Staunton - one of Ireland's heroes (Allsport).

By Neil Silver, PA Sport, Seoul

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No matter what happens now, the Republic of Ireland will return home as heroes.

Mick McCarthy's side not only progressed through a group which included Germany and Cameroon, they did it without inspirational former captain Roy Keane.

The aim of course was to win all three Group E matches. But, realistically, there can be no complaints with a battling point against Cameroon followed by a dramatic draw against the Germans.

In both games Ireland went a goal behind, and in both games they showed their never-say-die spirit by bouncing back to earn a 1-1 draw. They might well have won them both had Keane been around, but that is something we will never know.

The other group results along the way left McCarthy's men needing a two-goal victory over the weakest link, Saudi Arabia, in their final game and they went one better by winning 3-0 in Yokohama last night.

With Germany also beating Cameroon 2-0 to claim top spot in the group, the Republic's five points were enough to secure the runners-up place and bring them to South Korea to do battle in the last 16.

The achievement of progressing from such a tough group cannot be under-estimated. It was a feat in itself to make it to these finals from a qualifying group which included Portugal and Holland, and it was another heroic adventure which saw Ireland get out of Group E.

To put that into perspective you need only look at the example of world champions France.

The holders were expected to win their group but went home goalless and with just one point, ending up bottom of Group A.

The other joint favourites Argentina are also heading home with their tails between their legs.

Ireland now face Spain, who won Group B, in Suwon on Sunday evening, and who would bet against them in a one-off situation?

Certainly the spirit in the camp is sky-high.

As skipper Steve Staunton stood around Haneda Airport in Tokyo and looked ahead to the next phase, he claimed few teams will relish facing the Irish, a team who fear nobody.

But then this brave party of 22 have come through a lot together in the four-and-a-half weeks they have been away from home - and what a rollercoaster ride it has been.

A trip to the idyllic Western Pacific island of Saipan was meant to help the players acclimatise to the Asian conditions and also serve as a bonding exercise.

Instead, all hell broke loose as Manchester United star Keane was sent home in disgrace after launching a verbal volley at McCarthy during a team meeting.

The younger members of the squad must have wondered what hit them, while Irish fans wondered what effect the loss of such an inspirational leader would have on their campaign.

The pressure on McCarthy from then on was immense. He knew if Ireland lost their opening game against Cameroon there would be loud calls for his head.

But he needn't have worried. Against the Indomitable Lions it was the Irish whose courage came through, and Ipswich skipper Matt Holland's second-half equaliser kept the wolves from McCarthy's door - for the time being at least.

So on to Germany. Rudi Voller's men were flying after hammering eight goals past Saudi Arabia in their opening game, so the pressure was back on.

But after conceding in the first half again, Ireland dominated and thoroughly deserved the equaliser which came two minutes into stoppage time courtesy of Leeds striker Robbie Keane.

With Cameroon winning only 1-0 against the Saudis, Ireland's destiny was in their own hands. They had never scored more than one goal in a World Cup finals tie, but they put that right with second-half goals from Gary Breen and Damien Duff to add to Robbie Keane's seventh-minute opener.

Ireland have every right to go into Sunday's game against Spain feeling confident they can progress to the quarter-finals. But McCarthy needs to get his selection right, which may mean deviating from his usual policy of loyalty to his regulars.

The no-nonsense Yorkshireman insists on pairing Keane and Duff up front, but that leaves the team without a target man, and Blackburn wizard Duff is far more effective occupying his favoured wide berth.

The answer could be to start with Sunderland veteran Niall Quinn, who has influenced both the Germany and Saudi games when coming off the bench. If his back problem prevents him from lasting the full 90 minutes alongside Keane then Crystal Palace youngster Clinton Morrison is a hungry hound awaiting his chance.

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given - voted the best in the Premiership by his fellow professionals last season - is proving he is one of the best in the business.

The back four led by Staunton look steady, although Ian Harte has struggled at times and is under pressure from his Leeds colleague Gary Kelly.

Holland and Kinsella are doing their jobs in the centre of midfield and with Duff on one flank, that leaves four players - Jason McAteer, Kelly, Kevin Kilbane and Stephen Reid - to fight over the one remaining place.

Ireland's players have grown together as this journey has gone on, and they have hurdled each barrier which has been put in their way.

If they can leapfrog Spain they will start believing they can go all the way, but if not they will still return to Dublin on Monday to a heroes' welcome.