"If I'd been there in the dressing room after the game, I wouldn't be talking about the handball. I'd focus on why the defenders didn't clear it. They should've cleared it.
"I'd be more annoyed with my defenders and my goalkeeper than Thierry Henry. How can you let the ball bounce in your six-yard box? How can you let Thierry Henry get goal-side of you? If the ball goes into the six-yard box, where the hell is my goalkeeper? These are skills and lessons you learn as a schoolboy.
"Ireland had their chances in the two games and they never took them but it's the usual FAI (Football Association of Ireland) reaction - 'we've been robbed, the honesty of the game...' It's rubbish."
Keane has never seen eye to eye with Irish soccer officialdom and walked out of the squad on the eve of the 2002 World Cup over his frustration at what he considered sub-standard preparations.
The former Manchester United midfielder also pointed out that Ireland had benefited from a controversial penalty in their favour in a 2-1 qualifying win over Georgia.
"It was one of the worst decisions I've ever seen which changed the whole course of the game," he said.
"I don't remember the FAI after the game saying we should give them a replay."
via www.nytimes.com
Gotto love Keano for saying it like it is always! Although you can't deny it was a little predictable given his equation with FAI - you almost knew which side of the debate he will land on.
Posted by: Rahul Ganjoo | 11/20/2009 at 07:41 AM
Yes, of course!
Posted by: Alex Deve | 11/20/2009 at 08:57 AM