Ireland | 1 - 1 | Estonia |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Ward (32') |  | Konstantin Vassiljev (57') |
| Date | : | Tue, Nov 15, 2011 | Time | : | 20.45 CET |
| Play on | : | European Championship Qualifying |
Konstantin Vassiljev of ram even could not ruin the Republic of Ireland the night as booked their place in the final of Euro 2012 with a 1-1 draw in Dublin.
Estonia midfielder Shay opened a hard drive 30 yards past goalkeeper given 12 minutes after the break to cancel the first half Stephen Ward strike and regain some battered pride of your team.
However, the men wear Giovanni Trapattoni was 4-0 in the second leg play-off means that they were almost certain of his trip to Poland and Ukraine before kickoff.
There were tears in Paris two years ago, but tonight in Dublin was filled with unbridled joy of a crowd of 51,151 and a wait of 10 years for a major tournament final, and 24 to return to the European scene, reached a happy ending.
Trapattoni is expected to be rewarded with a substantial bonus and a new two-year contract, while their players are reported to share a reward of EUR 4 million for his efforts in the campaign.
The Republic will face is found in Poland and Ukraine in the draw takes place in Kiev on 02 December, but meanwhile, will celebrate a job well done after getting just his second play-off success in seven attempts to extend its unbeaten streak to 11 games.
Your preparation could include a friendly match against England in Dublin provided the tie did not pitch in the same group.
Within a few or outside the field whether there was any real doubt that the tie was over by the time the final whistle at the A Le Coq Arena on Friday night with four goals for Ireland and Estonia either decimated by suspensions.
Tonight at the green hordes appeared in force and the holding of early repayment of the nation to the European scene.
The second leg could have been more effective in the first six minutes, the Republic began in a redesigned package Estonian.
But ironically, the captain Robbie Keane, the man whose goals have been the platform for most of what his team has achieved over the past decade, missed two glorious opportunities to add to your account 53.
There were five minutes into the game when his strike partner Kevin Doyle lit Given the space for the player with the Los Angeles Galaxy past the ghost of central defender Taavi Rahn.
However, goalkeeper Pavel Londak, replacing Sergei Pareiko suspended his effort blocked at close range.
Londak found himself staring down the barrel again seconds later when he could only deflect Damien Duff instant Stephen Hunt, Keane free kick five meters away.
The striker fired immediately and instinctively, but strangely sent the ball away from the pole close to his own amazement.
Encouraged by his early escapades, Estonia began to work its way into the game with Vassiljev, the most impressive artist in Tallinn, management of the affairs of midfield.
However, continued to look vulnerable at the back, and finally succumbed 14 minutes before the break after the central defender Ragnar Klavan was granted without the need for a corner.
Doyle has his head on the left Duff corner and goalkeeper could only push the ball at full-back Stephen Ward, who hit him with it and in the back of the net.
Trapattoni held as part of the celebration in the stands, came into full swing with the ratings said.
As he made his first save three minutes later when he got to claim Vladimir Voskoboinikov drive unit, but the night was going largely without incident.
Estonians returned in determined mood and once again took the game to Ireland, although it was the room that was closest to alter the scoring when Londak forced to save after cutting inside of his right foot since the passage of Glenn Whelan.
Joel Lindpere, whose return to the fold for international play-off had generated so much excitement, left with little impact with 54 minutes gone, despite his side's fortune has changed markedly three minutes later.
Vassiljev picked up the ball inside the Irish half and having made ground, a missile crashed 30 yards to the goal.
The ball dipped and swerved and although Given managed to get a hand to him, he could not keep him out of the Republic was only his second goal in 11 games.
Central defender Richard Dunne could have restored the home side the lead when he met with Keith Andrews cut the 67th minute with a header cross-firm, but the ball went straight to a grateful Londak.
Had it not been for Given, the game could have swung back with 16 minutes remaining when Martin Vunk, after seeing his initial effort blocked by Glenn Whelan unleashed a stinging drive that the keeper managed Aston Villa reject full capacity.
But there would be no more drama as the Republic qualified in their homeland for the first time.
Ireland vs Estonia Last 5 match
| Ireland | Estonia |
| Nov 11, 2011, Estonia 0 - 4 Ireland | Nov 11, 2011, Estonia 0 - 4 Ireland |
| Oct 11, 2011, Ireland 2 - 1 Armenia | Oct 11, 2011, Estonia 0 - 2 Ukraine |
| Oct 7, 2011, Andorra 0 - 2 Ireland | Oct 7, 2011, N. Ireland 1 - 2 Estonia |
| Sep 6, 2011, Russia 0 - 0 Ireland | Sep 6, 2011, Estonia 4 - 1 N. Ireland |
| Sep 2, 2011, Ireland 0 - 0 Slovakia | Sep 2, 2011, Slovenia 1 - 2 Estonia |
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