Football / World Cup USA '94: Charlton prepares to reel in the big fish: Second Round: Netherlands are next quarry as jubilant Irish return to heat of Orlando. Trevor Haylett reports

BIG JACK bore an expansive smile and a reminder that while, here and now, the good times were great, more pleasurable activities can be found elsewhere. Early evening in the team hotel, three hours after the Republic of Ireland had dodged the bullet in the 'Group of Death', the manager wore a T- shirt with the message: 'My rod and my reel, they comfort me: Peter, 12lb.'

The salmon in Charlton's favourite stretch of water can rest easy for a little longer. The Englishman who has become the personality of this World Cup has other fish to fry under the boiling sun. Phase two of Ireland's quest for the biggest catch of all begins back in Florida against the Netherlands on Monday, even though Charlton had said before the decisive game with Norway that, with respect to the Orlando organisers, they did not really want to return there. A case of 'been there, done it' and too hot at that.

Just how perilious a finish it became on 'Tense Tuesday' was clear late on when a goal for Norway would have taken them to first place and sent Ireland homewards as the worst of four even sides. A goal for Ireland would have brought the top spot and a continued stay in New Jersey.

After the 0-0 draw Charlton was asked how he was enjoying this World Cup compared with Italia '90. 'That was my first time as a manager and it was new and very nice and I enjoyed it.' he said. 'Once you have experienced that then the next time is hard work. The other morning I was woken at 5.30am by a reporter in India asking for an interview. The telephone in my room never stops night or day, but we are through and we are delighted for the people in Ireland and for all the fans here. The support inside the stadium was unbelievable and long may it continue.'

Charlton could not immediately share in the celebrations because Fifa had banned him from the touchline for comments made to an official. He was forced to wave from his private box high up in the stand. It was like fishing by remote control but, typically, the hard work had been done to ensure the team were fully prepared. So comfortable were the green and whites at half-time that he admitted he had nothing to say other than to keep it the way it was.

One of the manager's main concerns beforehand was Paul McGrath, the defender who mocks the barriers of age and infirmity to remain in the category of 'he is fit so he must play'. Yet to omit him was a possibility after McGrath's performance against Mexico.

'Paul was a worry for me right up until I named the team,' Charlton said. 'On the morning I asked him what he was like. He said 'I'm all right gaffer, I'm OK'. I said 'do you want to play' and he said 'yes, I'll get through it fine.'

'Sometimes you have to use a bit of psychology with Paul, put him under a little pressure. Andy Townsend was saying that Ron Atkinson does the same thing at Aston Villa. Paul will do nothing all week and Ron won't tell him he's playing until the last moment and that guarantees he will be flying again on the pitch.'

Charlton has another four days to consider his team for the next match. Denis Irwin and Terry Phelan are available again after suspension, but Gary Kelly and Jason McAteer fitted in so well that the experienced Manchester duo might have to extend their membership of The Muppets - the self-styled name of those who are important members of the squad but who are not part of the elite 11.

John Aldridge has already thrown away his membership card. Arriving here as the third choice behind Tommy Coyne and Tony Cascarino to perform the isolated striker's foraging role, it was his header against Mexico that is the reason Ireland stay on.

'I thought at the time it was no more than a consolation,' the Tranmere player said. 'Now I would have to say it is the most important goal of my career. The important thing was to get through and now we've got our sights set on going all the way to the final. We have the players and the manager to do it, but my fear is that the heat might just do us. Our game is not suited to these conditions.'

NORWAY (4-5-1): Thorstvedt (Tottenham); Halle (Oldham), Johnsen (Chelsea), Bratseth (Werder Bremen), Bjornebye (Rosenborg Trondheim); Flo (Sheffield United), Rekdal (Lierse), Mykland (Start), Berg (Blackburn), Leonhardsen (Rosenborg Trondheim); Sorloth (Bursaspor). Substitutes: Jakobsen (Young Boys Berne) for Halle, 34; Bohinen (Nottingham Forest) for Leonhardsen, 68.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (4-5-1): Bonner (Celtic); G Kelly (Leeds), Babb (Coventry), McGrath, Staunton (both Aston Villa); McAteer (Bolton), Keane (Manchester United), Sheridan (Sheffield Wednesday), Townsend, Houghton (both Aston Villa); Aldridge (Tranmere). Substitutes: Kelly (Wolverhampton) for Aldridge, 65; Whelan (Liverpool) for Townsend, 75.

Referee: J Torres Cadena (Colombia).