RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Ireland Goalkeeper Given Hits Out At FIFA After Being Paired With France
The Irish shot stopper is not too happy with the prospect of facing Les Bleus.
Oct 19, 2009 12:10:24 PM
Ireland were paired with 2006 World Cup finalists France in Wednesday's draw for the World Cup UEFA play-offs and this was reason enough for shot stopper Shay Given to hit out at FIFA once again for seeding the top teams in the draw.
"The seeding thing is totally unfair. As one of the smaller countries, it is hard enough to qualify at the best of times. To change the rules a couple of weeks before the end of the campaign is ridiculous. But that is what they have done," Given was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"But we went to Bari and got a result. We also went to Bulgaria. There is great belief that we can go to these big nations and get results. We should have beaten Italy last week. They scored with the last kick of the game. We have to learn from that.
"We have enough experience to see the game out but we didn't do it. We do get great belief and confidence from matches like that. The seeding thing has spurred us a bit more. You think the whole world is against you.
"If they had made the rules from day one, you would have got your head round it. Just to change it a couple of weeks ago was farcical, as far as the smaller countries are concerned.
"We want to be in South Africa. Every player wants to play in the World Cup finals against the best players in the world. It is a special World Cup when the Irish supporters are there. Hopefully we can get there," he concluded.
Stefan Coerts, Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
"The seeding thing is totally unfair. As one of the smaller countries, it is hard enough to qualify at the best of times. To change the rules a couple of weeks before the end of the campaign is ridiculous. But that is what they have done," Given was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"But we went to Bari and got a result. We also went to Bulgaria. There is great belief that we can go to these big nations and get results. We should have beaten Italy last week. They scored with the last kick of the game. We have to learn from that.
"We have enough experience to see the game out but we didn't do it. We do get great belief and confidence from matches like that. The seeding thing has spurred us a bit more. You think the whole world is against you.
"If they had made the rules from day one, you would have got your head round it. Just to change it a couple of weeks ago was farcical, as far as the smaller countries are concerned.
"We want to be in South Africa. Every player wants to play in the World Cup finals against the best players in the world. It is a special World Cup when the Irish supporters are there. Hopefully we can get there," he concluded.
Stefan Coerts, Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
41 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February
The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.
-
DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream
In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.
-
ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein
Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
POLL: Should Copa America 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally?
The spray, which has been designed to stop defensive walls from encroaching closer than 10 yards to the ball at free kicks, is set to be discussed at next month's IFAB meeting.
Advertisement
Advertisement
