Trapattoni sets sights high after win

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Trapattoni's men ran out 2-1 winners at the Bruchweg Stadium in Mainz to make the most of FIFA's decision to switch the game to a neutral venue because of the political situation in Georgia.

The Italian now has few doubts about his target and said: "We are not sure, but we are convinced we can go and qualify."

He added: "It's too early to think about qualification, but success in an away game like this, on Wednesday we now have high spirits.

"I must be happy because I saw some good things in our mentality. All the players worked for the result and they are happy in the dressing room.

"They were happy, because they now believe."

Kevin Doyle's sixth international goal gave Ireland a 13th-minute lead, and they might have been out of sight before the Georgians briefly rallied.

Robbie Keane hit the post after the break, but the points were safe when goalkeeper Giorgi Loria spilled Glenn Whelan's 70th-minute effort into his own net to hand the Stoke midfielder his first goal for his country.

Levan Kenia pulled one back for the Georgians deep into injury time, but it was the Republic who deservedly emerged victorious.

Trapattoni said: "They [the players] were a little disappointed with the late goal, but it's a little detail like in the past. We cannot concede a goal like that, but the players were tiring."