|
|
GERMANY 1 : 1 REPUBLIC
OF IRELAND
Efficient
Germany held their single goal lead for over 70 minutes against a spirited
Irish team, but a spectacular second-half injury-time Robbie Keane goal
evened the match and kept Irish hopes of advancing from Group E alive.
Miroslav Klose’s fourth tally of the tournament had given the Germans
the lead in Ibaraki, Japan.
Klose and his strike-partner Carsten Jancker caused problems for the Irish
defence all night, while going the other way, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane
battled bravely looking for the equalizer. Sharing a point each, Germany
still leads the group with four ahead of their match with Cameroon, while
the Irish have two from two draws heading into their game with Saudi Arabia.
It was clear
early on that Germany would have a much tougher task than their opener
when Ireland’s Damien Duff intercepted a pass, beat one defender
and headed for goal. The play did not result in a shot on goal, but it
did make a statement that the Germans shouldn’t expect eight goals
and a clean sheet on this night.
Germany forward
Carsten Jancker provided the first dangerous opportunity on either goal
when his six-metre header from Torsten Frings was saved by Ireland goalkeeper
Shay Given (9’).
Miroslav
Klose, coming off a hat-trick performance in the first match, added his
fourth goal of the finals 10 minutes later. Michael Ballack crossed in
from the left side and Klose met the ball with his head, knocking it past
Given. All four of his goals in the tournament have been headers (1:0,
19’).
Matt Holland,
Ireland’s hero from their first match, thought he had an equalizer,
but his shot, almost an instant-replay from the draw with Cameroon, skipped
just wide of the post this time (25’).
As the half
wore on, Ireland were able to work the ball into the corner on a few occasions,
but German keeper Oliver Kahn used his immense frame and quick reactions
to snuff out any crossing passes.
Late in the
half, Given made a great kick save on Dietmar Hamann, but left a big rebound.
And although he stopped the point-blank chance from Jancker, the German
forward was ruled offside (40’).
After the
interval, Ireland played very patient in the attack, not producing their
first chance until 10 minutes into the second half. Duff latched onto
a headed pass from Kevin Kilbane 10 metres out and only a reflex save
by Kahn kept Germany in the lead (56’).
While at
ease searching for an equalizer, Ireland nearly found themselves down
by a pair when Jancker broke into the area alone. Given charged out to
cut down the angle and forced Jancker’s chip shot perilously bouncing
past the post (68’).
With the
clock becoming a factor, Ireland were presented with a golden opportunity
on a 19-metre free kick, but Robbie Keane’s shot didn’t make
it on goal (77’).
Still looking
for an insurance tally, Frings broke free into the penalty area on the
right side, then chipped in for Klose at the back post. Klose’s attempt
for a fifth goal from his head sailed over the bar (79’).
Germany would
have to call on Kahn again before the end. A through pass played near
the top of the area brought Keane and Kahn in a footrace from opposite
directions. Keane won the race, but could only get his toe on the ball
and Kahn was able to make the key save (84’).
That stop
looked like it would be enough to secure Germany’s second clean sheet
in as many games, but late in stoppage time Ireland finally equalized.
Keane ran onto substitute Niall Quinn’s pass and, from close range,
powered a shot by Kahn (1:1, 92’+).
|
|
