Stephen Hunt has warned the World Cup play-off big guns that Ireland are ready to claim a big scalp.
Giovanni Trapattoni's men may have to do exactly that for the first time since they effectively dumped Holland out of the same competition eight years ago if they are to reach next summer's finals in South Africa.
The unseeded Irish will face either France, Portugal, Russia or Greece in next month's play-offs, and there are differing opinions on just who they would prefer.
But midfielder Hunt said: "We should have beaten Italy on Saturday and we gave away a goal in the last minute, but we might learn from that.
"If we do score with three or four minutes to go, then we will definitely be sharper and more aware of what we have to do to win the game. We are unbeaten and after the last campaign, we would have snatched your hand off for that.
"We are confident. Whoever we get, it's going to be difficult. But hopefully we can come out going to the World Cup. That will be the difference between success and failure."
