Ireland gaffer Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni has welcomed Ireland's World Cup draw which begns in September 2012 with an away game against Kazakhstan.

“This is a good fixture schedule for our team with a good balance to the matches,” Trapattoni said.

“We finish the campaign at home and start with a single away match against Kazakhstan which was important given the long distances involved.

I am also happy with the balance obtained in the double headers and the timing of what we would expect to be some of the key matches in the group.
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World Cup 2014 Qualifying – Group C

* 7 September 2012: Kazakhstan v Republic of Ireland
* 12 October 2012: Republic of Ireland v Germany
* 16 October 2012: Faroe Islands v Republic of Ireland
* 22 March 2013: Sweden v Republic of Ireland
* 26 March 2013: Republic of Ireland v Austria
* 7 June 2013: Republic of Ireland v Faroe Islands
* 6 September 2013: Republic of Ireland v Sweden
* 10 September 2013: Austria v Republic of Ireland
* 11 October 2013: Germany v Republic of Ireland
* 15 October 2013: Republic of Ireland v Kazakhstan