Mick McCarthy thanked his team and their support for their efforts as the Republic of Ireland beat the USA national side 2-1 on Wednesday evening but he said his mind is far from made up when it comes to the final 23-man squad.
Ireland kept hold of a good record with the victory. The side has lost just once in 20 matches under McCarthy. He praised the team and fans who turned out to see the game take place on a pitch that showed the signs of 24 hours of almost constant rain.
McCarthy said: "I think we gave the hardy souls that came here something worth watching - and the players should be congratulated for the way we performed.
"We gave them a good game considering the conditions. Anything could have happened in those conditions but we won and that's the main thing.
"They got an equaliser from a corner - and it shouldn't have been a corner.
"Things like that annoy me. We've not defended corners and free-kicks well - but we've won."
The Republic of Ireland boss was pleased to see the return of Gary Doherty, who has recovered from a broken leg and now has a hope of making McCarthy's 23-man squad for Japan and Korea.
He said: "Tottenham were glad for him to come and I'm delighted to have him. After breaking his leg he must have thought his season was finished - but to come back and score the winner is great for him."
The Republic of Ireland boss said he was delighted to see Robbie Keane rediscover his form after an indifferent season.
"That was a terrific performance from Robbie," said McCarthy.
"He has been getting better and better and back to his best in term of his movement and fitness. He is now working the whole back four and in the channels.
"We have relied heavily on him and it is nice for him that he is coming to the peak of his form when we are off to the World Cup.
"If he is physically and mentally right he will show what a good player he is, on the biggest of stages." McCarthy insisted, however, that he had still come no closer to naming his squad.
"I don't know my 23 now. If I had everyone fit I'd have known it months ago but we've had five or six injuries which have made it different.
"Colin Healy stamped his authority on the game and Rory Delap did OK as well. We can cope if we have one or two injuries."
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