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Cox wants Ireland to play with pride despite early exit
Posted Friday, June 15, 2012 by Goal.com

The striker hopes for a good finish to the tournament and would like to see his side pick themselves up and go out on a high in their final group game against Italy

Cox wants Ireland to play with pride despite early exit

Simon Cox was disappointed not to get anything from their game against Spain and wants to play with pride in their last match despite already exiting the tournament.

The Irish huffed and puffed throughout the game but could not get anywhere near a Spanish midfield that consisted of Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

They had their chances, with Cox himself forcing a fine save from Iker Casillas, but were outpassed and outthought in a match against the current European Championships and World Cup winners.

Ireland still hold the key to Group C as a win or a draw for Giovanni Trapattoni's men would see them knock the Italy out of tournament, sending Vicente Del Bosque and Slaven Bilic's men through in the process.

The win would also guarantee third spot in a tough group and that's what the West Brom striker is aiming for.

He told press after the match: "It was difficult. They have the likes of Alonso and Xavi and Iniesta. I was a little surprised that [Kevin] Doyle came out.

"We have to try to pick ourselves up and establish a bit of pride even though we're on our way home."

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia