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Saturday October 31, 2009

Trapattoni leaves Reid out squad to face France

DUBLIN: Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni again left out midfielder Andy Reid when he picked his squad Friday for next month's World Cup playoff against France.

Trapattoni picked nine midfielders in a 25-man squad for the two-legged playoff.

Sunderland's Reid, recognized as one of his country's most creative players, has not played for Ireland since Trapattoni took charge after the team failed to reach last year's European Championship.

Damien Duff played in Ireland's last group qualifier and is likely to add to his 78 international appearances on the left of midfield.

Ireland finished second to Italy in its qualifying group and can clinch a place at next year's tournament with victory over 1998 World Cup winner France.

"We performed strongly throughout the qualifying group stages," Trapattoni said.

"We were undefeated in all 10 games and this is a reflection of how we have played and also the mental strength of this team. "France have a strong squad, but we go into this playoff knowing that we are only 180 minutes away from qualifying for the World Cup."

Ireland hosts France on Nov. 14. The return match is four days later.

Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Manchester City), Keiren Westwood (Coventry), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).

Defenders: John O'Shea (Manchester United), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Kevin Kilbane (Hull), Eddie Nolan (Preston), Sean St. Ledger (Middlesbrough), Paul McShane (Hull), Darren O'Dea (Reading).

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Damien Duff (Fulham), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Keith Andrews (Blackburn), Liam Miller (Hibernian), Stephen Hunt (Hull), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Liam Lawrence (Stoke).

Forwards: Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton), Robbie Keane (Tottenham), Shane Long (Reading), Leon Best (Coventry), Anthony Stokes (Hibernian). - AP


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