// March 29th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // Uncategorized
From an Ireland Supporter’s Perspective
Pre-game:
I finally woke up after a restless night, where at one stage I was heard to shout out from my sleep ‘McShane! No!’ and started my pre-game ritual. I ate my Weetbix and read the papers online deciding they were pretty much all in agreement that this was a make or break game; after a decent (and lucky) start to the campaign, Ireland had amassed 10 out of a possible 12 points while Bulgaria had to contend with 3 draws. A home win would surely knock Bulgaria out of the equation and even allow Ireland to dream about challenging Italy for the one automatic qualification places (2nd placed teams go into a playoff). Despite the terrifying statistic that Ireland haven’t beaten a team ranked above them in a competitive game since 2001, the mood in the country was very upbeat, thanks in no small part to the previous weekend which saw the Rugby Team win the Grand Slam for the first time in 61 years and Bernard Dunne become WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion. Surely the soccer team could make it 3 out of 3.
Location:
McCormacks on 3rd Avenue and 27th street was chosen as the venue and I arrived 45 minutes before kickoff to grab choice seats. Still a little shaky from the night before, a full Irish country breakfast was ordered to calm the nerves. The black pudding seemed to do the trick and all systems were go for kickoff.
First Half:
A goal after 35 seconds from Richard Dunne was joyously celebrated, but the enjoyment only lasted a few seconds until we realised that we were now in for up to 89 minutes of sitting back and hanging on for dear life. Most of Ireland’s best results have been achieved in a similar scenario which means that any kind of possible enjoyment from a game would be absent. Bulgaria then pretty much took over the first half in terms of posession but only created one or two decent chances, which were attempted with little confidence from the Berbatov pretenders. We just needed to get to half time and let Trappotoni get us organized again, and amazingly we managed to go in to the break with the lead intact.
Half Time:
Maybe we could actually do this. Another blue moon and the idea of Ireland hanging on for the whole second half started to seem more plausible.
Second Half:
Ireland started the second half a bit better but soon descended into chasing shadows against the technically superior Bulgarians. Still we were causing occasional danger ourselves and Given had rarely been troubled to make a save. However, tragedy was to strike when Kevin ‘special K’ Kilbane managed to side foot a neat finish past his own keeper. It was an accident rather than a mistake, but this didn’t stop a sense of foreboding surrounding the team. Bulgaria were definitely happy with a point (and deserved at least that) and although Ireland managed a few late chances, none were converted so the game ended 1-1.
Post Game:
It’s pretty obvious to everyman and his dog what the shortcomings of the team are but Trappatoni in his wisdom seems to keep ignoring them. Central midfield and fullback are where we’re weakest and probably the most important positions on a team these days. Apart from that, Stephen Hunt showed that as much as we all admire his hardwork, he just has no idea what to do once he has the ball. The really poor performance from Ireland along with no real hope of improvement meant for a pretty depressing mood. The realisation that we now face Italy away followed by the return game against Bulgaria means that there’s an awful lot to do to qualify for South Africa. A few more blue moons, a pitstop at 5 guys burger bar before watching the excellent PaperdoLL perform in Le Royale rounded out the rest of the day. All in all a good Saturday in New York, but that was in spite of the soccer, rather than because of it.
Posted by Cass
From a Neutral’s Perspective
Pre-game:
Before leaving, I think to myself “I should try to wear something supportive.” So, I pull on one of my two green tee shirts — this one says “Wiffle Ball Legend.” Cass and his friends are going to appreciate me going to all this effort. Heck, the entire bar is going to love me. I’m a good guy.
Arrival at McCormack’s:
This isn’t what I had imagined. It’s a quite civilized bar/restaurant, and Cass and his friends are dressed like they will probably go out in the evening directly after watching the game — they are all wearing smart Penguin button shirts. (To review: I’m in a green tee shirt that says “Wiffle Ball Legend.”) I order the Irish breakfast: bacon, three or four types of sausage, eggs, potatoes and toast. I need to visit Ireland.
First half:
These poor Irish fans — their team is terrible. What a lucky first goal. They are being played off their own field by these Bulgarians. But Cass’ Irish friends are really nice. And wow, these Irish announcers are wonderful. They are honest about what’s happening on the field, and are critical of their team’s ability while being supportive of their effort. I wonder if these fellows would consider working for ESPN…
Half-time:
I cannot understand a word of what Cass and his friends are saying to each other. This is really English?
Second half:
More from Bulgaria. I wonder if Stilyan Petrov actually has an equity stake in this field, or he’s just playing like he owns the place. And the right back Manolev, which is DEFINITELY what I would call a friend who was Spanish-Bulgarian, is really fantastic. These terrific Irish announcers remark that he should be playing for a big club in Europe soon — I second that. Then Bulgaria scores — an own goal, but it was coming. The right and left backs for Ireland are atrocious, and are giving a clinic in How to Get Beaten in a Variety of Different Ways. Trappatoni makes a change in the 90th minute, just to mix things up. Nice timing.
Post-match analysis:
Thumbs up – Irish breakfast, Petrov, Manolev, a sprinkling of Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle.
The finger - Paul McShane, Kevin Killbane, some guy named Whelan who was supposedly in midfield, and my silly green tee shirt.
Posted by Lazar
