World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Qualifiers

Oct 15, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Rep. Ireland Republic of Ireland
3-1
Kazakhstan

Keane (16'), O'Shea (26'), Shomko (77' og.)

FT(HT: 2-1)

Shomko (12')

Noel King: 'Huge pressure on Kazakhstan match'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 October 2013

Interim Ireland boss Noel King insists that there is still a lot at stake when his side face Kazakhstan tomorrow despite neither side being able to qualify for the World Cup.

Interim Republic of Ireland manager Noel King has insisted that there is still a lot at stake for his side in their match against Kazakhstan tomorrow.

Both sides have no chance of qualifying for next year's World Cup and are already assured of their finishing positions in Group C, with Ireland fourth on 11 points and Kazakhstan fifth on five.

However, a win for King's side would help them move up in the FIFA rankings, which could mean that they enter the 2016 European Championships qualifying campaign as second seeds, giving them a kinder draw.

"If we win and a couple of other matches go accordingly, we will be a second seed, so it's huge, there's huge pressure on it," King told PA.

"The boys will be aware of this and in terms of seeding for the next group, seeding is critical. If you can get a second seed, well that would be great, better than great. It gives you a real opportunity of qualifying for the tournament."

Ireland have been handed a boost ahead of tomorrow's match as captain Robbie Keane has been passed fit to play.