Bad turbulence in mid-air brought the Republic of Ireland party back down to earth on Wednesday.
A white-knuckle ride for the nervous fliers ended with everyone landing safely in Korea to prepare for Sunday's second phase game in Suwon.
Mick McCarthy and his men departed from Tokyo in buoyant mood, fresh from
their 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia which stamped their ticket to the last 16.
Midfielder Jason McAteer was upbeat fter getting back into the
action as a second half substitute against the Saudis.
Now he has the opportunity to win his 50th cap for the Republic in Sunday's
And the Sunderland man will have extra cause for celebration if the Irish
can make it to the quarter-finals, as he celebrates his 31st birthday two
"It would be brilliant to celebrate my birthday out here, I would be really
up for that," said McAteer who missed the German game as he had not fully
recovered from a knee injury.
"I was pleased to get on against Saudi Arabia and test the knee. "It is fine and, as the saying goes, I am available for selection."