TIRED but elated Ipswich Town skipper Matt Holland today hailed the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualification as being "a wonderful achievement."The Blues captain played well in the central midfield as Mick McCarthy's men made the finals in Iran yesterday.
By Dave Allard
TIRED but elated Ipswich Town skipper Matt Holland today hailed the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualification as being "a wonderful achievement."
The Blues captain played well in the central midfield as Mick McCarthy's men made the finals in Iran yesterday.
They lost 1-0 in front of 120,000 fans but secured a 2-1 aggregate success.
Holland, who travelled back with the team through the night, said before going to bed at his Essex home: "I feel very tired but very happy at what we've achieved. It was a very daunting place to go and play as we knew it would be.
"Everyone has worked so hard through the qualification games and now we can all have our World Cup Final dreams."
Ireland's World Cup heroes were greeted at Dublin Airport by hundreds of fans, who
waited through the night to show their appreciation to McCarthy and his men.
Holland reported that he has no injury worries following the game and is set for Ipswich action against Bolton on Sunday.
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