ROBBIE KEANE HAS said that Ireland cannot afford to lose tomorrow night’s match away to Sweden if they are to have any designs on qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side are currently just a point behind the Swedes, but the latter’s 4-4 draw with Germany has altered the dynamics of the group, and the Irish captain feels it is vital to make up ground with an away point.
“These are the two most important games,” Keane said of the double-header involving Friday’s match and then Tuesday’s at home to Austria. “It’s vitally important by Wednesday we have four to six points. If we lose tomorrow it’s certainly going to be tough. It’s very important we get something out of this game.”
Keane also cited the need for Ireland to approach the game intelligently and spoke of his own altered role.
“Playing away against a strong team, my role changes a small bit, dropping in, make an extra midfield player and play in the hole to stop their midfielders from playing. With the players we have, we can [go for it] but we have to be clever and not naive from the start to try and win the game in the first 20 minutes.
“We’re not here to sit back and let them run all over us. We’re here to give them a game. There’s not much between the two teams. We’re similar in players we have and the way we play. They are at home and fans expect them to get result but we’re here ourselves to get a result. if we roll up our sleeves and do what we do best we’ll be OK.”
Keane, meanwhile, also cited the much-discussed roof as a positive — in contrast to the earlier sentiments of his manager.
“I think it’s going to create a good atmosphere. As a player you thrive on that and it’s something we should be looking forward to.”
