Italy 0 - 2 Ireland

[lostinspace1970]

WTF......with Paul McShane as captain....strange times we're living in

 

RTÉ Sport: As it Happened: Rep of Ireland 2-0 Italy

 

 

 

As it Happened: Rep of Ireland 2-0 Italy

 

Tuesday, 7 June 2011 21:42

By Rory Houston - sportonline@rte.ie

 

2140 Thanks for reading. We'll have a report on the game shortly. See you in August for the friendly with Croata.

 

2138 Ireland seal a memorable win over Italy thanks to goals from Keith Andrews and Simon Cox. That was a brilliant Ireland display and what a two weeks for the Boys in Green.

 

Full-time: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Italy

 

90 + 3 min Damien Delaney comes on for a 90 second appearance in place of Ward. I'd give the Man of the Match award to Sean St Ledger. A magnificent showing. Truthfully every player has been fantastic.

 

90 + 1 min There will be five added minutes. That was a tremendous break away goal by the Irish players. Trap didn't flinch as goal went in but he must be thrilled

 

90 min Stephen Hunt is fed down the left by Ward. Hunt has plenty of room to run on and outpace his man before crossing to Simon Cox to slide the ball into the net.

 

GOAL - IRELAND - SIMON COX

 

89 min Polombo's high cross is punches away by Forde who has done everything right on his first start for Ireland.

 

87 min Off-target from Giovincho, high over the bar. Italy have been awful from set-pieces tonight.

 

86 min Another free-kick for Italy with Kelly the guilty man again.

 

85 min Kelly fouls an Italy forward about 25 yards from goal. Montolivo will take it but the Irish wall comes rushing outing and makes the block.

 

83 min O'Dea is forced off with an injury with Stephen Kelly coming on.

 

81 min The imperious St Ledger flicks it away when Cazzani whips a dangerous ball in. Shortly after, Polombo skies a shot well over the bar. We can judge Trap for his strange selections but there is no doubt he has the players working to the mentality he implores.

 

79 min Italy hold the ball, looking for a pass, but it can't be found. There is no breaking down this Irish defence. I was worried on some occasions but as the game goes on the Irish defence gets better and better.

 

78 min Trap will be one happy man after this as Ireland win the ball back, hold it for a few passes and then work remarkably hard to win it back when giving it away.

 

75 min Great defending from Ireland as they are caught on the break after Paul McShane's cross is cleared. The Irish defenders race back and Stephen Ward intercepts a pass with an Italy forward lurking.

 

74 min Treacy comes on for Keogh as Trap empties his bench.

 

72 min Ireland continue to pressurise the Italy attackers and make sure they limit the openings in the final third. No sign of a goal as things stand but you do feel Italy have it in them to cut open the defence.

 

71 min Poor effort from Italy as they send another shot from distance over the bar.

 

69 min Great defender by St Ledger as he tracks his man Matri all the way and makes sure the Italian can only flick a header across goal rather than get an effort on goal in.

 

68 min Great piece of play by Ireland, started by a backheel by Stephen Hunt, with Stephen Ward unfortunately crossing the ball straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.

 

67 min Matri is ruled offside when about to get through on goal for Italy. It looked a close call against St Ledger.

 

66 min The game has gone quite flat because of the substitutes and here is another. Balzaretti on for Criscito for Italy. Trap is on the sidelines dishing out instructions for Ireland to keep their workrate going.

 

63 min Marchisio slams a shot wide of the goal from 25 yards. Italy have never really tested David Forde on his full debut.

 

62 min Ireland have not been an attacking threat in this half so maybe the change might alter that. Gilardino takes two minutes to be caught offside.

 

59 min Glenn Whelan and Simon Cox on for Kevin Foley and Shane Long.

 

58 min Gilardino and Giovinco on for Nocerino and Pazzini for Italy.

 

56 min Pazzini is punished for a handball as Italy try in vain to get this equalising goal. They will get the goal eventually if they keep this up - Ireland don't look completely solid. More subs on the horizon.

 

54 min The ball is laid into the path of Pazzini who turns ahead of O'Dea and slips a shot wide of Forde in the Ireland goal.

 

53 min Cassani tries to pick out Matri once again. This time the ball is overhit and Forde gathers.

 

52 min Italy looking more and more dangerous as Cassani feeds Matri on the right but he can't get a shot away and loses the ball.

 

2053 They will be making a statue out of Brian Kerr in the Faroe Islands with his side now 2-0 up and Estonia down to 10-men. Faroe Island 2-0 Estonia with 25 minutes left.

 

50 min Palombo's corner is overhit and drifts out for a throw-in. Criscito is back on his feet by the way.

 

49 min Great tackle by Seamie Coleman as he stops Criscito sending the ball into the box. The Italy defender stays down after that strong tackle by Coleman.

 

47 min Matri shows quick feet to force a foul from St Ledger. Italy have a free beside the corner flag that Palombo sends in but it's an easy take for Forde.

 

46 min We're back underway in the second half with Palombo and Matri on for Rossi and Pirlo for Italy.

 

2042 This is Andews celebrating the goal. Second half will get underway in a few minutes.

 

 

 

2032 Ireland may not deserve the lead but they have worked very hard for it and Italy have not asked enough questions.

 

Half-time: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Italy

 

45 + 1 min Ireland restricting Italy to shot from distance and Nocherino tries another effort in the last action of the half. It is well wide and the referee is going to blow it up.

 

44 min Scrappy end to the half with both teams losing possession and the game going a bit flat. Looks like Ireland will lead at the break.

 

42 min Encouraging for Ireland as they threaten a second goal. Stephen Hunt whips in a tremendous cross that Italy manage to head away. It comes to Coleman, on his left foot, but again Italy get numbers in front of the ball.

 

40 min The ball rebounds around two Ireland defenders and eventually comes to Pazzini four yards out but he flicks the ball wide. The linesman had his flag up but Italy are back on the offence.

 

39 min The crowd have been stunned by that goal with no real reaction from the Italy players.

 

37 min The Italy wall should really have put pressure on Andrews there. Andrews did well to keep the shot low and in the corner.

 

36 min Ireland take the lead as Stephen Hunt lays the ball back to Keith Andrews, who takes a touch, runs towards goal and unleashes a drilled shot low into the corner of the net. The Italy goalkeeper has no chance. Ireland celebrate an advantage they don't really deserve.

 

GOAL - IRELAND - KEITH ANDREWS

 

35 min The new picture should show you just how heavy the rain is in Liege. Shane Long has won another set-piece for Ireland. This will be a good chance to put in a decent cross, 35 yards out on the left of the field.

 

33 min Ireland win a free-kick about 25 yards out from goal. Stephen Hunt will take it, with the wall blocking the shot and Viviano coming off his line to clam the ball when it is deflected into the air.

 

 

 

32 min Marchisio shows some nice skill to pick out Rossi eight yards out. Goalkeeper Forde comes rushing out from goal and claims the ball before Rossi can get a shot away. Good play by Forde.

 

30 min Italy send in another cross from the right but it has too much pace on it and goes wide. Keith Andrews picks up a yellow for dissest. It is not too often you pick up two yellow cards in the first half an hour in a friendly game but Ireland have done just that.

 

28 min Great news for Brian Kerr as Frodi Benjaminsen gives the Faroe Islands the lead after 43 minutes. Faroe Island 1-0 Estonia.

 

27 min Nocerino comes inside and gets a yard ahead of McShane. From 25 yards, Nocerino's wekk-struck shot sails just over the bar. Forde had it covered it seemed.

 

26 min McShane, up for a long ball forward from a free-kick, tries to flick a header towards goal with the ball trickling wide.

 

25 min The first time Italy have numbers up sees Ireland left three on three with Marchisio getting ahead of Andrews and sliding the ball to Pazzini on the right. Pazzini faces Stephen Ward, with the defender standing up well and making a difficult angle for the Italian. Pazzini's effort at goal goes wide at the near post. That was the first time Ireland were really under threat.

 

23 min Sean St Ledger gets in the way of a Montolivo effort from 25 yards out from goal. Moments later, Shane Long tries to get behind the Italy defence but the former Cork City man is ruled to be offside.

 

22 min McShane clears away with a diving header as the ball is whipped into the area. Again, Italy only had two men in the area there. Stephen Hunt is booked shortly after as he slides in on Pazzini and appears to knee the Italian in the head.

 

21 min Italy need to get a few more players forward as Rossi has had to drop too deep to get the ball. In fairness to the players, the rain continues to fall and it's making controlling the ball quite difficult.

 

19 min Pirlo's effort rebounds off the wall and eventually the ball is worked back to the Irish goalkeeper Forde....

 

18 min Montolivo swings a brilliant ball across the goal but Italy don't have enough players back. Italy regain possession and O'Dea is punished for a handball 25 yards out. This is Pirlo territory....

 

16 min Italy are starting to play the ball about a bit more but I've been impressed with the Ireland workrate. There are plenty of players tracking back with Coleman covering McShane and Hunt and Keogh also doing good work in their own half.

 

14 min Italy threatening again, looking for an opening but with Ireland having plenty of defenders back. Stephen Hunt is the man who comes away with the ball as Ireland clear.

 

13 min First chance for Ireland and Shane Long. Keogh slips in his strike partner in a one-two and Long turns and drags a shot wide from 10 yards with the Italy defenders left trailing.

 

12 min McShane is caught out by an Italien cross with Nocerino winning the ball eight yards from goal. McShane is fortunate that the Nocerino loses control of the ball.

 

11 min Montolivo tries a strike from distance with Sean St Ledger doing well to head it out of play for a throw. Marchisio tries to play Rossi in on goal but O'Dea cuts it out.

 

10 min Wasteful as Andrews lays it off to Hunt, who isn't ready for the pass. The ball runs away from the Wolves player and his pass goes out for a throw-in.

 

9 min More fouling with Coleman first being brought down and then Long feeling a tackle from Pirlo. Ireland have a free 35 yards. The centre-backs will go forward.

 

7 min Coleman wins a foul on halfway for Ireland. There have been a couple of bad challenge in recent moments with the rain making the ball run pretty quick.

 

5 min Hunt tries a mazy run down the left but can't get a cross away. The front two for Ireland look lively so far.

 

4 min Ireland find their feet in the game without ever stringing together a few passes. Both teams just settling down now. The pitch is nice and slick and it has been fairly open so far.

 

2 min McShane kicks the ball off Montolivo to win a goal kick for Ireland. Keogh's flicked header tries to feed Long but the Reading man is ruled offside.

 

1 min Italy start the game on the attack with Paul McShane having to clear the ball twice in the opening minute.

 

1944 After going through the pre-match rituals, Italy will get the game underway. Ireland are wearing the black jersey they sported in the Nations Cup.

 

1942 Ireland subs: Murphy, Kelly, Cox, Delaney, Whelan, Lawrence, Treacy.

 

1941 The Irish players stand for the Amhran na bhFiann.

 

Ireland team

 

David Forde; Paul McShane, Sean St Ledger, Darren O'Dea , Stephen Ward; Seamus Coleman, Keith Andrews, Kevin Foley, Stephen Hunt; Andy Keogh, Shane Long.

[Pidge]

Was a decent game, Italy were shite and were getting a lot of dodgy decisions too. It was 1-0 heading into injury time and then 5 minutes went up! No idea where that came from...

[lostinspace1970]

No disrespect to our lads, but I presume that the Italians weren;t that bothered?

[The Dude Abides]

Italy have been no great shakes for a few years. We should have topped that group last time, and then their showing in the WC was a disgrace.

[JaminKibbler]

Just today I saw a bet for 17/1 on Ireland to win 2-0. Thought it was crappy odds but would have been worth a punt realistically.

[mypost]

WTF......with Paul McShane as captain....strange times we're living in

 

RTÉ Sport: As it Happened: Rep of Ireland 2-0 Italy

 

As it Happened: Rep of Ireland 2-0 Italy..........

 

...........1941 The Irish players stand for the Amhran na bhFiann.

 

Ireland team

 

David Forde; Paul McShane, Sean St Ledger, Darren O'Dea , Stephen Ward; Seamus Coleman, Keith Andrews, Kevin Foley, Stephen Hunt; Andy Keogh, Shane Long.

 

You posted the link, so I've shortened the post for you. :smile:

[Red '84]

they´re coming good again though, playing some proper football.

 

still a way off germany, holland and spain but they´ll be a dark horse for the euro´s next year in a tournament which i reckon will be top quality, maybe for the last time seeing as it will be enlarged to 24 teams after that.

 

italy that is

 

hopefully the boys in green will show some bollocks in the two big games coming up and get there as well

[Gym Beglin]

Ta you twat, recorded it and didn't want to know the score until later, thought I'd come on TLW and check out the latest transfer shite...

[Trumo]

It was a friendly. Italians don't do friendlies very well. Especially at the end of the season, when all their players want to swan off to the USA or the Amalfi coast and can't really be bothered to put in a shift.

[RobbieOR]

I reckon we'll finish top of our group.

[Red Phoenix]

Wow, well done Ireland, great result.

 

Ah, didn't realise it was a friendly, still a good result though.

[Lucky Pierre]

Just today I saw a bet for 17/1 on Ireland to win 2-0. Thought it was crappy odds but would have been worth a punt realistically.

I had a mere 30p on Lawrence/2-0. As Lawrence wasn't on the pitch at the time of the first goal it all went on 2-0. Happy days!

[gingerhulk]

I had a mere 30p on Lawrence/2-0. As Lawrence wasn't on the pitch at the time of the first goal it all went on 2-0. Happy days!

 

Tight bastard

[mypost]

euro´s next year in a tournament which i reckon will be top quality, maybe for the last time seeing as it will be enlarged to 24 teams after that.

 

Great idea. Should have been enlarged for the coming championships as well, but was rejected at the last minute. When we last qualified for it, there were just 8 teams and 15 games, which was not enough.

 

The quality of the WC was even better when it was enlarged from 16-24 teams, and so will the Euros be.

[WaltonRed]

Ireland played well dont be fooled.

[Monster Masch]

We're actually putting together a pretty decent squad at the moment. Hope to fuck we top our group.

[tenner]

We're actually putting together a pretty decent squad at the moment. Hope to fuck we top our group.

 

If we can get anything out of the Russia game i think we will win the group. I think that will be our hardest match.

[George Costanza]

We're actually putting together a pretty decent squad at the moment. Hope to fuck we top our group.

 

no your not. Its fucking ordinary. Ireland and a number of other middle of the road teams are helped by the fact that apart from Spain and then Holland/Germany the rest of the so called bigger teams are quite poor.

[RobbieOR]

no your not. Its fucking ordinary. Ireland and a number of other middle of the road teams are helped by the fact that apart from Spain and then Holland/Germany the rest of the so called bigger teams are quite poor.

 

Its decent for us, considering we had to put up with Steve Stauntons continuous rubbish for 18 months.