Staunton: We'll pick ourselves up for Wednesday

Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland side headed to Prague today determined to quickly banish the disappointment of their failure to hold out for three priceless Euro 2008 qualifying points in Slovakia.

Marek Cech's injury-time equaliser dealt a major blow to the hopes of Staunton's men, who had been heading for victory after Kevin Doyle's stunning 30-yard strike in the 57th minute in the Tehelne Pole Stadium.

Cech's goal leaves the Irish trailing the second-placed Czechs by three points in Group D, and desperately in need of a victory on Wednesday night in order to realistically keep their qualification hopes alive.

But Staunton still has cause for optimism, not least because three points would lift the Republic into second place, ahead of their key group rivals on the new UEFA head-to-head rule.

Staunton said: 'We will pick ourselves up. We will be disappointed with it but it is over with and we have to move on. We have got a big game on Wednesday night and we know what we have to do.

'I think we always had to win that game. We know we have to go and beat the Czechs. I know from the disappointment in the dressing room there is a real determination to put things right.'

Staunton's side ought to have been heading to Prague in an all together better mood, having twice held the lead on a heavy pitch in front of a 12,360 crowd of which three-quarters were Irish.

But recent history repeated itself with the visitors once again unable to hold onto their lead. The Republic failed to clear their lines and Cech lashed home the loose ball for a goal which was not enough to maintain the Slovaks' own slim hopes.

'I think when you're away from home it's natural that the mentality of the players is to drop deep,' added Staunton. 'I want to change that mentality and if we do that we will see the game through.'

The Irish had made an encouraging start as they sought to shatter an extraordinary statistic of 20 years without a significant away win in a qualifying match, and were ahead inside seven minutes.

The superb Kevin Kilbane crossed into the box where Robbie Keane's unselfish step-over provided Stephen Ireland the simplest of chances to knock home his fourth goal in five Republic starts.

Ireland came close to adding a second when he curled a shot inches wide in the 29th minute, before the Slovaks hit back with the pressure which produced their equaliser, Maros Klimpl heading home Vratislav Gresko's 37th minute corner.

Kilbane shot straight at Senecky on the stroke of half-time but Slovakia looked stronger at the start of the second half, Paul McShane's tackle denying Filip Holosko a chance, and Marek Mintal sending a diving header inches wide.

The Irish grabbed back the lead out of nowhere in the 57th minute when Reading man Doyle picked up the ball 30 yards from goal, turned and unleashed an unstoppable left-foot shot past Senecky.

It was a goal which deserved to win any game. But Ireland's previous failings became all too evident once again, as they retreated too deep and presented the initiative back to the Slovaks.

Richard Dunne had to boot clear from Matej Krajcik in the six-yard box and Shay Given saved well from Gresko. But with time up on the stadium clock, Cech pounced to steer the ball home from the edge of the box.

'I wouldn't say it's a bad result,' insisted Staunton afterwards. 'We're still on course. We're playing in two difficult away games in a short space of time and it will be nice to get to the next game.'

It remains to be seen how much of a physical toil the Bratislava game took out of the Irish players, with Staunton confirming a number had taken knocks on a pitch rendered very heavy by two days of rain.

'We took Kevin Doyle off as a precaution because he had a hamstring strain, and Richard Dunne took a heavy knock in the first half but played on,' added Staunton. 'We will have to see how they are.'

Source: Soccernet.com