Ireland V Germany – World Cup 2002 Match Report

Robbie Keane gets his
shot away against Germany

On the 5th June Germany came into this game at the Kashima Stadium, Ibaraki needing a victory to guarantee passage into the knockout stages of the 2002 World Cup. The Irish had to avoid defeat to ensure that qualification remained in their own hands going into the third match against Saudi Arabia.

Having thrashed the Saudis 8-0 the Germans were brimming with confidence and it showed in the early exchanges. Miroslav Klose, already on three goals for the tournament, looked particularly menacing and it was no surprise when he took advantage of a lapse in the Irish defence to nod home a Michael Ballack cross from out wide. The majority of the Irish fans who were behind Shay Given’s goal were stunned into silence – 1-0 to Germany after 20 minutes. At this stage it looked like it was going to be a long day at the office for the Irish players and the fans.

Ireland Respond to German Goal in Ibaraki

A few minutes after Klose’s goal the ball fell to Matt Holland in a similar circumstances to his goal against Cameroon. Unfortunately for Roy Keane’s stand-in this time the ball flashed narrowly wide with German goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn, diving full length. Despite the Irish pressure the Germans maintained their narrow lead into the half-time break.

In the the second half Ireland continued to press for the elusive equaliser. Ten months into the second half Damien Duff drew a fantastic save from Oliver Kahn. Later in the half Matt Holland also came close to securing an equaliser.

The Germans also had their moments in the second period with Shay Given pulling off a great save from a Michael Ballack shot from outside the box.

Ireland Equalise Against Germany

In the 74th minute the Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy withdrew the uncle and nephew combination, Gary Kelly and Ian Harte. In their place he brought on the inexperienced Steven Reid and the veteran striker Niall Quinn. Damien Duff moved into a wider position as Ireland stepped up the pressure on the German defence. As the match entered in to injury time it appeared that the efforts of the Irish would prove fruitless, Steven Finnan sent a long ball forward to Quinn who was just outside the German box. Quinn nodded the ball into the path of the onrushing Robbie Keane. Somehow Keane was able to wrap his right foot around the ball to get his shot away and he squeezed the ball between Kahn’s finger tips and the post. With just moments to spare the Republic of Ireland had equalised and earned a creditable draw with Germany.

Ireland V Germany Post-Match Comments

Manager Mick McCarthy was relieved to secure the draw and was impressed with the Irish performance

“We deserved something out of that game. We battered them and gave Germany a good doing actually. We had to take a chance at the end but what’s the point in going out without a fight. That was never going to happen. It’s a brilliant result. We’re in with a chance.”

Winger Damien Duff was also relieved having doubted that the equaliser would ever come despite all of the Irish pressure

“We had missed a couple of chances including myself. To score in the final minute was an unbelievable feeling. When Quinny came on he gave us something different. We thoroughly deserved a draw and could have even won the game.”

World Cup 2002 – Republic of Ireland V Germany Match Statistics

Ireland V Germany World cup 2002 Team Line Ups

Germany Team
Oliver Kahn, Thomas Linke, Carsten Ramelow, Christoph Metzelder, Torsten Frings, Dietmar Hamann, Michael Ballack, Bernd Schneider (Jens Jeremies 90), Christian Ziege, Carsten Jancker (Oliver Bierhoff 75), Miroslav Klose (Marco Bode 85).
Substitutes not used: Gerald Asamoah, Frank Baumann, Jorg Bohme, Hans-Joerg Butt, Sebastian Kehl, Jens Lehmann, Oliver Neuville, Marko Rehmer, Lars Ricken.
Goals: Klose 19.

Republic of Ireland Team
Shay Given, Steve Finnan, Gary Breen, Stephen Staunton (captain) (Kenny Cunningham 87), Ian Harte (Steven Reid 73), Gary Kelly (Niall Quinn 73), Matt Holland, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Kilbane, Robbie Keane, Damian Duff.
Substitutes not used: Lee Carsley, Gary Connolly, Richard Dunne, Alan Kelly, Dean Kiely, Jason McAteer, Clinton Morrison, Andy O’Brien.
Goals: Robbie Keane 90.

Attendance: 35,854 – Referee: K Nielsen from Denmark

2002 World Cup Group E Table After Second Round of Matches

Ireland & 1990 World Cup Finals – Irish Squad World Cup 1990
Ireland V England 1990 – Ireland V Egypt 1990 – Ireland V Holland 1990
Ireland V Romania 1990 – Ireland V Italy 1990
Ireland & 1994 World Cup Finals – Irish Squad World Cup 1994
Ireland V Italy 1994 – Ireland V Mexico 1994 – Ireland V Norway 1994 – Ireland V Netherlands 1994
Ireland & 2002 World Cup Finals – 2002 World Cup Irish Squad – 2002 World Cup Irish Group Matches
Ireland V Cameroon 2002 – Ireland V Germany 2002 – Ireland V Saudi Arabia 2002 – Ireland V Spain 2002