Keane rallies Irish troops

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Republic face a make-or-break World Cup play-off decider against Raymond Domenech's star-studded French team, who left Croke Park on Saturday night with a precious 1-0 lead, but - while the odds may be stacked heavily against the Irish - skipper Keane remains convinced their destiny is in their own hands.

He said: "As a team, we know exactly what we have to do - we have to go out and perform and make sure we have got no regrets."

He added: "Overall, in the campaign itself, we haven't lost away from home and that has given us a lot of confidence.

"The manager has instilled that into us because the performances away from home have certainly been good and that's something we can take into the game also.

"It has been a decent campaign for us - but it will mean nothing if we don't produce. We are in this campaign to be at the World Cup and this game will decide it."

Ireland have won only one of the previous five play-offs in which they have been involved over the years and the fact no side has ever reached the World Cup finals after losing the first leg does not bode well.

However, Keane is confident the final 90 minutes of the qualifying campaign - it could yet be 120 - might just produce a major surprise.

He said: "We know exactly our job that we have to do and, if we don't do our job, we won't be going to the World Cup, it's as simple as that.

"By no means is it going to be easy but I certainly believe, with this squad of players we have, there is certainly a twist in this game, there's no question about that."