Keane Cancels Out Klose’s Opener

Played at a cracking pace without physical compromise, the crowded stadium in Ibarak was treated to a high tempo match full of incident and excitement.

The game, the first competitive match between the two countries this year, ebbed and flowed as the sides attacked each other from the kick off. The last time Germany and the Republic clashed was in 1994 when the Irish came out on top with a 2-0 win. The opening exchanges suggested that either side was capable of matching that performance.

Early Irish pressure unsettles Germany

The shifts in power and possession at the beginning of the game produced few clear chances until Damien Duff wove through the retreating German defence after a mistake from Hamman in the opening minutes. Luckily for the Germans, though, Duff’s control faltered as did the attack on this occasion.

In a confident ten minute spell at the start of the game, the green tide surged forward only to break on the rocks of the German five man midfield, who then themselves mounted offensives.

German coach Rudi Völler started with the same line up that trounced Saudi Arabia in Sapporo four days ago, and space created by the formation seemed to benefit the Irish more until Bernd Schneider exposed Ian Harte on the right. Schneider’s cross was met by Carsten Jancker’s head but misdirection denied him an 11th minute goal.

Germany’s hat-trick hero, Miroslav Klose, had more to deal with this time around with the Irish captain Steve Staunton on high alert after the Polish born German striker helped to dismantle the Saudis last Saturday.

German strikers create problems for rigid defence

As the game progressed, Staunton, who has won his 100th cap and made sporting history for his country, became more rattled by Klose’s pace. Then, as the German team settled into the game, Staunton started to clash aggressively with the German striker.

With Staunton tracking the live-wire Klose, Gary Breen was left to cope with the marauding Jancker. But the towering Bayern striker found himself up against more robust opposition than he was used to after going against the Saudis. And then Jancker’s luck took a down-turn when he failed to be awarded a 12th minute penalty after Breen appeared to haul him down while driving clean through on a goal.

Ballack provides Klose with goal number four

Gary Kelly and Steve Finnan were being pulled up and down the left flank by Christian Ziege who showed an exhausting desire for involvement throughout the first half. When Ziege was joined by the free roaming Michael Ballack in the 19th minute, his progress looked ominous.

Ballack’s searching lobbed pass found Steve Staunton in no man’s land, and a lack of pace exposed Ian Harte as Klose stripped him to nod in the opening goal, his fourth of the tournament.

Klose, the first German to score a World Cup hat-trick since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge achieved the feat against Chile 20 years ago, continued to raise Irish tempers. Harte and then Staunton again clashed verbally with the striker who continued to keep his cool.

With Germany sitting back, happy to attack on the break, the first half ended with Ireland pushing for the equaliser. It nearly came on 44 minutes when Robbie Keane found himself unmarked, but he scuffed his overhead kick from three yards.

Second half sees power struggle resumed

The second half began much like the first with both teams sweeping forward and tracking back.

Michael Ballack moved into a more forward position and saw three attempts on goal thwarted in a lively spell.

At the other end, Duff remained a constant thorn in the German side while his striking partner Keane proved to be more of a red-hot poker. The Leeds United striker went eyeball to eyeball with Christoph Metzelder after a clumsy challenge and had to be dragged away by Oliver Kahn as tempers flared.

A spate of substitutions for both sides indicated a change of tactic for the Germans and a last throw of the dice for the Irish. Niall Quinn and Steven Reid came on for Gary Kelly and Ian Harte to add an extra offensive option. Minutes later, Oliver Bierhoff swapped places in the German attack with Jancker.

With the clock ticking, Keane grabs the equaliser

In the dash for the finish, the Irish continued to press forward. But Keane was denied a goal by Kahn in the 82nd minute after fine work from Quinn. Quinn himself was denied by the German captain four minutes later as time seemed to run out for the Republic.

If they had missed their chances, no one told the Irish.

With 92 minutes on the clock, a lofted cross into the German penalty box was skillfully headed down by Quinn, and Robbie Keane was faster to react than Carsten Ramelow. Goalie Kahn was left pawing at air as the Irish forward slammed a shot high into the net. And suddenly the scores were level: 1 to 1.

A minute later, the game was over, but the Irish dream of further cup action was not. The Germans are still on course for the second round but this must surely be seen as two points lost rather than one secured.