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Did anyone see this match last night?

I was pretty excited about this. Italy are the current world champions so it was expected that they destroy us. Lets face it, we've havent been playing our best the last few years! We've improved under Trappatoni but still, Italy were by far the favourites to win.

3 minutes into the game, the Italian striker Giampaolo Pazzini got sent off for an elbow on John O'Shea. On camera, it didn't look like it was intentional. But bein a man up in a game like this, we'll take any advantage we can get!

Unfortunately, after 11 minutes, Iaquinta scored a simple tap in, from a cross from Pirlo, who passed McShane like he wasn't there. This is not the first game where we've let in goals from that right side of defence....
After the goal, it looked like our fears would materialise and we would get a hammering from the Italians.

However, we fought hard and kept possession and by half time, Ireland had over twice the possesion of Italy. Of course, possession is nothing if you don't get a goal out of it.

Half time score: Italy 1-0 Republic of Ireland

The second half continued on as the first half had left off. Ireland had most of the possession and made some good chances. Stephen Hunt being out key player. Caleb Folan came on as a substitute to add pace and some strength against the aging Italian defence. This paid off as Ireland began to slowly creep back on the Italians. Robbie Keane had started the game quite well but had since fallen into oblivion as usual. If Ireland are to take anything from this game, Keane would need to get his act together.

In the last 10 minutes of the game, Ireland were increasing the pressure on the Italians. Chance after chance came in, but none of them were converted. We had about 8 corners in the match, compared to Italys 1 corner. Ireland also had some free kicks at the edge of the box, but they lacked conviction.

In the end, it was route 1 play that got Ireland an equaliser. With minutes to go, Shay Given kicked the ball up the field, where Caleb Folan headed it down into the path of Robbie Keane, inside the Italian 18 yard box. Keane hit his shot low and to the right corner. The Irish traveling support went wild as the ball hit the back of the net. It was Italy 1-1 Republic of Ireland!

The game finished 1-1, but not without further chances from Ireland. The Irish team saw that the route 1 style tactics seemed to be working, so tried it again a few more times, each resulting in a shot, including another almost identical move that resulted in Robbie Keane hitting a volley over the bar. He was very close to getting a second goal and winning the game for Ireland.

It was a good entertaining game anyway. It leaves Italy still top of the table with 14 points, and Ireland closely following in second place with 12 points. Bulgaria are third with 7 points.

First place in the group gets automatic qualification for the World Cup, while 2nd place gets put in a playoff for the last remaining spot. Who comes first and second is now all up to the return leg when Italy play the Republic of Ireland in Croke Park nearer the end of the year. It should be an interesting game.

Man of the Match: Stephen Hunt (Republic of Ireland)

Teams:
Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Brighi,
De Rossi, Pirlo, Pepe, Pazzini, Iaquinta.
Subs: Amelia, Motta, Gamberini, Dossena, Palombo,
Quagliarella, Rossi.

Rep of Ireland: Given, McShane, Dunne, O'Shea, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, S. Hunt, Doyle, Keane.
Subs: Kiely, Delaney, Kelly, Keogh, Folan, Gibson,
N. Hunt.

Heres some more stats I picked up from another site:

Full-time stats

Italy 1 - 1 Ireland

34.1% Possession 65.9%
2 Shots 12
1 Shots on target 3
1 Saves 0
1 Corners 10
21 Fouls 13
4 Offsides 2
3 Yellow cards 1
1 Red Cards 0
18 Tackles 21
190 Accurate passes 403
48 Bad passes 45

Heres Keanes goal:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2306326/

Didn't see it but was listening to it in the backround! lol did you get to see it over there? irish pub?? lol

No, i watched it on TV on SBS.

had to get up at 2:30am to watch it, then as soon as it finished at 5am or whatever, they showed it from start to finish again. so i could've got more sleep and just got up then and watched it!