Manager Trapattoni does his best to lift Ireland

REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni reminded his players they were a good team before sending them out to beat World Cup finalists Paraguay.

Ireland may have missed out on a trip to South Africa but they proved they could have cut it on the big stage with a 2-1 victory over the South Americans at the RDS.

Trapattoni said: "Before the game, I said to the team, 'Remember we are a good team', I reminded them of how we played against Italy and France and Brazil.

"But that is not enough. We have to continue that way and I am happy because the team listened to me and went on to the pitch with that mentality."

The Republic took the lead within seven minutes of kick-off, thanks in large part to Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz's misfortune inside his own penalty area.

Santa Cruz could only head Damien Duff's cross against his own bar after Paul McShane has failed to make contact with an acrobatic overhead kick, and Kevin Doyle converted the rebound.

Paraguay rallied and dominated possession without ever really threatening to hurt their hosts, and Liam Lawrence punished them further six minutes before the break when he fired home from Doyle's lay-off with the help of a touch off defender Denis Caniza.

Lucas Barrios pulled one back for Paraguay 13 minutes into the second half, but they were unable to restore parity.