ireland u-23's 0 - 0 Iraq u-23's |
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Paul McGrath Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Location: Romania Status: Offline Points: 17177 |
Topic: ireland u-23's 0 - 0 Iraq u-23's Posted: 19 May 2008 at 12:27pm |
bad result as nigeria were held 1-1 so should have got to final as group winners!
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3187 Intercontinental Cup Group A Republic of Ireland 0-0 Iraq Don Givens’ Republic of Ireland team dominated today’s Under-23 Intercontinental Cup tournament Group A game against Iraq in Malaysia but couldn’t put the ball away. The result means that Iraq will have to defeat tournament favourites Nigeria by a two-goal margin in Wednesday’s final match to deny Ireland a place in the semi-final. Nigeria and Malaysia played out a 1-1 draw in the other match contested in the pool today. Ireland and Malaysia have concluded their group campaign with four
points apiece but Ireland’s superior goal difference gives them the
advantage over the hosts. The Irish had won one and lost the other of their two previous group
matches at the event and knew victory today would all but guarantee
their passage into the semi-finals. They went about their task with great enthusiasm but came up against
an Iraqi side intend on frustrating Ireland by slowing down the game at
every given opportunity. Captain Stephen Ward set up the first chance on 20 minutes,
releasing the onrushing Keith Treacy and though the Blackburn Rovers
winger rode three challenges, he was unable to get power on his shot
and Iraq goalkeeper Naser dealt with the threat. Naser would go on to have an inspired game, thwarting Ireland on several occasions with a series of terrific saves. Ward did have the custodian beaten five minutes before the break
when he connected with a Billy Clarke cross but his header sailed
fractionally wide of the post. Ireland pressed for a goal in the second half but had to contend with consistent and needless stoppages to the game. When they did find the openings, lady luck was again not on their
side. Keith Treacy's mazy dribble carved open the Iraq defence on 70
minutes and he found Billy Clarke with a cross that the Ipswich Town
striker met on the half-volley only to see it rebound off the crossbar.
Ireland drove forward in numbers looking for that elusive goal and
it almost cost them late on as Iraq conjured up a counter-attack with
Kadhim’s 85th minute shot clipping the crossbar. A clearly disappointed Ireland manager Don Givens said afterwards:
“Our players had the right attitude and approach to the game in that
they went out for the win. I could not fault them for that. “However, the stop-start nature of the match meant we could never
get a rhythm going and I hope our players never have to play a game
like that again.” |
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