Harte - not one to practice free-kicks.

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport

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For a player renowned as a dead-ball specialist, Ian Harte has chosen not to adopt the David Beckham approach of practice makes perfect.

Arguably, Beckham and Harte are the two greatest exponents of the free-kick art in the Premier League today, although how they apply themselves to such a feat could not be more different.

England captain Beckham, whose sensational last-gasp strike in the final qualifying tie against Greece guaranteed a place in this summer's World Cup finals, has revealed how he practises free-kicks long after training sessions have finished.

Harte, in total contrast, does not bother and cannot see the point, and it does not appear to have done the Republic of Ireland international left-back any harm for there have been many times when he has delivered a telling blow from outside the box.

Both players will be able to parade their talents for their respective countries in Japan and South Korea throughout the finals, with Harte hoping there will come a time when he gets one of those 'gut feeling' moments which tells him he will score.

"I am not someone who really practises free-kicks," the Leeds star said. "I figure that you can practise until you are blue in the face on the training ground, but it won't necessarily help you in a match.

"You could take 10 free-kicks in training and put them all wide, but it would have no bearing whatsoever on taking one in a match.

"Having 40,000 people watching you makes a huge difference, as does a defensive wall being lined up because you have to get the ball up and over. In a match situation I just compose myself and give it my best shot.

"Funnily enough, I didn't take free-kicks at school either, so it is not something I have always done. I honestly couldn't tell you when all that changed. It just seemed to happen over time.

"I think I started whipping a few free-kicks in the box and then as time went on I started taking them from shooting positions. A couple went in and it has gone from there.

"I am always confident when I step forward, but there have been times when I have felt, 'This is definitely going in'.

"Somehow, I have just known a goal is coming. It is a gut feeling and I just wish I had that feeling every time!"

This will be Harte's first World Cup, and with boss Mick McCarthy's Republic drawn against Germany, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia, the 'green and white army' should progress beyond the group stage into the knockout phase.

Prior to qualifying, few people outside of Ireland gave them any hope of reaching the finals due to the presence of Portugal and Holland in their group.

Against the odds, the Republic secured second place behind the Portuguese and ahead of the Dutch. Then came a play-off against Iran, with the first leg in Dublin proving a test of Harte's nerve and resolve.

The 24-year-old, born in Drogheda and now with more than 30 caps to his name, was given the responsibility of setting the Republic on their way from the penalty spot in front of a full house at Lansdowne Road and with the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders.

"I felt nervous when the penalty was given because there was so much riding on the outcome," reflected Harte, who has a tremendous goalscoring record for a full-back of more than 30 in just over 200 appearances for Leeds.

"There were 35,000 Irish fans packed into Lansdowne Road, all willing the ball into the net, while I also knew the whole country had set their hearts on getting to the World Cup finals.

"I was just delighted to see the ball go in. Robbie (Keane) then went on to score just after half-time to give us what turned out to be a vital two-goal cushion as we lost the return in Iran 1-0, albeit with a very late goal.

"But it is great to know we are in the finals. Not many people gave us a chance when we were drawn with Portugal and Holland in the qualifying group, but we went through all 10 games undefeated.

"It would have been very unfair if we had not gone through after all that hard work."