World Cup, Japan Korea 2002

Republic of Ireland v Cameroon

Round 1

June 1st - Niigata

Republic of Ireland 1 (Holland 51) v 1 Cameroon (Mboma 39)

African football has come a long way in the past few years, and we now had the current African Nation Champions as our first contenders. Matt Hollands equaliser on 51 minutes was the start of our domination as a team in this World cup. The Republic of Ireland were no longer the under dogs. Opponents feared us for our spectular style of Football

Republic of Ireland Squad

Given, Kelly, Breen, Staunton, Harte, McAteer, Holland, Kinsella, Kilbane, Robbie Keane, Duff. Subs. Finnan for McAteer (45 mins), Reid for Harte (78 mins.), Manager Mick Mc Carthy

Cameroon Squad

Alioum, Tchato, Wome, Song, Kala, Geazni, Etoo, Mboma, Lauren, Foe, Olembe.

Attendance:

Republic of Ireland v Germany

Round 1

Ibaraki, 5th June, Kashima Stadium

Republic of Ireland 1 (Keane) v 1 Germany (Klose)

On a day which saw Captain Steve Staunton win his 100th Cap for the Republic of Ireland, the game against Germany was nothing short of pure genius in both commitment and hard work. A 92nd minute equaliser from Robbie Keane was probably the most important goal, of the many high-light of our adventure in the tournament. If it hadnt been for Germanys' Kahn, we could have easily won this one.

Republic of Ireland Squad

Given, Finnan, Breen, Staunton (Cunningham 87), Harte (Reid 77), Kelly (Quinn 77), Kinsella, Holland, Kilbane, Keane, Duff

Germany Squad

Kahn, Linke, Metzelder, Ziege, Frings, Hamann, Ramelow, Ballack, Ziege, Klose (Bode 85) Jancker (Bierhoff 77) - Subs: Rehmer, Baumann, Neuville, Ricken, Lehmann, Asamoah, Kehl, Jeremies, Boehme, Butt

Attendance

Saudi Arabia v Republic of Ireland

Round 1

Yokohama, June 11th -

Saudi Arabia 0 v 3 Republic of Ireland (Keane, Breen, Duffer)

This Saudi team had been previously beaten a couple of days earlier by a staggering 8-0. And it was again Keane who shone, but with his partner in strike, Damien Duff. We were through to the knock-out stages, with either South Africa or Spain to face, pending on which team topped their group.

Republic of Ireland Squad

Shay Given, Gary Kelly (Jason McAteer 80), Gary Breen, Steve Staunton, Ian Harte (Niall Quinn 46), Steve Finnan, Matt Holland, Mark Kinsella (Lee Carsley 89), Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane.

Saudi Arabia

Al-Deayea, Mohammed Al-Jahani (Ahmed Dokhi 79), Redha Tukar, Abdullah Sulaiman (Abdullah Jumaan 68), Fouzi Al-Shehri, Hussein Sulimani, Ibrahim Al-Shahrani, Abdulaziz Al-Khathran (Mohammad Al-Shloub 67), Khamis Al-Owairan, Nawaf Al-Temyat, Al-Hassan Al-Yami.

Attendance:

Republic of Ireland v Spain

Round 2

Suwon, June 16th

Republic of Ireland 2 v 3 Spain

We came and for a while we conquered. Our Lads were Heroes, each and every one of them. And there’s not a worse way to go out of the World Cup but to be beaten on penalties. It was an unbelievable performance of Irish spirit and Irish determination, everything our team has become famous for, along with tremendous football, almost got us to the quarter finals of the World Cup 2002

End of extra time Spain 1 – 1 Republic of Ireland

Penalty Shootout

Robbie Keane scores, Hierro scores

Matt Holland misses, Baraja scorers

Connolly misses, Juanfran misses

Kilbane misses, Valeron misses

Finnan scores, Mendieta scores.

Final Score Spain 3 – 2 Republic of Ireland (Spain go through to Quarter Finals on penalties)

Republic of Ireland Squad

Given, Finnan, Breen, Staunton (Cunningham 49), Harte (Connolly 81), Kelly (Quinn 54), Kinsella, Holland, Kilbane, Keane, and Duff.

Spain

Casillas, Juanfran, Helguera, Puyol, Hierro, Raul (Luque 80), Baraja, Morientes (Albelda 67), De Pedro (Mendieta 65), Valeron, Enrique.

Attendance:

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