 The
Republic of Ireland's World
Cup odyssey continued after
they overcame a spirited Saudi
Arabia to claim a place in the
last 16 with victory in Yokohama.
Robbie Keane fired the Irish
into an early lead, but it was
not until Gary Breen scored
the all-important second goal
in the 61st minute that Mick
McCarthy's men could breathe
easy.
Ireland were not at their fluent
best against the Saudis, understandably
displaying nerves in such a
crucial tie.
They did enough to finish
second in Group E behind Germany
and will now face Spain,
Paraguay or South Africa on
Sunday.
With Ireland knowing that victory
by a two-goal margin would make
sure of their passage to the
last 16, the emphasis was placed
firmly on attack.
Ireland's adventurous approach
soon paid dividends when Keane
fired them into a seventh-minute
lead. A sweeping crossfield pass
by Steve Staunton fell to Gary
Kelly, who quickly dispatched
a left-foot cross. Keane had already started to
shape up for the volley and
he duly applied the finish.
The goal should have proved
the springboard for more of
the same from Ireland, but the
Saudis acquitted themselves
well to thwart any further threat.
Abdulaziz Al-Khathran, Nawaf
Al-Temyat and Al-Hassan Al-Yami
were particularly impressive
for the Saudis. And just before the interval
they fired a timely reminder
to the Irish. Nawaf Al-Temyat's beautifully-weighted
pass found Mohammed Al-Jahani,
who rifled in a low shot which
Shay Given fisted clear.
McCarthy brought on target
man Niall Quinn for the ineffective
Ian Harte at the start of the
second half.
But Ireland's second goal came
from a more unusual source,
as defender Breen ghosted past
two Saudi defenders to slot
home superbly from Staunton's
excellent free-kick. With Irish nerves finally settled,
they went on to dominate the
remainder of the game.
And the highly impressive Duff
was rewarded for his tireless
endeavour, blasting his ball
through the fingers of Saudi
keeper Mohammed Al-Daeyea with
four minutes remaining.
Rep of Ireland
Shay Given,
Steve Finnan, Steve Staunton
(capt), Gary Breen, Ian Harte,
Gary Kelly, Mark Kinsella, Matt
Holland, Kevin Kilbane, Robbie
Keane, Damien Duff.
Goals: Robbie Keane 7, Gary Breen 62, Damien Duff 87.
Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Al-Daeyea
(capt), Mohammed Al-Jahani,
Redha Tokar, Abdullah Suleiman
Al-Zubromawi, Fouzi Al-Shehri,
Ibrahim Al-Shahrani, Hussein
Al-Sulimani, Abdulaziz Al-Khathran,
Khamis Al-Owairan Al Dossari,
Nawaf Al-Temyat, Al-Hassan Al-Yami.
Attendance: 65,320.
Referee: Falla Ndoye (Senegal) |
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