Trap focus on the "little details"

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has again urged his players to look after the ‘little details’ ahead of next month’s two-legged Euro 2012 play-off with Estonia.
 

Trap has consistently talked about the  'little detail' - and as he assessed the play-off draw, the veteran manager again highlighted their importance.

Irish eyes were smiling in Krakow after the Republic of Ireland were paired with Estonia in the Euro 2012 play-offs this afternoon. The draw was made in The Sheraton Hotel by one of Trapattoni’s former players, the ex Juventus and Poland star Zbigniew Boniek.
 

The ‘luck of the Irish’ was again on Trap’s side today as they got the draw they wanted. Trap’s job is on the line and the Italian was surely content that his side had avoided some of the more tricky assignments - and the Green Army has welcomed a trip to Tallinn.

The first leg will be in Tallinn on November 11th with the return leg at The Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 15th. Estonia was the tie most Irish fans had been hoping for and they breathed a sigh of relief as they avoided Turkey, who were the first team draw out of the bowl. “It is extremely positive for Ireland that we will play the first leg away,” said Trapattoni.

“We should not underestimate our opposition, or any team, including Estonia, to have made it through to the play-off, they must have quality and mental fortitude.

“Our build up to this stage of the competition has shown us the importance of organisation, attention to detail, and self-belief. That will be vitally important to us as we prepare for these games in November.”
 

On Tuesday night, Ireland rode their luck in parts in defeating Armenia 2-1 in Dublin to secure their billing as top seeds - and now the Boys in Green will head into next month’s two-legged play-off as
the favourites. Despite captain Robbie Keane being a major injury concern and Kevin Doyle set to sit out the first leg through a suspension, Ireland will be confident of taking a positive result back to what could be one of those special Irish nights in Ballsbridge - that is, if leg one goes according to plan.

Estonia upset the odds to overcome Serbia and Slovenia to earn second spot in Group C, behind Group winners Italy, with Tarmo Ruutli’s men ten points adrift of the Azzuri.
 

Slovenia’s 1-0 win over Serbia on Tuesday confirmed Estonia’s second-placed finish. They overcame Northern Ireland twice in the group stages, winning 4-1 in Estonia before coming away from Windsor
Park with a 2-1 win.
 

Irish fans have fond memories of Estonia. On their way to the play-offs for the 2002 World Cup - Ireland’s last major finals - Mick McCarthy’s men recorded two 2-0 wins over Estonia. Mark Kinsella and Richard Dunne scored the goals in Dublin with Dunne again on target with Matt Holland in Tallinn.
 

More recently, Shamrock Rovers recorded a Champions League win over FC Flora Tallinn. Ireland were relieved to avoid Turkey, with whom they had a forgettable play-off battle for Euro 2000. After a 1-1 draw in Dublin, the teams played out a scoreless draw in Bursa to send the Turks through on the away goals rule.
 

The game ended in a brawl with Tony Cascarino on the end of some heavy-handed treatment. Next month, though, the Green Army heads to Tallinn confident of seeing their side book what would be the only the country’s second ever appearance at the Euro finals.
 

In the other games, Turkey take on Croatia, the Czech Republic face Montenegro and Bosnia meet Portugal.
 

Further information on ticketing for  both legs of the play off will follow. Discussions will take place with the Estonian FA in the coming days to determine allocations for away fans.