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Slovakia snatch late leveller to deny Ireland

Saturday 8th September 2007, 9:26 pm

Kevin Doyle had fired Ireland in front in the second half.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Seconds away from clinching a rare away win of note in a competitive game, Ireland again conspired to throw away two points as Slovakia salvaged an injury time equaliser in tonight's European Championship qualifier in Bratislava.

Stephen Ireland gave his team the perfect start after a good Irish move after only seven minutes. Ireland grabbed his fourth goal in just his sixth international game after Robbie Keane let Kevin Kilbane's deflected cross run on to the Manchester City man. Ireland showed great composure before flicking over goalkeeper Senecky to give Steve Staunton's side the lead.

Kevin Doyle headed wide from an Ireland corner on ten minutes as the Irish side looked to grab a second goal. At the other end though the Irish defence came under some pressure although Kilbane ran clear after a corner kick. Another corner kick midway through the half saw eventual man-of-the-match Richard Dunne head to safety.

Sapara forced a good save from Shay Given after the half hour and John O'Shea mopped up the loose ball as luck rewarded the as usual excellent goalkeeper. Holosko failed to make a good connection with a header as Ireland's inability to retain possession hampered their ambitions. More sloppy Irish play saw Mansyk let fly from long range but Given was again well placed to tip over.

Sestak got in on goal but his angled shot took a nick off the boot of Stephen Kelly before crossing the face of goal and giving the home side a 37th minute corner kick. Slovakia levelled from the set-piece as Klimpl squeezed his header between Paul McShane and Kelly at the back post after Durica flicked on Sapara's corner at the near post and the Irish defence did little but admire the home side's play.

O'Shea again put in a performance far below that of an international footballer. A series of back-passes put Given under unnecessary pressure and the keeper had to slice the ball clear shortly before half-time as O'Shea clumsily scuffed the ball at goal. Given again was fortunate as his clearance was bound to hit a Slovak player and cannoned off Holosko before going behind.

Half-time arrived and most expected Staunton to spring Andy Reid off the bench for the ineffectual Aiden McGeady. However, Reid never made an appearance with the Irish boss strangely opting to give Darron Gibson a run in the second period - despite the fact that Northern Ireland are still contesting his eligibility to line out for the Republic.

McShane made a vital saving tackle to take the ball off Holosko after another defensive mix-up with O'Shea. Given was again alert to a long range effort from Manysk before O'Shea dinked a ball into Ireland inside the Slovakian box. The opening goal-scorer turned smartly before firing in a dangerous shot on the turn and forcing a fine save from Senecky inside the opening five minutes of the second half.

Mintal missed a chance for the home side as the Irish defence continued to look nervous.

Kevin Doyle blasted Ireland in front again with a stunning 25 yard drive just before the hour. The Reading striker took possession outside the box and after taking the ball on his left foot, let fly to the top corner of the net and sent the estimated 8,000 Irish fans into raptures.

Dunne made another important clearance as he booted clear from under his bar before the hour. It really could have been another embarrassing night for Ireland had the combination of Dunne and Given not been available and in top form. The keeper punched clear from Gresko's flick at goal from Cech's 64th minute free kick.

Gibson's first real involvement left Durica in a heap after the Irish player stood on the sliding defender's ankle. Slovakia though seemed to have lost their way and a stupid block by Krajcik on Kilbane earned a booking as the three points seemed there for the taking.

Dunne made another vital interception to take the ball away from substitute Sebo. Jonathan Douglas was another surprise introduction from the bench but he made a great diving block to turn Cech's attempted cross behind shortly after his arrival in place of Stephen Ireland. Slovakia continued to probe the flimsy Irish defence and McShane cleared from Sebo after Gresko got in behind Douglas.

Five minutes from the end, Robbie Keane saw his shot dribble wide after Doyle flicked on Given's long punt forward. Irish captain Keane was disappointing on the night and rarely saw sight of the home goal.

O'Shea got in on goal with just two minutes left and with Irish fans crying out for the defender to land the killer blow, he absolutely fluffed his chance across goal. Doyle was denied one-on-one as he got in after Slovakia failed to clear.

Dunne again made a vital interception as everyone around him lost their head in the final minute but it wasn't enough as O'Shea drifted way too far infield and Cech drilled home a 91st minute equaliser to deny Ireland a competitive away win yet again. O'Shea's half hearted attempt to make any sort of block proving why he rarely plays more than a cameo role for his club and raising further questions as to why he is continually included in the Irish starting eleven.

So now Irish attention switches to Prague on Wednesday night with Staunton insisting it is a must win game if his side are to maintain any hope of qualifying for the European Championship. However, Czech Republic are a far better team than Slovakia and Ireland may be looking at damage limitation going into the game.

Slovakia : Senecky, Gresko, Cech, Durica, Kimpl, Krajcik, Manysk, Sapara (Sebo 71), Mintal, Holosko, Sestak (Obzera 65).
Ireland : Given, O'Shea, Kelly, Dunne, McShane, Carsley, Ireland (Douglas 76), McGeady (Gibson 61), Kilbane, Keane, Doyle (Murphy 89).