Republic of Ireland 1 – 0 Wales
(Stephen Ireland 39)

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Twenty years old Stephen Ireland emerged as hero of the day once again when he claimed an historic first goal for the Republic of Ireland at Croke Park to clinch three very valuable and welcome points in the race for a UEFA 2008 qualifying spot.

Ireland scored his third goal in his fourth international appearance in exhilarating style but, sadly for Ireland, the performance over the 90 minutes failed to match the splendour of young Ireland’s strike.

The goal came after 39 minutes, after a long period of Irish superiority had failed to unsettle a Wales team who were confident, well organised and very secure under sustained pressure.

They were un-hinged, however, when Robbie Keane deflected a long pass out of defence from John O’Shea into the path of the speeding Ireland.

He was cutting in from the right wing in a diagonal run on goal, knocked the ball forward as he surged clear of the defenders and then stretched to nick the ball past the advancing goalkeeper Daniel Coyne.

For a moment it seemed as if he had run out of angle, but he was cool and calculating as he swept the ball into the empty net as his run took him beyond the goal posts and off the field of play.

It was a glorious finish, full of confident control and incisive running and the finishing touch at full speed was sublime.

Ireland was forced to leave the pitch in the 59th minute with a calf strain and afterwards he reflected upon his goal and said: “I’m over the moon at scoring again for Ireland.

“The manager had just made a tactical change, switching me with Damien Duff to the inside.

“The ball broke well for me and I kept my composure to take it on and put it away.

“I seem to have a happy knack of popping up at the right moment in the box to take a scoring chance but this was a different type of goal and I’m just delighted.”

Manager Stephen Staunton suggested immediately after the game that there was a doubt about Ireland’s fitness for Wednesday’s match.

The Irish team struggled in the second half as Wales assumed control of the midfield area and they undoubtedly will consider they were unlucky not to have snatched a draw.

RYAN GIGGS PLEA 

Ryan Giggs made a long impassioned appeal to the referee for a penalty in the dying seconds to no avail and they had a couple of fleeting chances. Shay Given had two worthwhile saves to make in a second half when Ireland faded badly for long periods.

Said Stephen Ireland: “The pitch was not perfect but it was do-able” and of his injury he said: “My groin muscled tightened up on me but it is not too bad. I came off at the right time and I think I’ll be alright for Wednesday.”

The yellow card that team captain Robbie Keane was shown in the 68th minute for a foul on Carl Fletcher was his second of the competition and will keep him out of Wednesdsay’s match against Slovakia.

Said Keane: “I thought it was very harsh … I’m devastated at having to miss Wednesday’s match.

“I spoke to the referee after it and he was apologetic. I just lost my balance and fell on top of the player.”

Of the match he said: “I thought we were very good in the first half but Wales were the better team in the second half.

“But football is all about winning and we’ll take the three points.”

Manager Stephen Staunton went with a couple of surprise selections for Ireland started with Damien Duff alongside Robbie Keane at centre-forward; with John O’Shea and Steve Finnan at right and left-back respectively in positions opposite to those they normally occupy with their clubs.

Ireland played effective and attractive football for the opening 45 minutes and Damien Duff lost one glorious chance of opening the scoring in the 37th minute while Keane twice shot across goal and wide when he was presented with scoring opportunities.

WALES IN CHARGE 

It was Wales’ turn to dictate terms in the second half and they ruled midfield to maintain pressure on the Irish defence.

Fortunately for Ireland, they found it just as difficult to penetrate Ireland’s defence and it was Ireland who came closest to scoring with substitute Kevin Doyle striking a shot against the upright in the 81st minute.

Stephen Hunt was a lively force for Ireland when introduced for Jonathan Douglas in the 80th minute and the impact he made was indicated by the fact that Samuel Ricketts and and Carl Robinson were both shown yellow cards when they fouled the Reading winger in separate incidents.

Overall Ireland will be delighted with their win but it is certain they will need to step up their form again if they are to beat Slovakia in Wednesday’s match at Croke Park.


Teams:

Republic of Ireland: Shay Given (Newcastle United); John O’Shea (Manchester United), Paul McShane (West Brom), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Steve Finnan (Liverpool); Stephen Ireland (Manchester City), Jonathan Douglas (Leeds United), Lee Carsley (Everton), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic), Damien Duff (Newcastle United), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur). Subs; Kevin Doyle (Reading) for Ireland 59; Stephen Hunt (Reading) for Douglas 80; McGeady (Celtic) for Keane 89.

Wales: Daniel Coyle (Burnley); James Collins (West Ham), Steven Evans (Wrexham), Lewis Nyatanga (Barnsley); Samuel Ricketts (Hull City), Joseph Ledley (Cardiff City), Carl Robinson (Toronto), Simon Davies (Fulham), Gareth Bale (Southampton); Craig Bellamy (Liverpool).Ryan Giggs (Manchester United). Subs: Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace) for Ledley 46; Daniel Collins (Sunderland) for Bale 74; Jermaine Easter (Wycombe) for Robinson 90.

Referee: Mr. T. Hauge (Norway).

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