Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni was happy with his defence but called for a more cutting edge up front following their goalless draw with Croatia.

The Italian expressed mixed feelings about the team's showing in the post-match press conference after neither side managed to find the net at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and

"When the players are incisive we can make a difference. In qualifying we have to do this," he said.

"I am happy for [the clean sheet]. Before the game, when we prepare, I repeat the same lesson because when I was first here, two or three little situations were changing our results.

"The team has improved very much in these situations."

The Republic share top spot with Slovakia and Russia, who both have 13 points, and face both in early September.