McCarthy - Cameroon game was crucial (Allsport)

By Neil Silver, PA Sport, Chiba

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Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy looked back and rated the opening Group E clash with Cameroon as the biggest game of his career.

McCarthy declined to spell out the exact reasons why but, as he rightly said himself, we all knew the answer.

For, had Ireland lost that match, there would have been loud calls for McCarthy's head following his decision to send home former skipper Roy Keane in disgrace.

When asked if tomorrow's final group game against Saudi Arabia - in which Ireland must win by two goals to progress to the last 16 - was the biggest game of his career, McCarthy said: "No, I think you can say arguably the biggest game of my career was Cameroon.

"Not arguably, the biggest game absolutely. Of all the others, that was the biggest one."

When pushed as to why, he added: "You know full reason why, you all know why, you just want me to say and I'm not going to do. You all know why."

McCarthy of course meant that his team had to get a result against Cameroon without Keane, and they did so by coming from behind to draw 1-1.

The same scoreline against Germany means their fate is now in their own hands.

In that respect, the Saudi game now becomes the biggest of McCarthy's career, and he said: "I've said before that the next one is always the biggest game, and I think to progress out of this group would be a terrific achievement so, in that sense, it is the biggest game.

"I've faith in the 22 players who are here. They've been superb. I think that they've all grown throughout the qualifying competition and it's not about proving what we can do without somebody else, I don't think that's the issue.

"It's about proving to themselves that they can play at this level individually and collectively and people who aren't here they can't do anything about it - Stephen Carr, Mark Kennedy, Colin Healy, Gary Doherty, Roy Keane - none of them are here for different reasons but it's not an issue about them, it's an issue about the 22 who are here, the players who are playing and I think that they've been fabulous on and off the field, they've been terrific."

Although the Republic need a win by two goals to guarantee progression, they will also finish runners-up in the group if they win by one goal and there is a winner between Germany and Cameroon.

McCarthy fancies Germany to win that one and top the group, although he insisted he would not be keeping tabs on their game, which kicks off at the same time as Ireland's.

"I won't be listening out for the other game at all," he said.

"We need to win our game by the sufficient amount of goals, that's all we can do, we can't affect that game.

"There's nothing I can do about it, I've got enough to worry about without worrying about Germany and Cameroon as well.

"I fancy Germany. I think they're a better side, having played against them both.

"I don't think Cameroon played particularly well in their last game against Saudi Arabia, mind you I thought Saudi were excellent and played far better, but I think of the two of them Germany are the better side."

If Ireland get the right result, they fly on to Korea on Wednesday for the next phase, where they will most probably face Spain, and McCarthy sent an invitation to all those fans thinking of taking a loan and joining the team later this week.

"I'd say if the fans want to come out they'd have a great time if we get through but you'd better wait until we get through," he said.

"Maybe make sure the loan is there if they need to come, if they want to come out and enjoy it, it's been fantastic the competition, people who are here have enjoyed it, people around the hotel, everybody who has watched us they've had a ball, I think it's been a terrific competition for us.

"The Saudis are not going to lay down and let us win the game and really I'd prefer that. I'd sooner have a competitive game, I'd sooner have them going full tilt at it and if we win it then we've won it on merit, not by anybody else giving up the ghost.

"We want to win it on merit and we're in this position on merit, the players deserve to be here and if we get through it would be a good achievement."

McCarthy has no injury worries ahead of the game, and looks set to start with the same team who began against Germany.