August 20, 2003
Republic of Ireland 2 Australia 1
MARK VIDUKA finally broke his international goal drought but it was not enough to stop the Irish coming from behind to win this international friendly at Lansdowne Road today.
Socceroo defender Lucas Neill (right) challenges Irish dangerman Damien Duff. AP picure.
A goal by substitute Clinton Morrison 10 minutes from time gave the Irish the win after they fell behind in the 49th minute.
Morrison beat an advancing Mark Schwarzer in a race to a slow rolling ball in the penalty area, and just sneaked it past the Australian goalkeeper to edge it inside the upright and into the net.
Viduka put Australia 1-0 up when he trapped a long cross from Stan Lazaridis on his chest and knocked the goal in from point blank range, only his third for the Socceroos in 23 internationals and first in over two years.
He had the perfect chance to make it 2-0 10 minutes later but missed an open goal as he dribbled toward Colgan, slamming his shot straight into the advancing keeper.
The Irish started to get on top midway through the second-half and finally broke through with the equaliser in the 74th minute when John O'Shea headed in Ian Harte's free kick from near the corner.
The home team continued to pressure the Australian defence which was caught napping to allow Morrison in to a huge ovation from the 37,200 crowd.
The Socceroos had some late chances but failed to snare the equaliser.
Australia were without gun striker Harry Kewell who pulled out with an Achilles injury but was still the more threatening team in attack and proactive in defence in the first-half.
Australia had several clear chances before the break, the best of which came from Marco Bresciano and Danny Tiatto who were among the Socceroos' busiest players.
In the 13th minute, Brescianio pounced on a loose ball off a Steve Finnan handball and hammered a volley from just outside the box. It slammed into the underside of the crossbar but bounced out.
A minute later, he followed up with a rasping left foot strike from 30m which keeper Nicky Colgan fumbled before retrieving with the assistance of his defence.
Tiatto then had a chance in the 21st minute as he ran onto a long clearance from 'keeper Schwarzer and only had Colgan to beat, but rushed his left foot shot wide.
The Australians worked well to shut down Ireland's most attacking weapon, Damien Duff, with defender Lucas Neill covering him and Brett Emerton constantly dropping back from midfield to double mark the Chelsea forward.
The Irish suffered a blow when their other potent force, Robbie Keane, was taken off on a stretcher just before halftime.
Keane fell awkwardly over defender Tony Popovic after a clever combination with Mark Kinsella forced Schwarzer to do everything he could to block the shot with his feet.
The 23-year-old Tottenham Hotspur striker was taken to hospital for an X-ray and could miss Ireland's crucial Euro 2004 qualifiers next month with Russia and Switzerland.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,7010331-23209,00.html
Republic of Ireland 2 Australia 1
MARK VIDUKA finally broke his international goal drought but it was not enough to stop the Irish coming from behind to win this international friendly at Lansdowne Road today.
Socceroo defender Lucas Neill (right) challenges Irish dangerman Damien Duff. AP picure.
A goal by substitute Clinton Morrison 10 minutes from time gave the Irish the win after they fell behind in the 49th minute.
Morrison beat an advancing Mark Schwarzer in a race to a slow rolling ball in the penalty area, and just sneaked it past the Australian goalkeeper to edge it inside the upright and into the net.
Viduka put Australia 1-0 up when he trapped a long cross from Stan Lazaridis on his chest and knocked the goal in from point blank range, only his third for the Socceroos in 23 internationals and first in over two years.
He had the perfect chance to make it 2-0 10 minutes later but missed an open goal as he dribbled toward Colgan, slamming his shot straight into the advancing keeper.
The Irish started to get on top midway through the second-half and finally broke through with the equaliser in the 74th minute when John O'Shea headed in Ian Harte's free kick from near the corner.
The home team continued to pressure the Australian defence which was caught napping to allow Morrison in to a huge ovation from the 37,200 crowd.
The Socceroos had some late chances but failed to snare the equaliser.
Australia were without gun striker Harry Kewell who pulled out with an Achilles injury but was still the more threatening team in attack and proactive in defence in the first-half.
Australia had several clear chances before the break, the best of which came from Marco Bresciano and Danny Tiatto who were among the Socceroos' busiest players.
In the 13th minute, Brescianio pounced on a loose ball off a Steve Finnan handball and hammered a volley from just outside the box. It slammed into the underside of the crossbar but bounced out.
A minute later, he followed up with a rasping left foot strike from 30m which keeper Nicky Colgan fumbled before retrieving with the assistance of his defence.
Tiatto then had a chance in the 21st minute as he ran onto a long clearance from 'keeper Schwarzer and only had Colgan to beat, but rushed his left foot shot wide.
The Australians worked well to shut down Ireland's most attacking weapon, Damien Duff, with defender Lucas Neill covering him and Brett Emerton constantly dropping back from midfield to double mark the Chelsea forward.
The Irish suffered a blow when their other potent force, Robbie Keane, was taken off on a stretcher just before halftime.
Keane fell awkwardly over defender Tony Popovic after a clever combination with Mark Kinsella forced Schwarzer to do everything he could to block the shot with his feet.
The 23-year-old Tottenham Hotspur striker was taken to hospital for an X-ray and could miss Ireland's crucial Euro 2004 qualifiers next month with Russia and Switzerland.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,7010331-23209,00.html
