Ireland take on the Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifying this weekend, and they may feel the need to channel one of the national side's most memorable performances of the 21st century. After just one win from four games, Stephen Kenny's side find their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Their most recent fixture, away to France, ended in a 2-0 defeat with Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram on target.
The Netherlands are tough opponents, but that was also the case during their last competitive meeting, a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup. On that occasion, it was the Boys in Green who came out on top - thanks in no small part to the performance of captain Roy Keane, but joy would turn to pain just months later for the Man Utd man.
The qualifying draw was a tough one for both teams. Portugal were also in their group - the Portugal of Rui Costa and Figo, and only one automatic qualifying place was at stake. Whoever finished second would earn themselves a two-legged play-off for a spot at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but the team in third would play no part whatsoever.
Ireland travelled to Amsterdam in their first fixture, throwing away a 2-0 lead to only draw with the Oranje. It looked like it could end up costing Mick McCarthy's men, but an unbeaten run meant their fate remained in their hands for the return fixture at Lansdowne Road in September 2001. Looking back at the starting line-ups from that game, there was a clear favourite. This wasn't a weak Ireland vintage, not by any stretch, but the Dutch had made the World Cup semi-finals four years prior and had many of the same players.
Thanks in no small part to Keane, McCarthy's side went in level at the break. However, they had to dig even deeper after going a man down. When Gary Kelly was sent off just before the hour mark, Ireland needed everyone to pull their weight. That they were able to owes a lot to the skipper, who led by example. It was a real rearguard action, with a point still potentially enough, but the 10 men stunned their opponents by going in front through Jason McAteer with just over 20 minutes remaining. Keane rallied his side and helped them hold firm, setting up an eventual play-off with Iran.
The problems started when Ireland arrived in Saipan, which was to be their base ahead of games against Germany, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia. McCarthy had insisted on strict media rules for his team, but Keane's decision to speak to the Irish Times certainly went against that. Keane criticised the training facilities, saying: 'It's different if we came here to a top training facility. The hotel is fine, but we've come here to work. You wonder why players get injured? Well, playing on a surface like that. I can't imagine any other country, countries in the world who are far worse off than us, playing on something like that. I don't think it's too much to ask, just for a pitch that's even watered. It's so dangerous. It's rock hard.'
