Robbie keen to learn from experience

Ahead of Ireland’s opening Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday afternoon, captain Robbie Keane feels that the team can learn from the experience of the World Cup qualifying campaign and use it to their advantage this time around.

Ireland were of course denied a place in the World Cup in South Africa after losing out to France in a now infamous play-off last November, but aside from that, Ireland delivered some impressive performances, most notably an away draw against the then World Champions Italy in Bari in April of last year.

When asked if he felt that Ireland were better equipped for this campaign, Keane responded: “Yeah, maybe, with the confidence the players have in each other and the new players coming in and adapting to each other.

“With the experience we have now, of course it is only going to make you a better team.

“The more experience you have, the better you are and hopefully the experience we had in the last campaign will stand us in good stead for this one.”

Keane celebrated his 100th cap in the recent friendly with Argentina, and although he was honoured to achieve such a significant milestone, he is glad to have it out of the way so he can concentrate on helping Ireland qualify for the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine two years from now.

“It was great to get the 100th cap, but personally I am delighted that’s gone now, just to get it over with and concentrate on the rest of the games,” he said.

“As captain, of course it would be an honour to lead your team out and we certainly have a good chance.

“We had a great chance in the last campaign – obviously, we just missed out, but hopefully that will make us stronger and more determined now to qualify.”

Although Armenia would be regarded as minnows of European football, they have an impressive home record and Keane warned that Ireland will not be adopting a gung-ho approach in Yerevan on Friday afternoon.

“The most important thing is not to lose,” Keane said.

“It’s the first game and of course, you want to win every game you are involved in, and that will be the case tomorrow.

“We are not going to come here looking to get a draw. We want to win the game. But the most important thing is certainly not to lose the game.”

With temperatures expected to be over 30 degrees Celsius when the teams kick off at 8pm local time (4pm Irish time), Keane also admitted that the stifling heat will be a major factor.

‘I don’t think we Irish people can really get used to this weather,” he said.

“It’s great for holidays, but for playing football, it’s very difficult.”

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