Robbie Keane between the posts in training (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Saitama

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Mick McCarthy put the Germans in their place for the second time in three days on Friday.

After the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Rudi Voeller's men on Wednesday night to give themselves a great chance of progressing to the knockout stages of these World Cup finals, a German television reporter came along to quiz McCarthy at his daily conference.

When the journalist told him: "In the German camp the story of Mick McCarthy is a fairy tale," the Ireland boss gave him short shrift.

"I am not so sure about the fairy bit," said McCarthy. "Did you ever see me play?"

Then McCarthy got serious by suggesting Ireland were in this position on merit. He added: "Why should it be a fairytale," he added.

"We came here expecting to do well and believing we could. "None of us were scared of playing Germany and despite them having the better of the first 15 minutes or so, we were the better side. Statistics from the game will back that up.

"I also felt we were the better side against Cameroon so perhaps it is not a fairytale, maybe it is good players, good coaching, good management, good staff, good preparation - maybe we are not a bad outfit after all.

"That might be the reality of it. But it was nice to get that goal against Germany when we did get it anyway."

The hero on Wednesday was Leeds striker Robbie Keane, who swapped his shooting boots in training on Friday for goalkeeping gloves as he horsed around for the fans.

McCarthy reckons Keane's dramatic injury time leveller will go down in Irish folklore.

He said: "Goalscorers are judged on scoring goals and Robbie tried manfully during the game.

"The German back three and goalkeeper were excellent, they were very good and he'd had a tough time of it.

"So for him to do that, it's one of those goals whereby you go down in folklore when you score goals like that.

"I am sure Robbie will with his performance over his career, but that is one he will always remember."

McCarthy gave a strong hint that he will not make drastic changes to his team for Tuesday's final Group E clash against Saudi Arabia.

Ireland need to win by two clear goals to progress to the knockout stage of the World Cup finals, but the manager is likely to keep faith with his regular 4-4-2 line-up of players rather than load the team with extra attacking options.

"We have played well and created a lot of chances in this tournament so far," said McCarthy.

"I know we have scored only one goal in each game, but we have created a lot of chances.

"You could change it from the start and completely confuse the issue and muddy the water by doing something different, when we have played ever so well and created chances.

"We'll just be looking to take one or two more of those chances which come along.

"I shall wait and see how everybody is but I think we have played well and I don't know about making changes from the start for the sake of it."

McCarthy's comments suggest he is unlikely to start with Niall Quinn from the start, after the big striker made the difference when he came on against Germany.

"He does give us an option but if we start out that way and it doesn't work then where do we go to try something else?" said McCarthy.

"We can't replace him with another of his ilk if anything happens, so he is something to change the game with."

McCarthy believes the Saudis will be playing for pride in their final game and therefore cannot be underestimated.

He said: "I know if it was us in that position and we'd got one game to play, had no points, had got a tonking in the first game, I'd be saying: 'I don't want to go home from this World Cup getting beaten in three games, let's stop somebody'.

"I'd want to turn it around and I have no doubt their coach and players will be feeling the same way.

"It will be a tough game for us and will require a lot of concentration because of the way they play. They will sit back in numbers and defend and leave one up and one just dropping off.

"They will try and catch us on the break and any crosses and corners that are caught, the goalkeeper will get rid of it quickly to the one up front or the one short."

After a day off on Thursday the Irish players eased their way back into training on Friday with a light session, although seven players sat out the main work.

Shay Given (hip), Steve Finnan (hamstring), Gary Breen (calf), Steve Staunton (hamstring), Matt Holland (rib), Mark Kinsella (knee), and Jason McAteer (knee) all protected their injuries, and McCarthy is confident they will be OK for the Saudi match.

Meanwhile, the FAI have announced that an independent review of their involvement in this World Cup will be undertaken once they return home, following the handling of the Roy Keane affair.

An FAI statement read: "Irrespective of the outcome of the team's remaining participation in World Cup 2002, the officers and general secretary of the FAI are recommending to their board of management that an independent external review of the Association's organisation and involvement in World Cup 2002 be undertaken upon our return to Ireland. The report will be made public when completed."