Ireland 1 - 0 Portugal Wednesday February 09, 2005
Ronaldo challenges for the ball.
Newcastle United defender Andy O'Brien scored his first senior International goal for his country as the Republic of Ireland deservedly beat the 2004 European Championship runners up Portugal at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday evening.
Man-of-the-match O'Brien popped up in the first half, connecting from ha corner knocked on by John O’Shea, and the Newcastle defender helped the ball over his line using his knee.
Portugal – like Holland who only managed a 0-0 draw with England at Villa Park - wore black and white as part of football’s anti-racism campaign for their visit to Dublin.
The visitors played some good football, passing brightly through their own playmaker in the form of Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Irelands own bright-spark Damien Duff inspired his side to victory with his own personal performance, while there was even room for a clash between Duff and Ronaldo, as rivalries – it seemed - from the Premiership were heating up.
Portugal made a sluggish start to the game, and Andy Reid collected a wayward pass in the first few minutes, making his charge into the Portuguese penalty area.
Although the Tottenham man’s decision to pass rather than shoot allowed the visitors away with their poor passage of play.
Portugal made no mistake, and almost immediately Cardoso Tiago hit a low shot just past the upright. Ronaldo was next to try his luck but his shot was deflected wide by a number of Irish defenders. From the resulting corner, Jorge Andrede could have put the visitors ahead but scooped over the bar from six yards out.
Ireland – with Graham Kavanagh on for a second half substitute for Kevin Kilbane – set the standard again from the restart, and livewire Damien Duff was again causing ha clean sheets in twelve matches.
