Regrets for ones that got away

Players' reaction: No matter how much you've experienced playing top level football around the world and back again you can always learn something more. Like playing against Brazil.

So while drawing with the World champions might go down as a positive result it still had its share of lessons, and the Irish players seemed glad of them. For Matt Holland, originally doubtful but clearly needing little persuasion to start, one of the regrets of the night was not taking the chances that fell Ireland's way. All footballers dream about playing against Brazil, but only the chosen few dream about scoring against Brazil.

"Well, we defended well," he admitted, "in good numbers and with a good shape. But the big lesson is - if you do create one or two chances against the top sides then you just have to put them away.

"But I can tell you they are a top class side. They have fantastic ability, and keep the ball so well. So you have to be a very strong team to hold out against them and I think we were that today."

The sell-out crowd and sense of occasion added to what was clearly one of Holland's more memorable games: "Well, it's always good to pitch yourself against the very best in the world. And I thought we put up a good account of ourselves out there. We worked hard at it, closing down as much as we could, and at times we kept the ball pretty well. So overall I felt it was a pleasing performance."

But then he comes back to those lost opportunities - from both sides. "In front of a crowd like that, and against the best team in the world, you do expect goals. So it was funny in a way that it ended nil-nil. I certainly expected goals. But we did have a couple of chances that we might have done better with.

"Still I really I enjoyed it. But I don't think you could pick out anyone who had a bad game. To get a draw against Brazil, I think everyone had to be close to their best and I think that was the case out there. Of course the World Cup qualifiers are still a long way away and there's still a lot of work to be done before then. And a lot more players will need games. But certainly holding the World champions to a draw on the night is a good result."

Another player with experience beyond his years is John O'Shea, and he spoke about the occasion like it was going to stick in the head for a while. And, most importantly, in the short term. "Well, I felt we needed something of a morale boost before the World Cup qualifiers start," he said, "and we certainly got that out there.

"We knew they would come at us with a free-flowing attack, and that they would eventually create chances. But we had our chances too, including myself, so I think we should have scored a goal somewhere along the line too. But then nil-nil against Brazil has to go down as a good result."

The lack of goals, however, was something O'Shea also regretted: "It was a great occasion, and the fans really got behind us. I mean there were so many top players out there. Kleberson was flying up one minute and Cafu the next, but we were aware that they were going to be a threat from all areas.

"Once we settled down though I think we showed we could play a little too. We didn't just lump the ball forward. We played a fair bit through midfield. And everyone worked tirelessly, and the two lads up front nearly got their rewards."

It was one of the better defensive displays from Ireland in a while, and that brought out a smile in O'Shea: "We knew we were going to have to work hard at it, not just the back four, but midfield as well. And I think we got what we deserved."

There were lessons too, he admitted: "Well, with an attacking force like that you do have to back off sometimes. But you have to be that bit braver as well. We have a few more tests like this coming up, and Brian Kerr has chosen these games well, and I think they will pay off."