Selection mistakes see Trap Pole-axed
Giovanni Trapattoni can?t hide his frustrations at Croke Park last night
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Thursday November 20 2008
Stand-in captain Shay Given blasted the defensive inadequacy which gave a rampant Polish side the platform to rip Giovanni Trapattoni’s unbeaten record to shreds, on a night when the absences of Andy Reid and Stephen Ireland rocked the Italian’s seemingly infallible selection policy.
“I dunno who was supposed to be picking the lad up for the first goal,” said Given, as he reflected on how Polish captain Mariusz Lewandowski rose unattended in the opening minutes to punish yet another poorly defended Irish set-piece.
“We had the worst possible start but we came back well and we were the best team after that. But then we gave away another goal just after half-time but we battled back well and we could have equalised in the end.
“The spirit was good but we are disappointed. Perhaps it’s better to make these mistakes in friendlies when there’s nothing at stake. We can learn from it now and move on.”
Trapattoni’s team suffered an embarrassing system shutdown as the 50,000 supporters, the most vocal of whom supported the away side, witnessed an Irish side struggle to break down the resilient visitors until the late goal rush.
Poland were easily the better side as Trapattoni’s selection blunders haunted him and setpiece fallibility raised questions about the quality of Irish training.
A Stephen Hunt penalty and a cracking strike from debutant Keith Andrews gave Ireland hope in the dying minutes but a third goal from Robert Lewandowski sandwiched inbetween gave Poland breathing space.
More explosive friendly fire had already taken place in Belgrade, when Ireland’s World Cup rivals Bulgaria were trounced 6-1 amidst reports that Dimitar Berbatov will refuse to play on under embattled manager Plamen Markov. The Manchester United star was sensationally ordered to leave the stadium by under-fire manager Plamen markov after suffering a leg injury in the 30th minute.
Speaking on Bulgarian TV, national football team coach Plamen Markov said he did not have plans to quit his post following Bulgaria’s 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Serbia.
“I do not know why you are always speaking about a resignation,” said the beleaguered boss. “I know this is a hot topic in Bulgaria but I do not think a coach’s resignation would make things right.
“The team has an extremely poor performance. Serbia is a strong rival, but the Bulgarian team performed very poorly and the people who watched the match can tell it.
Controlled
Markov said he sent Berbatov off the ground because of a leg injury and he refused to comment on the claims that he might withdraw from the team after the striker’s agent claimed the public were being misled.
Meanwhile, Marcello Lippi equaled a record unbeaten streak last night when Italy came back to earn a 1-1 friendly draw against Greece.
Luca Toni headed in a free kick from Daniele De Rossi in the 54th minute, only four minutes after substitute Fanis Gekas had given the host team the lead.
Lippi guided Italy to the 2006 World Cup title and hasn't lost as coach of the team in 31 matches.
The 60-year-old coach – on two different stints with the team – matched the record shared by Javier Clemente of Spain and Alfio Basile of Argentina.
The Italians controlled most of the game at Karaiskaki Stadium and were denied more goals by reserve goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas.
- David Kelly
