Republic of Ireland sealed their spot in next summer's Euros after completing a 5-1 aggregate victory over Estonia in Dublin.
Dublin draw enough to send Ireland into finals
Republic of Ireland sealed their spot in next summer's European Championship after completing a 5-1 aggregate victory over Estonia in front of a jubilant home crowd in Dublin on Tuesday night.
A 1-1 draw was enough to see Giovanni Trapattoni's side through at the Aviva Stadium following their emphatic 4-0 victory in the first leg of the play-off tie last week.
Stephen Ward was on target for a largely dominant Ireland team as he poked home a rebounded Kevin Doyle header in the first half.
Konstantin Vassiljev responded in the second half with Estonia's equaliser but the beleaguered visitors never really threatened to spring a surprise comeback.
The home faithful erupted on the final whistle as Ireland progressed to an international tournament for the first time in 10 years.
Joyous
There were tears in Paris two years ago but on Tuesday night in Dublin there was unbridled joy for a crowd of 51,151 as a 24-year wait for a return to the European stage came to a joyous end.
Trapattoni is expected to be rewarded with a substantial bonus and a new two-year contract, while his players will reportedly share a 4million Euros reward for their efforts over the campaign.
The Republic will discover who they will face in Poland and the Ukraine when the draw is made in Kiev on December 2nd, but in the meantime, they will celebrate a job well done after securing just their second play-off success in seven attempts by extending their unbeaten run to 11 games.
Few inside or outside either camp had any real doubt that the tie was over by the time the final whistle sounded at the A Le Coq Arena on Friday night with Ireland four goals to the good and Estonia decimated by suspensions.
The second leg itself could have been effectively over within the first six minutes as the Republic ripped into a reshuffled Estonian pack.
But ironically, skipper Robbie Keane, the man whose goals have been the platform for much of what his team has achieved over the last decade, passed up two glorious opportunities to add to his tally of 53.
There were five minutes gone when strike partner Kevin Doyle flicked on Given's clearance for the LA Galaxy man to ghost past central defender Taavi Rahn.
However, keeper Pavel Londak, deputising for the suspended Sergei Pareiko blocked his effort at close range.
Londak found himself staring down the barrel once again seconds later when he could only parry Damien Duff's snapshot from Stephen Hunt's free-kick to Keane five yards out.
The striker shot instantly and instinctively, but uncharacteristically sent the ball wide of the near post to his own astonishment.
Spurred on by their early escapes, Estonia started to work their way into the game with Vassiljev, their most impressive performer in Tallinn, conducting affairs from central midfield.
However, they continued to look vulnerable at the back, and they finally succumbed 14 minutes before the break after central defender Ragnar Klavan had needlessly conceded a corner.
Doyle got his head to Duff's left-wing corner and the keeper could only push the ball out to full-back Stephen Ward, who thumped it past him and into the back of the net.
Trapattoni celebrated on the sidelines as the party in the stands went into full swing with qualification now assured.
Given made his first save three minutes later when he got down to claim Vladimir Voskoboinikov's skidding drive, but his evening was passing largely without incident.
The Estonians returned in determined mood and once again took the game to Ireland, although it was Ward who came closest to altering the scoreline when he forced Londak to save after cutting inside on to his right-foot from Glenn Whelan's pass.
Joel Lindpere, whose return to the international fold for the play-off had sparked such excitement, departed having made little impact with 54 minutes gone, although his side's fortunes changed markedly three minutes later.
Missile
Vassiljev picked the ball up inside the Ireland half and having made ground, smashed a 30-yard missile towards goal.
The ball dipped and swerved and although Given managed to get a hand to it, he could not keep it out as the Republic conceded just their second goal in 11 games.
Central defender Richard Dunne might have restored the home side's lead when he met Keith Andrews's clipped 67th-minute cross with a firm header, but he directed the ball straight at a grateful Londak.
Had it not been for Given, the game might have swung again with 16 minutes remaining when Martin Vunk, having seen his initial effort blocked by Glenn Whelan, unleashed a stinging drive which the Aston Villa keeper managed to turn away at full stretch.
But there was to be no further drama as the Republic qualified on home soil for the first time.
| Republic of Ireland |
Team Statistics |
Estonia |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 7 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
5 |
| 4 |
Corners |
3 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
18 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 78.9 |
Passing Success |
74.1 |
| 12 |
Tackles |
14 |
| 91.7 |
Tackles Success |
78.6 |
| 58.9 |
Possession |
41.1 |
| 52.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.4 |
| 511 |
Total Passes |
344 |
| 14 |
Total Crosses |
14 |
| 167 |
Lost Balls |
160 |
| 65 |
Recoveries |
57 |
|
