St Ledger backs Republic to cause upset

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 will meet either France, Portugal, Russia or Greece over two legs on November 14 and 18 when the draw is made in Zurich at lunchtime on Monday.

"I am sure the whole country and everyone involved is looking forward to it," said the Middlesbrough defender, who is on loan from Preston. "Obviously, it's going to be a big team that we'll face, but I'm sure the teams who are seeded are going to be looking at the other teams and hoping to avoid us."

Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia are the three other teams in pot two for the draw at FIFA's headquarters.

So far coach Giovanni Trapattoni and his players have been guarded in expressing who they wish to face for the prize of a place at next year's finals in South Africa.

Greece have faded since winning Euro 2004 and would be the obvious choice, but France and Portugal endured troubled qualifying campaigns that proved they are vulnerable.

Russia are the only side to have been singled out by Trapattoni - he dislikes their artificial pitch at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium - though with Guus Hiddink at the helm the Italian knows he will also lock horns with a canny operator.

Liam Lawrence believes that whoever the Republic draw, they face a formidable challenge to reach the World Cup.

"There are some big teams in there now, so we have just got to take the draw as it comes," said the Stoke winger.

"They are all big sides, so we are not hoping for one team over any other because they are all really good. We have just got to take it as it comes and hopefully play well."