No Such Thing as the Luck of the Irish

Roy Keane? Who's he? Four days ago, the spectre of the Republic of Ireland's absent captain was still haunting a team that had been grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons.

With the talismanic midfield general thousands of miles away and the rift between manager and skipper wider still, the Irish team looked like a rudderless ship lacking direction with the World Cup countdown almost over.

Irish get down to business

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon and all the blarney concerning the bust-up between Mick McCarthy and Keane was forgotten. Well, almost...

The Republic had secured a confidence-boosting 1-1 draw against African high flyers Cameroon, and even the news of Germany's 8-0 thrashing of the Saudis couldn't dampen its spirits.

Matt Holland's 52nd minute equalizer rocked the Indomitable Lions and kept the Irish dream alive.

Even the mighty roar of the Republic's supporters couldn't drown out the audible sigh of relief that escaped Mick McCarthy's lungs when the Ipswich Town captain struck his fourth international goal with right-footed pinpoint accuracy.

Eight goal Germans stand up to be counted

Now comes the ultimate test in Group E.

"Germany were the favourites in our group before the tournament and that has not changed," said Shay Given, Ireland's number one.

The Newcastle United goalkeeper is expected to return between the posts despite a hip injury sustained against the Lions.

It looks likely that he will be the man in the firing line as the Irish face a daunting challenge against a Germany team which almost certainly put Saudi Arabia out of the World Cup on Saturday.

"It is going to be tough but there is no reason why we cannot get a good result. The fact they won 8-0 was a bit of a shock, but Germany are a top team and are capable of doing that."

Given believes the Republic are capable of getting at least a draw in a Group E match which will have a huge bearing on their chances of making the last 16 knockout stage.

Republic likely to be at full strength

The Republic's boss, Mick McCarthy, has had more good news in the wake of his side's hard-fought mental victory.

The manager is confident that Gary Breen and Steve Finnan will recover from their knocks to take their places in the back four. Breen, with a hamstring problem, and Finnan with a groin strain, sat out training on Monday.

"All the ones with knocks and who sat it out on Monday - Gary, Stevie and Shay - will be fine," said McCarthy.

Rehmer and Ramelow ready

The Germans are considering changes to their inspired formation for the testing clash with the Irish.

Defender Marko Rehmer could be in line for a recall as the Germans prepare for the game that could see them through to the next stage.

The Hertha Berlin wing-back has been out of action for three months with ankle and shoulder injuries but is now fit and is pushing Christoph Metzelder for his place.

Assistant coach Michael Skibbe said on Monday that Rehmer was a "real option" for the game in Ibaraki.

Skibbe also confirmed that centre-back Carsten Ramelow has recovered from the thigh problem which led to his substitution during the romp against Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

"Everyone is in good physical shape," Skibbe declared.

The two favourites to qualify from this group meet in a match likely to gain huge interest today lunchtime in Europe.

The Germans will arrive here having already grabbed maximum points in their opening game.

They will be relieved to seal qualification with unpredictable Cameroon waiting to ruin the party in their final group game.

Coach warns about resting on laurels

But German coach Rudi Völler warned his players against complacency.

"We have to keep our feet on the ground because we know our opponent wasn't that strong on Saturday," said Völler.

"The team was amazingly focused, everyone was motivated and we overcame Saudi Arabia with our combination and technique."

The coach, a world champion with Germany in 1990, added that the Irish would prove to be a sterner test. "We have to make sure we prepare well for the next match," he said.

Chance to renew old acquaintances

Many of the players facing each other today will be familiar to each other. However, one person will not be missed.

Oliver Kahn is unlikely to shed any tears over the absence of his Champions League nemesis Keane after meeting regularly over the past few seasons with Bayern Munich and Manchester United respectively.