The Republic of Ireland team has been drawn with Germany, Sweden, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan in the qualification group for the 2014 World Cup finals to be played in Brazil.
Top-ranked Germany have been in every World Cup tournament since 1954, the year as West Germany they upset Hungary for the title. So pundits have been suggesting that the 3rd-seeded Republic would battle it out with Sweden to qualify for the playoff round.
German assistant coach Oliver Bierhoff declared himself pleased. "We are very pleased and, of course, happy that we don't meet France," he said. "But we also play against some well-known teams that we should not underestimate." He added that there was always a "big atmosphere" at games in Dublin.
"On paper Ireland are behind Sweden but we see them as being as strong as Sweden and with Trapattoni it will not be easy," Bierhoff said, referring to Ireland's current manager.
Faroes' boss Brian Kerr said he'd had a premonition that his team would be grouped with the Republic, which he managed from 2003 to 2005. However, the Dubliner hinted that he may not be in charge of the Faroes by the time the World Cup qualification kicks off in September 2012. Kerr said: ''A lot can happen in 14 months. It's very hard mentally for me. Generally with teams I have managed we could win, qualify for tournaments and get into contention. It's much more difficult with the Faroes. I have never had such a big a gap as this.''
