2002 FIFA World Cup (tm) Finals - Results & Fixtures - Saudi Arabia vs Rep. of Ireland

11 Jun 2002


Saudi Arabia	0 - 3	Rep. of Ireland
	(HT: 0 - 1)

Game Details
Venue International Stadium Yokohama	Attendance 65320
Referee Falla Ndoye (SEN) Assistant Referees Maciej Wierzbowski (POL) Frederic Arnault (FRA)

Game Events
#	Date	Player	Event	Period	Mins	H/A
1	11 Jun 2002	Robbie Keane	Goal	First Half	7	A
2	11 Jun 2002	Ian Harte	Player Out	Second Half	1	A
3	11 Jun 2002	Niall Quinn	Substitute In	Second Half	1	A
4	11 Jun 2002	Gary Breen	Goal	Second Half	16	A
5	11 Jun 2002	Nawaf Al-Temyat	Yellow Card	Second Half	16	H
6	11 Jun 2002	Abdel Aziz Al-Khathran	Player Out	Second Half	22	H
7	11 Jun 2002	Mohammad Al-Shalhoub	Substitute In	Second Half	22	H
8	11 Jun 2002	Abdallah Sulaimane	Player Out	Second Half	23	H
9	11 Jun 2002	Abdallah Al-Jamaan Al-Dossari	Substitute In	Second Half	23	H
10	11 Jun 2002	Steve Staunton	Yellow Card	Second Half	25	A
11	11 Jun 2002	Mohamed Ashleya Al-Johani	Player Out	Second Half	34	H
12	11 Jun 2002	Ahmed Al-Dokhi Al-Dossari	Substitute In	Second Half	34	H
13	11 Jun 2002	Gary Kelly	Player Out	Second Half	35	A
14	11 Jun 2002	Jason McAteer	Substitute In	Second Half	35	A
15	11 Jun 2002	Damien Duff	Goal	Second Half	42	A
16	11 Jun 2002	Mark Kinsella	Player Out	Second Half	44	A
17	11 Jun 2002	Lee Carsley	Substitute In	Second Half	44	A

Match report

Ireland surged into the second phase of the World Cup for the third time in their history defeating Saudia Arabia 3-0 to clinch the runners-up spot in Group E. Goals from in-form striker Robbie Keane, defender Gary Breen and winger Damien Duff secured a deserved win for Mick McCarthy's Ireland side at a rain-lashed Yokohama International Stadium. Qualification capped a superb first-phase performance for Ireland, left in turmoil after talismanic skipper Roy Keane was kicked out of the squad on the eve of the tournament. Ireland, who many thought would be knocked out in the first phase, now face a second round match against the winner of Group B, either Spain or South Africa.
The result delighted Irish manager McCarthy, whose handling of the Roy Keane furore attracted stinging criticism of his management.
"Sounds nice doesn't it?," McCarthy said when asked how it felt to be in the last 16. "It's great. We deserved it.
"They tried to slow the game down in the first half but we managed to take control in the second half," said McCarthy.
"That's a great result that," the Yorkshire-born former Ireland captain said. Agreeing that he had looked tense during the second half, McCarthy added: "You want to try sitting on that dugout when it's your backside on the bacon slicer."
Saudi coach Nasser al-Johar, whose side had already been knocked out following an 8-0 drubbing by Germany and a 1-0 loss to Cameroon, said his team had nothing to be ashamed of.
"We finished bottom of our group and we didn't score a goal - but so did France, so we're in good company," al-Johar said, referring to the shock exit of the world champions from Group A earlier Tuesday. "I am proud of my players for the way they played."
Keane's second goal of the tournament following his equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Germany last week came after Ireland poured forward from the whistle. A looping Gary Kelly cross from the right flank fell invitingly to Leeds striker Keane just inside the penalty area, who angled his body perfectly before thumping in a ferocious right-foot volley. But although Ireland controlled possession they struggled to seriously test Saudi Arabia keeper Mohammed al-Deayea for much of the first half. Midfielder Kevin Kilbane tried an ambitious shot from just outside the area which skidded along the sodden turf, but al-Deayea gathered safely. At the other end Irish keeper Shay Given had to be on his toes midway through the half when Saudi midfielder Abdulaziz Khathran sent a well-struck swerving shot goalwards. Saudi Arabia's best player in the opening 45 minutes was former Asian footballer of the year Nawaf al-Temyat, who made several lively incursions into Irish territory. Close to half-time Saudi wingback Mohammed al-Jahani embarrassed opposite number Ian Harte down the left flank, ghosting past the Leeds man before smashing a shot that Given beat away at the near-post. Ireland started the second half as strongly as they had done the first, and could have gone ahead when a promising build-up down the right involving the talented Damien Duff ended with Keane hooking a shot wide. They got their second goal from a freekick awarded wide out on the left. Skipper Steve Staunton's set-piece delivery into the Saudi penalty area caused panic and Breen popped up to jab home past al-Deayea on 61 minutes. Duff finally got the goal his rampaging wing play deserved three minutes from time, his firm drive being fumbled by al-Deayea and squirting into the net.

(courtesy of dailysoccer)




\| Second Round \| Quarter Finals \| Semi Finals \| Final \|



Back to 2002 FIFA World Cup (tm) Finals Menu

Page created by Christakis Ioannou on 11 June 2002 23:13:30.