Behind closed doors in Seoul, and armed soldiers on those closed doors our Boys took in their first training session in the Korean Capital. As far as the media were concerned Mick was not happy with the Training facilities, and this is utter rubbish. Mick and the FAI were given a choice of three FIFA approved training facilities on their arrival in South Korea. Mick visited one of the grounds on Wednesday, but decided to visit the other two on Thursday morning before making a decision. After visiting the Sang Moo Military Base (the 2nd choice) on Thursday morning, Mick decided there was no need to see the final ground. And he has decided that the base will be Ireland's training facility while they remain in Seoul.
Injury Updates
Stan is currently resting a thigh injury, while Keano and Kev Kilbane are in the process of shaking off respective knee and groin injuries sustained in our 3-0 win over the Saudis. Dean Kiely it has been reported required the assistance of a dentist in Seoul for a tooth complaint. All of them rested from today’s training session.
On the BBCs coverage of the World Cup this evening Mick had the following to say – “Anybody who thinks that we are going to turn up on the day, and allow Spain to dominate proceedings, well then that’s crazy. Its absolute nonsense to think that we cannot win this game. The Republic of Ireland team have been producing ‘too good’ a style of football for that to happen. And remember, the bigger they are the harder they fall”
So that about sums it up, in that our team Spirit is as high as it ever was. And apart from a few knocks we should have full 22 men to pick from. Not that Mick will make any changes to the starting line up as we know it, except maybe for the currently out of form Ian Harte. Although Mick would not ever criticise any of his player’s ability as footballers, surely Harte’s last two performances against the Germans and the Saudis is a cause for concern.
Gary Breen - Found a new club?
According to speculation in Brescia the Serie A side have made inquiries about our very own center back, Gary Breen. Breen is currently valued at about GBP£5m, and todays Star even linked him to Barcelona. Well it was the Star!
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