Matt Holland, it has to be said, put the final message to the watching world. And how many times has it been said that actions speak louder than words? The Boys did it without Roy, and although we all wanted him there, both Holland and Kinsella controlled the midfield area as Roy and Holland or Roy and Kinsella would have anyway. Mboma took advantage of an error in Stans defensive work to give Cameroon a 1-0 lead at the Big Swan stadium
But Irish determination, belief and a tremendous team effort in the second half saw us only take the point, whereas we 'were' robbed of the three. During the first half both teams had chances, and during the last third of the first half it started to look like USA 94, with tired Irish legs in the heat of Niigata. Luckily FIFA seem to be ok with water bottles being given to the players when time is available.
Foe and Geremi in the Cameroon midfield were key factors in spoiling Harte’s area of responsibility as much as they could. All the major danger in the first half came down the right hand side of play. As early as the first-minute, Robbie Keane had a half-chance from a Jason McAteer cross but was well patrolled by Kalla. Shay Given was sharp as usual, and blocked and punched Eto’o shots in the 9th and 18th minute. The Cameroon goal involved the above mentioned Eto’o again when Stan was fooled, lost his footing, and Sunderlands loan striker Mboma put it in the back of the net
Half Time – Republic of Ireland 0 – 1 Cameroon
Finnan on for McAteer, as he received a small knock in the first half (and a booking). Preventative substitution rather than necessary on McCarthys thinking. A couple of half chances at either end, when on the left Kilbane crossed, Kalla made a poor clearance and the ball fell for Holland who smashed the ball home. 1 – 1 !
Robbie Keane almost pulled it off when his strike hit the upright in the dying minutes. And last but not least Steven Reid who came on for Harte tried his luck too but Alioum tipped it over, part of a remarkable final few minutes which saw the Irish team pile on the pressure and end up disappointed with a point. McAteer, Reid and Finnan all received yellow cards.
Final Score Republic of Ireland 1 – 1 Cameroon
Teams on the day
Republic of Ireland
Given, Gary Kelly, Breen, Staunton, Harte (Reid 77), McAteer (Finnan 2ND HALF) Kinsella, Holland, Kilbane, Duff, Robbie Keane.
Subs not used: Connolly, Cunningham, Dunne, Kiely, Quinn, Morrison, O’Brien, Carsley, Alan Kelly.
Cameroon
Alioum; Tchato, Wome, Song, Kalla, Geremi; Lauren, Vivien-Foe, Olembe; Mboma (Suffo 69), Etoo
Subs not used: Njanka, Ndo, Ndiefi, Mettomo, Epalle, Alnoudji, Suffo, Djemba Djemba, Job, Kameni, Job, Kome
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