11 October,2017 09:00 AM IST | Cardiff (UK) | AFP
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill fears every single potential opponent in the World Cup play-offs, but after eliminating Wales, he thinks few teams will want to face his side
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill fears "every single" potential opponent in the World Cup play-offs, but after eliminating Wales, he thinks few teams will want to face his side. Ireland won 1-0 in Cardiff on Monday courtesy of James McClean's 57th-minute strike to take second place in Group 'D' at Wales' expense and secure berths in next month's European play-offs. Italy and Portugal are among the teams Ireland could face, but O'Neill was upbeat.
Martin O'Neill
"I don't think everybody would want to play us," he told reporters. "Do I fear teams? Absolutely. Every single one of them. I've always feared teams. That's the way to be. Then we go out and beat them. Or so I try. I don't think anybody would want to play Italy or Portugal, although Portugal might beat Switzerland (and qualify automatically). And there's about six others I'd rather not have. But I am delighted to be in it."
