Harte attacks Figo 'diving' tactics
Republic of Ireland defender Ian Harte has stoked up feelings ahead of his country's World Cup clash against Portugal by branding superstar Luis Figo 'a diver'. "Why does he feel the need to dive?" the Leeds defender asked.
Republic of Ireland defender Ian Harte has stoked up feelings ahead of his country's World Cup clash against Portugal by branding superstar Luis Figo 'a diver'. "Why does he feel the need to dive?" the Leeds defender asked.
Harte and Figo will clash in Saturday's group two match in Dublin on Saturday - the fourth time the pair will have played on opposing sides: twice in the Champions League and another time when Portugal drew 2-2 with the Republic in Lisbon.
And on Thursday Harte risked enraging the Portugal team by branding their superstar a cheat.
He said: "Portugal are an excellent side and Figo is one of the most exciting players in the world. The guy oozes class, so why does he feel the need to dive?"
"It is the one aspect of his play which I dislike so much, it's so annoying to see players diving about the place. And he doesn't need to resort to tactics like that because his football speaks for itself."
"Figo played on Gary Kelly's side at Elland Road, but he was on my side in Madrid. He likes a bit of a dive, but give him time or space and he will destroy you."
"As a defender you have to get close to him, he can go inside or outside, play on the right or the left. The balls he delivers into the box for the strikers are amazing.
"But I don't think he likes the physical stuff. Hopefully I can get an early tackle in and let him know about it. I have to be on top of him or I am not going to enjoy my afternoon. I will have to be careful because he doesn't need any encouragement to fall over.
"If I get a tackle in early, hopefully it will quieten him down for the afternoon."
Harte watched the Irish sides compete in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup finals as a schoolboy back home in Drogheda, and the Leeds man has challenged his team-mates to allow Irish fans relive those days.
The Leeds defender added: "The next two games against Portugal and Estonia are probably two of the biggest matches of our international careers.
"We need to get to the World Cup finals because it has been such a long time since an Irish team played in the finals of a major tournament. Too long, in fact. But there will be a full house at Lansdowne Road and that will be a big help."