Think about it. Ireland only went out to Spain on penalties in the 2nd Round. Surely the presence of one of the best midfielders in the world would have edged it for them. Then it would have been a 1/4final against Korea who played well that year but again surely could have been beaten. The semi-final would have been against Germany who Ireland drew with in the group stage without Keane so might well have beaten them with him. And then the final would have been against Brazil and, well, anything can happen in the final. Ronaldo might have headbutted Shay Given or something. So was it a missed opportunity?
2007-01-10 00:12:05 · 14 answers · asked by Mousewar 2 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ Other - Football
Ok what if we had Chuck Norris instead of Roy Keane?
2007-01-10 01:16:21 · update #1
Has it really taken you almost 5 years to work all this out?
The question has no more relevence now than it had back then.
Roy was sent home....Ireland were knocked out by Spain.
Ireland were lucky to get to extra time in that match, as Spain had 2 perfectly good goals disallowed. They (Ireland) missed one penalty and only equalised from another that 9 out of 10 referees wouldn't have given. They then failed to beat 10 man Spain in extra time and missed 3 out of 5 penlties in the shoot-out. Would Roy Keane have made that much difference to an inept squad?
As to your "Irish progression theory". If you think Ireland would have beaten Germany in the semi-final, then you must accept that they would probably have beaten them in the group match. Ireland then wouldn't have played Spain in the 1st knockout round.
2007-01-10 01:39:57 · answer #1 · answered by dsoc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. You have some convincing reasons why they could have progressed, but I don't think it's as simple as that. To win a World Cup takes belief, I'm not sure enough of the squad (Roy excluded) would have been accustomed to winning competitions at club level which would have hindered them.
Team spirit is another thing which is important (I think this quite often comes together as the tournament progresses and the team builds momentum). Roy may have had a positive or negative effect on this. He was a fiery passionate leader on the pitch, but he slated Man Utd team mates and may have become frustrated with the Ireland team, who would have been a weaker side than his club.
Mind you Greece won the Euros, which was pretty unlikely, so who knows!
2007-01-10 00:34:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As good and influential as Roy Keane was, theres no way Ireland would have won the world cup. It takes more than 1 fine player to make a world cup winning team.
2007-01-10 01:04:35 · answer #3 · answered by liamcorinne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ireland wouldn't win the World Cup with Roy of The Rovers.
additional:
Or Norris out of Corrie?
2007-01-10 00:16:28 · answer #4 · answered by leedsmikey 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes Roy Keane would of knocked out all the other players and then Ireland would of won for sure.......
2007-01-10 00:19:29 · answer #5 · answered by Puma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dream on.
Maybe if they'd had Keane, O'Ronaldo, O'Ronaldinhio, O'Maradona and O'Pele in the squad then they MIGHT have reached the quarter finals, but no further.
2007-01-10 03:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You never know,but i don't think they would have.
2007-01-10 02:26:38 · answer #7 · answered by duracell18 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be silly
2007-01-10 00:30:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can dream on.
2007-01-10 00:22:45 · answer #9 · answered by alan r. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you have to be joking?
2007-01-10 01:58:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋