FAI state Ireland will be seeded

The FAI have stated Ireland will be seeded in the draw for the Euro 2012 play-offs after Giovanni Trapattoni’s men finished second in their group in qualifying.

Watch the draw for the Euro 2012 play-offs on Thursday at 12pm on RTÉ.ie

Tuesday night’s win over Armenia, coupled with results around Europe, means Ireland can be drawn with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Turkey and Estonia.

Ireland will be seeded with Portugal, Czech Republic and Croatia.

However, Trapattoni is happy to accept whatever fate sends their way.

He said: “All the second-placed teams are very important. We must accept whichever team.

“The first and second teams in the table are always great teams. But I think it would be better to play the first game away and the second at home.

“We have only done 50% of the job because there is now the play-off.”

Trapattoni admitted his side had been second-best before the break, but was delighted with the character they showed to pull through.

He said: “Armenia in the first half played very, very, very well and it was very difficult to control the game.

“They had more possession, yes, they played better than us, yes, in the first half, but I don’t remember any particularly difficult situations for us.”

Asked if Ireland would have to play better against whichever side they draw in the play-offs, Trapattoni said: “All opponents are not the same.

“Maybe the next won’t be as good as Armenia.”

Trapattoni’s only disappointment on the night was the red card which will prevent Doyle from playing in the first leg of next month’s play-off, although he would have missed the game anyway as a result of his first booking.

The Italian said: “I want to see it again. I immediately asked the linesman and he said he had used his elbow.

“But that’s not Kevin Doyle.”

Opposite number Vardan Minasyan’s post-match press conference was brief and to the point.

He said: “Congratulations to the Irish team, I wish you luck in the play-off.

“You are a very good team, but I am very proud of my team. We have done a very good job and we can be proud.”