"It was just what we wanted, it's perfect," was how Belgian manager Georges Leekens reacted to the news that his team had drawn the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs for the World Cup finals. "To get the away match first is even better. It could have been much, much worse," he said.

"Most of the players wanted Hungary, but I wanted Ireland. Wales was a good lesson for us. Ireland play in a very British way. They are stronger than Wales, but don't have an individual player like Ryan Giggs.

"Their danger man is Tony Cascarino, all the play goes through him. But if we force Ireland to play technically, I think we can get around that problem."

Belgium's assistant manager, Eddie Snelders was similarly enthusiastic. "If we could not draw Hungary, then we're happy to be playing Ireland," he said. "The Irish play a British type of game and we have shown in the past that we are capable of dealing with it."

One of the team's key players, Lorenzo Staelens, said that the only Ireland player he was aware of was Roy Keane. But as it transpired he didn't know Keane was injured and would not be available for the pay-offs.

"That must improve our chances," he said, "for Keane is a very good player for Manchester United. But I would still prefer to have drawn Hungary. They are a good technical team. Ireland play more directly and that does not suit us."