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Republic Of Ireland 3-1 Andorra: The Boys In Green Cruise To Easy Win
Ireland go top of Group B after recording their first win at their new home in Dublin...
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By Patrick Reilly
Ireland have gone top of Group B after recording their first win at their new home in Dublin's Aviva Stadium. Goals from Kevin Kilbane, Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane sealed a 3-1 win over Andorra, which was made even sweeter following Russia's earlier shock defeat against Slovakia.
Irish skipper Robbie Keane had called for patience before kick-off but there was precious little of that in the early stages as the unchanged home team began with a high tempo. Keane himself went close with a strike in the opening exchanges but the fans didn't have to wait long for Ireland's first goal at their new home.
Kevin Kilbane put Ireland into the lead on the quarter of an hour mark with a neat header from a quality Liam Lawrence corner. The Irish veteran doesn't score many but his opener marked Kilbane's third goal against Andorra in his long international career.
Lawrence should have doubled Ireland's advantage on the half hour mark but failed to chip the goalkeeper from close range. He made up for his error later in the half by supplying the assist for a stunning strike from Kevin Doyle who doubled Ireland's lead with a bullet from outside the box which rocketed into the top corner.
That should have been that but as with their opener Ireland allowed Andorra back into the game. Seconds before half-time Cristian Martinez silenced the Aviva with an outstanding first-time volley after an optimistic long ball and poor Irish defending allowed the player time and space to halve the Irish lead.
Ireland were a tad hesitant after the break as the visitors sprayed passes together in the final third looking for an unlikely equaliser.
Such fears were alleviated by a well worked Irish goal before the hour mark involving Aiden McGeady, Kevin Doyle and finally Robbie Keane who made it three.
Spartak Moscow's new signing McGeady started and finished the move, playing a deft ball to Doyle who returned the favour before McGeady set up Keane who chipped the goalkeeper with precision from inside the box.
The home team didn't repeat their earlier errors of allowing the minnows back into the game and a tepid final 30 minutes was played out.
Perhaps the only disappointment on a fine night in Dublin was the large amount of empty seats in the new 50,000 seater venue. Those will surely be filled for the visit of group rivals Russia next month in a crunch few days for the Republic who will also meet in form Slovakia three days afterwards.
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Irish skipper Robbie Keane had called for patience before kick-off but there was precious little of that in the early stages as the unchanged home team began with a high tempo. Keane himself went close with a strike in the opening exchanges but the fans didn't have to wait long for Ireland's first goal at their new home.
Kevin Kilbane put Ireland into the lead on the quarter of an hour mark with a neat header from a quality Liam Lawrence corner. The Irish veteran doesn't score many but his opener marked Kilbane's third goal against Andorra in his long international career.
Having never won by more than one goal in a competitive match under Giovanni Trapattoni the Irish backed off and failed to press home their advantage in the first half.
Andorra's Ildefons Lima was in the thick of things and clobbered Kevin Doyle in the first half with a reckless challenge. He failed to earn a caution but picked up one moments later for hand ball.Lawrence should have doubled Ireland's advantage on the half hour mark but failed to chip the goalkeeper from close range. He made up for his error later in the half by supplying the assist for a stunning strike from Kevin Doyle who doubled Ireland's lead with a bullet from outside the box which rocketed into the top corner.
That should have been that but as with their opener Ireland allowed Andorra back into the game. Seconds before half-time Cristian Martinez silenced the Aviva with an outstanding first-time volley after an optimistic long ball and poor Irish defending allowed the player time and space to halve the Irish lead.
Ireland were a tad hesitant after the break as the visitors sprayed passes together in the final third looking for an unlikely equaliser.
Such fears were alleviated by a well worked Irish goal before the hour mark involving Aiden McGeady, Kevin Doyle and finally Robbie Keane who made it three.
Spartak Moscow's new signing McGeady started and finished the move, playing a deft ball to Doyle who returned the favour before McGeady set up Keane who chipped the goalkeeper with precision from inside the box.
The home team didn't repeat their earlier errors of allowing the minnows back into the game and a tepid final 30 minutes was played out.
Perhaps the only disappointment on a fine night in Dublin was the large amount of empty seats in the new 50,000 seater venue. Those will surely be filled for the visit of group rivals Russia next month in a crunch few days for the Republic who will also meet in form Slovakia three days afterwards.
Follow Goal.com on
. Get the latest football news direct... Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best football fan community in the world!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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