Matt Holland and Ireland come up against Germany today (KO 12.30pm BST) with Holland believing that his side can win, and that little notice should be taken of the Germans' 8-0 win against Saudi Arabia. Manager Mick McCarthy says that the Germans will "get their back-sides kicked" if they fail to take his side seriously.

Town skipper Holland, Ireland's goalscoring hero from the Cameroon game, says his side can win. He told his site (www.matthollandweb.com): "Of course we have to respect the Germans, they are technically adept, industrious and possessed with a big tournament mentality, but I hope so are we.

"I think very little can be taken from their drubbing of a very poor Saudi Arabian side. Yes, eight goals is a lot, and they still need scoring, but there was little tackling or competition from crosses which made the whole game look like a casual training session. It is vital that we harass and 'snap at their heels'."

Mick McCarthy feels that on occasion his side isn't taken as seriously as it ought to be: "At times we've turned up and people look at us and think: 'We're only playing Ireland, not a big nation, they have not got a great history in world football.' Then they get their back-sides kicked for taking us lightly.

"It's happened on a number of occasions, although I don't suspect that the German team will take us lightly.

"I always believe it is our performance that counts, how we play."

Holland says his goal against Cameroon was a dream come true and will hope to repeat the feat against Germany: "When I saw the ball coming to me I instinctively knew it was a wonderful shooting opportunity.

"As soon as I struck it I knew it had a chance and the feeling that went through my body when I saw it go in was unbelievable.

"Everything stopped for a split second and then I just lost it and sprinted off screaming. The whole crowd in front of me rose as one and it looked like a wall of green."

McCarthy says he has a full sqaud to pick from, although Gary Breen looked to have a hamstring problem yesterday.

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