Euro 2016: Seamus Coleman urges Republic of Ireland team-mates to stay focused and record first tournament win
Martin O'Neill's men need nothing less than victory against Italy to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND need their first win at a major tournament in 14 years if their Euro hopes are going to stay alive.
Not since they beat Saudi Arabia in their last group game of the 2002 World Cup have they tasted victory at a finals.
They must beat Italy in Lille on Wednesday to move on to four points and stand any chance of progressing to the last 16.
Having defeated Germany in the qualifying stages, the Irish players know they can pull off a huge win. Everton’s Seamus Coleman said: “Of course it’s possible, we’ve had some big results at international level and we want to give ourselves, our fans, staff, the manager, something to play for — and we really want to get out of this group.”
Group winners Italy will rest players, while Ireland know they simply have to play much better than they did in their 3-0 defeat to Belgium.
Having played so well in their opener, a 1-1 draw with Sweden, this performance was a real let- down.
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Coleman said: “They punished us with the quality that they have.”
The Republic have lost just twice in their last seven meetings with the Azzurri, dating back to their historic win at the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
Goalkeeper Darren Randolph said: “We know what we have to do in the last game — we need to win — it’s clear for everybody.
“It’s not the end of the world, we’ve one more game.”
