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Keen on Keane Ireland captain possible vs. Iran; players fine with travel
Updated: Thursday November 01, 2001 1:17 PM
DUBLIN (Reuters) -- Fulham defender Steve Finnan said on Thursday that he saw no problem in travelling to Iran for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup playoff later this month and was sure his fellow players felt the same. Manager Mick McCarthy's team play in Tehran on November 15 for the second leg of a tie they must win to secure their place in the finals in Japan and South Korea next year. The first leg takes place in Dublin on November 10. Finnan said he could not imagine the Republic of Ireland squad following the example of Chelsea, who sent a weakened team to Israel for a UEFA Cup clash against Hapoel Tel Aviv two weeks ago. Six Chelsea players missed the game, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for the English side, with five of them citing security concerns following the September attacks on the United States and the subsequent U.S. led strikes on Afghanistan, as their reason for staying at home. "Either we all go or none of us go," Finnan told reporters on Thursday. "Chelsea gave the players the chance not to go. I can understand that, obviously players have families to think of, but I am sure that won't happen with Ireland. "Mick McCarthy has been out there and said everything is fine so I don't see a problem at all. "All the players trust him and as the situation stands I will be happy to go and I am sure it is the same for any other players." McCarthy watched both legs of Iran's playoff against the United Arab Emirates, and has said he is not worried about playing in Tehran. "I was there (Iran) for the first leg against the UAE last week and we were treated with great respect and friendliness and given a very warm welcome," he told Irish state broadcaster RTE on Thursday. "I wouldn't ask the players to do anything I wouldn't do and there is not a problem. The only problem we have got is beating Iran -- they are pretty good." Confident McCarthy is confident his inspirational captain Roy Keane will be fit for the first leg in the Irish capital. Keane is nursing a knee injury that will probably keep him out of Manchester United's premier league clash with Liverpool on Sunday. But after speaking to United manager Alex Ferguson the Ireland boss expects the influential midfielder to be fit for the Lansdowne Road game six days later. "It will be magnificent to have him back and involved -- his importance in the ties that decide our World Cup fate should not be underestimated," McCarthy said. Iran qualified for the play-off by beating the UAE 3-0 in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to complete a 4-0 aggregate victory. Squad: Goalkeepers: Alan Kelly (Blackburn Rovers); Shay Given (Newcastle United); Dean Kiely (Charlton Athletic). Defenders: Steve Staunton (Aston Villa); Ian Harte (Leeds United); Richard Dunne (Manchester City); Gary Breen (Coventry City); Andy O'Brien (Newcastle United); Gary Kelly (Leeds United); Kenny Cunningham (Wimbledon). Midfielders: Mark Kinsella (Charlton Athletic); Roy Keane (Manchester United); Lee Carsley (Coventry City); Jason McAteer (Sunderland); Matt Holland (Ipswich Town); Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland); Steve Finnan (Fulham); Mark Kennedy (Wolverhampton Wanderers); Stephen Reid (Millwall). Forwards: Rory Delap (Southampton); Niall Quinn (Sunderland); Robbie Keane (Leeds United); David Connolly (Wimbledon); Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace).
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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