Ireland Eye Play Off Spot For EURO 2012

The Republic of Ireland produced the professional performance that was required to defeat Andorra in the Estadi Communal stadium and set up a contest of critical importance at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.

Ireland will now play Armenia in the final match of the qualifying league series in Group B of EURO 2012 knowing that if they avoid defeat they will be involved in a play-off for a place in the final tournament next year.

A place in the Poland/Ukraine finals beckons for an Irish team after dealing comfortably with the spikey challenge of a spirited but inelegant Andorra. Two goals within 20 minutes of kick-off effectively settled any doubts about the result of the match and Ireland were assured and confident as they controlled the game.

Meanwhile Russia virtually assured themselves of the one automatic qualifying place in the finals by beating Slovakia 1-0 in Zilina. It mattered not at all that their goal came from a shot from 25 yards that was deflected over the goalkeeper's head, the three points have made their position secure.

They will now play Andorra in their final match in Moscow on Tuesday while Ireland will have to cope with the team that is probably entitled to be regarded as the form team just now. Armenia beat Andorra 3-0 and Slovakia 4-0 last month and they defeated Macedonia 4-1 in Yerevan.

Andorra struggled to cope with the Irish challenge and they were over-run by the pace and direct football that Ireland produced while chasing the goals they needed to make the points safe. Significantly both Ireland's goals came from set-pieces as awkward opponents conceded corners and free-kicks as they looked to contain Ireland.

Ireland had gone close on a couple of occasions and Robbie Keane had struck the crossbar before Kevin Doyle scored after just seven minutes. A corner from Damien Duff saw Darren O'Dea, Keane and John O'Shea all get a touch before Doyle knocked it home.

The second goal came in the 20th minute from a clever free kick. The free was from 22 yards and Glenn Whelan rolled the ball to the left of goal for Aiden McGeady to set himself up for a shot that took a deflection as it flew past the goalkeeper.

Ireland were guilty of playing the ball long too often from defence afterwards but there was no surprise to see them adopt a very pragmatic approach to the rest of the game. The Russia and Armenia games had earlier kick-offs and Ireland must have known the relative standings long before the end. The significance of next Tuesday's match surely weighed on Irish minds.

McGeady, who was in dynamic form on Ireland's left wing, hammered a shot against an upright and Keane failed to convert several good opportunities as Ireland created chances with regularity. Proof that Ireland's focus was already on Tuesday's match came as two players who were on yellow cards from previous matches were withdrawn in the second half, Glenn Whelan and Kevin Doyle.

In this regard the yellow card booking of Stephen Ward after 32 minutes was unfortunate. He was looking for a penalty as he tumbled in the penalty area but was guilty of diving and he will miss the match against Armenia as a result.

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni expressed his delight at the result: "We started very, very well and played with determination to win. In the opening 20 minutes we had several chances to score and with the two goals the result was settled."

He spoke with confidence of the Armenia match: "With the results tonight we have to play to win. A draw would be good but with the mentality the team showed tonight we will win and achieve the second place."

Ireland will go into the game with the knowledge that they defeated Armenia in the opening series of matches in Yerevan and they will take encouragement from that. As well the team's achievement in denying Andorra a goal meant they have now played in eight consecutive matches without conceding a goal - 720 minutes without concession.

This is a run that would reflect well on any team and with Ireland's talisman, Richard Dunne, returning after suspension Ireland will be driven and ambitious. They will also be looking for the enthusiastic support of a packed stadium as Kevin Doyle stressed.

"We cannot take anything for granted, Armenia have had a great run," he said, "they made it very difficult for us in their place when we won 1-0 and we would be happy with that again.

"The Aviva is a big stadium to fill and hopefully it will be a full and noisy house for us when we run out."

Aiden McGeady spoke of the determination to settle the game against Andorra early: "People were a bit apprehensive before the game because it was a game we had to win to cement our place and the early goals did that.

"We beat Armenia first time out but they are on a good run and it has turned a little now. It will be a close game and one we are going to have to take points from."