Robbie Keane has all but apologized for Ireland’s performance in Kazakhstan and vowed to put it right against Germany in Dublin.
Ireland scored twice in the final minute to snatch a 2-1 win from the jaws of defeat in Astana on Friday night.
The Republic were losing to the team ranked 142nd in the world when Keane scored an 89th minute equaliser from the penalty spot.
Substitute Kevin Doyle then grabbed a winner to break Kazakhstan’s hearts and spare Ireland’s blushes.
Group favourites Germany will provide the next competitive opposition when they travel to Dublin in October.
As the Irish team flew to London for Tuesday night’s friendly against Oman, Keane admitted an improvement will be needed.
The LA Galaxy striker said: “We’re always confident of winning against anyone at home, regardless of who they are.
“Germany are the favourites and are probably a better team than we are but if we give it everything we can get the win.
“It will be a completely different game. Germany will want to come out and try to win the game whereas Kazakhstan sat back and defended as one.
“We will be at home in front of our fans as well so it will be a good opportunity for us.”
Keane was quick to admit that Ireland’s performance in Kazakhstan was poor but he took solace from the result.
The Irish captain added: “It wasn’t a good performance but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. We have three points on the board.
“We had the same situation last time around when we played Armenia during Euro 2012 qualification.
“We won the game and people said it wasn’t a good performance. It wasn’t, and I think it’s going to be the same for us with what happened in Kazakhstan.
“Kazakhstan is going to be a tough place for teams to come - to play in those conditions on that Astroturf pitch after such a big flight and time difference, I’m sure teams will find it hard here.”
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