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Contrasting pasts in Spain - Ireland clash
Historically, the Spanish and the Irish have been connected in many ways. However, these two nations with turbulent 20th century histories have never met in the final stages of a European Championship or a FIFA World Cup™ and they have very different reputations on the world footballing stage.
The Spanish are regarded by many as the most famous underachievers in FIFA World Cup history, while the Irish can make a claim to being consistent overachievers for the past 15 years.
Given that Ireland is ranked 29th out of the 32 teams in the tournament in population - there are less than 4,000,000 people in Ireland - it is quite an achievement that in their three trips to the finals they have reached the knockout round each time. In 1990, they went to the quarter-finals, while in 1994, they were knocked out in the second round by the Dutch.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Spaniards certainly have more of a pedigree, but at the same time, they have never achieved all that has been expected of them. Their success would be enough for most nations - seven times into the second round in eleven tournament appearances, qualified for every tournament since 1974, and 43 matches played to Ireland’s 12 - but for a team the quality of the Spaniards, one semi-final appearance (1950) is definitely disappointing.
This has been exacerbated by both the success of Spanish club teams in European competition and also by the national team’s penchant for qualifying like lions before being slaughtered like lambs in the finals. This has been a combination of lack of focus (the shock loss to Nigeria and draw with Paraguay in ’98, poor luck (Yugoslavia extra-time goal in ’90 and Belgium on penalties in ’86), and the weight of expectation (all of 1982, which they hosted).
But, now Spain seem to have finally shrugged the pressure of being tagged underachievers and are settling into a rhythm of success. They were one of only two teams, vaunted Brazil being the other, to take full points in the group stage, and remarkably they actually seem to be enjoying this first FIFA World Cup in Asia.
After the controversial departure of their captain and guiding light, Roy Keane, the Republic of Ireland no doubt are very pleased just to be in the second round. But, one of their hallmarks has always been a drive to fight and a will to win. They also have one of the dangermen of the tournament in Robbie Keane.
Whether that’s enough to keep them overachieving against a loaded Spanish side is the question. Spanish coach Jose Camacho is certainly not taking anything for granted about the Irish.
“Maybe it's a bit early to say,” he said recently. “But we're talking about one of the best teams (in the tournament) at the moment."
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Contrasting pasts in Spain - Ireland clash
Historically, the Spanish and the Irish have been connected in many ways. However, these two nations with turbulent 20th century histories have never met in the final stages of a European Championship or a FIFA World Cup™ and they have very different reputations on the world footballing stage.
The Spanish are regarded by many as the most famous underachievers in FIFA World Cup history, while the Irish can make a claim to being consistent overachievers for the past 15 years.
Given that Ireland is ranked 29th out of the 32 teams in the tournament in population - there are less than 4,000,000 people in Ireland - it is quite an achievement that in their three trips to the finals they have reached the knockout round each time. In 1990, they went to the quarter-finals, while in 1994, they were knocked out in the second round by the Dutch.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Spaniards certainly have more of a pedigree, but at the same time, they have never achieved all that has been expected of them. Their success would be enough for most nations - seven times into the second round in eleven tournament appearances, qualified for every tournament since 1974, and 43 matches played to Ireland’s 12 - but for a team the quality of the Spaniards, one semi-final appearance (1950) is definitely disappointing.
This has been exacerbated by both the success of Spanish club teams in European competition and also by the national team’s penchant for qualifying like lions before being slaughtered like lambs in the finals. This has been a combination of lack of focus (the shock loss to Nigeria and draw with Paraguay in ’98, poor luck (Yugoslavia extra-time goal in ’90 and Belgium on penalties in ’86), and the weight of expectation (all of 1982, which they hosted).
But, now Spain seem to have finally shrugged the pressure of being tagged underachievers and are settling into a rhythm of success. They were one of only two teams, vaunted Brazil being the other, to take full points in the group stage, and remarkably they actually seem to be enjoying this first FIFA World Cup in Asia.
After the controversial departure of their captain and guiding light, Roy Keane, the Republic of Ireland no doubt are very pleased just to be in the second round. But, one of their hallmarks has always been a drive to fight and a will to win. They also have one of the dangermen of the tournament in Robbie Keane.
Whether that’s enough to keep them overachieving against a loaded Spanish side is the question. Spanish coach Jose Camacho is certainly not taking anything for granted about the Irish.
“Maybe it's a bit early to say,” he said recently. “But we're talking about one of the best teams (in the tournament) at the moment."
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