Ireland’s caretaker soccer boss Noel King has lambasted controversial pundit Eamon Dunphy in the wake of his team’s 3-0 World Cup defeat to Germany in Cologne.
King took charge of the national side for the first time for Friday’s penultimate qualifier when the faint hopes of qualification for Brazil finally expired.
A cautious Ireland fell behind to a Sami Khedira goal after just 12 minutes and conceded a second to Andre Schurrle on the hour mark before Arsenal new boy Mesut Ozil wrapped it up in the dying minutes.
The win confirms Germany’s place at next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil with Sweden, courtesy of a 2-1 home win over Austria, into the play-offs in Ireland’s group.
Interim boss King, set to remain in charge for Tuesday’s final qualifier against Kazakhstan and for two possible friendlies next month, sent out a strange looking Irish team after captain Robbie Keane failed a late fitness test.
No wingers were included in a five man midfield of Anthony Stokes, Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, James McCarthy and Marc Wilson.
The selection drew criticism from Dunphy who claimed it ‘made former manager Giovanni Trapattoni look like Pep Guardiola’.
But an angry King responded after the game when he criticised Dunphy and fellow RTE pundits Liam Brady and Johnny Giles.
King told the post match press conference: “Eamon who? That’s a comedy programme that they have on after every match isn’t it? Maybe it’s a joke but I don’t get it.”
“How many times have you watched that comedy show? It’s so old, so so antiquated. It’s a funny show and that’s what they do. I’d be disappointed if they didn’t do that. Real football people know what went on tonight.
“We have good professional players who acquitted themselves well in the green shirt. They never stopped trying to defend. They never stopped trying to counter-attack.
“I don’t care who sees the opposite but you boys were here and if you didn’t see that there is something wrong with your lamps.
“We had a smashing bunch of players playing against a top team. I’m sick we lost and I’m sick with the scoreline but I’m happy with the lads in terms of application.”
King is set to ring the changes for Tuesday night’s home game against Kazakhstan after failing to make any substitutions in Germany.
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