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YOKOHAMA, Japan (Ticker) -- Irish coach Mick McCarthy likely will accept goals on Tuesday as payback for showing faith in his players. Ireland looks to clinch a second-round berth when it faces Group E cellar-dweller Saudi Arabia. If the Irish defeat the Saudis by at least two goals, then the result of the Cameroon-Germany showdown cannot deny the Emerald Isle a place in the round of 16. Already it has been a trying World Cup experience for McCarthy, who had his own personal showdown with former Irish captain Roy Keane. That ended with the Manchester United midfielder being sent home and McCarthy insisting that Ireland was capable of advancing without Keane. Doubts lingered until the player's namesake, striker Robbie Keane, grabbed the equalizer in injury time to lift Ireland to a 1-1 draw with Germany. "We've given ourselves a chance, haven't we?," McCarthy said. "We've still got to go and play the Saudis. ... We're in with a chance." However, the Irish must get more than one goal, courtesy of players like Robbie Keane and fellow forward Damien Duff if they are to post the result neccessary against the side which conceded eight against Germany. The Saudis, who have yet to find the net at the 2002 World Cup, will have an even harder time scoring against the Irish. Striker Sami Al-Jaber was rushed to a Tokyo hospital with appendicitis and will be unable to play on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has collected 53 goals and 150 caps in his international career. Though the Middle Eastern nation already is eliminated from the tournament, Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayan states his side will play for pride and forthcoming possibilities. "This side is now boasting some promising young prospects and I think the future belongs to us in that respect," he said. |
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