Wednesday????
    
    Ray....
    
    ps....when will Jack announce the team?...

    team will be named tomorrow waiting on townsend and staunton

    Ray
       I did not get a chance to go to Ayr but the chances are that the 
    Northern Ireland game will be on since both games KO at 8.00pm , still
    we might as well watch it since they might have to do us a favour, so 
    I might see you there for a pint???????.
    
    
        jt.

    See you there John, I rang them and they will be showing the match
    live....
    
    any team news?...I believe Townsend is extremely doubtful
    
    Ray....

    Apparently the match in Portugal is very doubtful as the pitch was
    waterlogged last night when the Irish team turned up to train on it,
    however with the number of tickets sold for the match it will probably
    go ahead on ta damp heavy pitch.
    
    GS

Last news (planned teams):

North. Ireland

Fettis;
Lomas, McDonald, Hill, Worthington;
Gillespie, Lennon, Hughes, O'Neill;
Dowie, Gray

Austria 

Konsel;
Pfeffer,Feiersinger,Kogler;
Marasek, Pfeifenberger, Kuehbauer (?),Schopp;
Herzog,Polster,Stoeger


I'll make my holidays next year in Ireland again (I love this country) , will
see western parts of North.Ireland and I am Austrian - therefore I can enjoy
all results (but Austria at 2nd ... hmmm)


Heribert

    
    	The news this morning said Big Jack will resign if Eire do not
    qualify tonight. In fact their recorded interview with him seemed to
    suggest that he might quit even if they did go through ...
    
    Malc.
    

    I don't think the Big Man would pass up the opportunity to bring his
    team to Euro96....it would be another opportunity for him to stick it
    to the English FA, who never even replied to him when he applied for
    the vacant England manager's job around 1982(?)....however, if we fail
    to qualify I think he will bow out almost immediately, with Mick McCarthy 
    or Brady taking over....
    
    my prediction for tonight is a 1-1 draw in both games, Portugal win the
    group and RoI advance to the play-off in December....(to be honest, a
    play-off is about all we deserve after our performances against Austria
    and Liechtenstein)
    
    Ray....
    
    
    ps....Aldridge MUST play from the start

    
    > it would be another opportunity for him to stick it to the English FA
    
    	Hasn't he done this often enough now ? In fact so often that it is
    getting boring ? Jack has nothing left to prove and it could be he
    fancies a fresh challenge. Or retirement.
    
    	I watched the video of Sunday nights "Kicking And Screaming" TV
    programme last night (it's been a very good series actually, how come
    it hasn't been mentioned here before ?) and it was bemoaning the
    lack of England international success since '66 despite the European
    dominance of their club sides. It compared their record to Ireland
    under JC and more or less said every England manager was useless in the
    tactics department whereas Jack is very astute. Seems reasonable to me.
    
    Malc.
    

    According to the latest sports report the game is definitely going
    ahead.
    Big Jack has named the following team for the game
    
                                   A Kelly
    
            G Kelly       P McGrath       P Babb      D Irwin
    
            J McAteer     J Kenna         S Staunton  M Kennedy
    
                          N Quinn         J Aldridge
    
         

    well someone else is going to have to explain how the north beat
    austria 5-3 and eire lost 3-0 to portugal.
    
    eire finsh second on goal difference above the north and now have to
    play holand at Aldo's former home ground anfield for the last place
    
    Regards
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    Portugal  3  Ireland  0
    Northern Ireland  5  Austria  3
    
    
     After defending so well in the first half, with Paul McGrath the best
     player on the pitch, Ireland then decided to chase the game a bit and
     were left a bit exposed at the back and were punished with a superb
     Rui Costas chip over Kelly, after that Ireland tried to push forward
     and were only rewarded with a couple of half chances were as Portugal
     were always dangerous and with some help from the Irish defence scored
     a further 2 goals to finish in style for Euro96.
     All is not lost with the North beating Austria, sorry Heribert, it
     left us in second place but we have to play off with Holland at
     Anfield on Dec 13th, the Irish are always the same don't like doing it
     the easy way we have to make that bit difficult for are self's. All
     that remains to be said is bring on the Dutch.  

Congratulations to Ireland (2nd place) and North.Ireland.

Goodl luck for Ireland for the qualifying against Netherlands.

Heribert

    BBC Scotland seemed to think that Northern Ireland were third on
    goal-difference. I thought that it was calculated by the results
    between the 2 teams involved, (i.e. RoI won 4-0 and drew 1-1 against
    NI)....
    
    ah well who cares, we're still in with a chance and Anfield will be
    brimful of Irish come December....
    
    Ray....

    There is talk of switching the game to Wembly due to the interest there
    is, hopefully not as I intend coming over from Ireland to Anfield for
    the match for the match.
    
    GS

    Northern Ireland  5 - 3  Austria
    Portugal          3 - 0  Eire
    
    
    Final Table
    -----------
    
                   P   W  D  L  F   A   Pts
    Portugal       10  7  2  1  29   7  23
    Eire           10  5  2  3  17  11  17
    N. Ireland     10  5  2  3  20  15  17
    Austria        10  5  1  4  29  14  16
    Latvia         10  4  0  6  11  20  12
    Liechtenstein  10  0  1  9   1  40   1
    
    Gary
    

This group has been curious.

Austria has a goal difference +15 (29:14) !!!, six points ag.Eire.

NORTHERN IRELAND - AUSTRIA  5:3 (2:0)

Austria played from the beginning straight forward and had three chances
till the 10th minute.
Northern Ireland's victory is o.k., Austria's defenders played making many
mistakes (never seen in this year - nerves ?)

10.000; 1:0 O'Neill (28.), 2:0 Dowie (31./penalty/correct - a stupid foul of
Austria's Pfeifenberger), 3:0 Hunter (53.), 3:1 Schopp (56.), 4:1 Gray (64.)
4:2 Stumpf (70.),5:2 O'Neill (77.), 5:3 Wetl (81.) 
 
Northern Ireland: Fettis - Lomas, Hunter,
Hill, Worthington - Lennon, Gillespie,
O'Neill, Hughes (79./McDonald) - Dowie
(83./Quinn), Gray
Austria: Konsel - Feiersinger -
W.Kogler, Pfeffer - Schopp, K�hbauer
(46./Stumpf), St�ger, Pfeifenberger,
 Herzog (46./Wetl), Marasek - Polster

PORTUGAL  - IRELAND       3:0 (0:0)
80.000; Rui Costa (60.), Cristovao
(74.), Cadete (87.)


Heribert

    
    With reference to the 'who finished second' discussion a couple of
    notes back, the results against specific teams count only AFTER the
    full group result has been determined.  In other words, Eire finish
    second on goal difference, correct no matter what the results against
    the third placed team.
    
    Ian

Table of all 2nd


1. Italy	12:4	13
2. Bulgaria	14:8	12
3. Turkey	11:8	11
4. Scotland	 5:2	11
5. Danmark	 9:7	11
6. France	 8:2	10
___________________________
7. Netherlands	 6:5	 8
8. Ireland	 8:10	 7

Is anybody from the London or Reading area going to Anfield?

If yes, give me a call on 830-2113.  I may even have a spare ticket!

Shane