Report: Ireland v Paraguay

Paraguay travelled to Dublin for a friendly against Ireland as part of their warm-up for this summers World Cup finals. They faced an Irish side who were cruelly knocked out against France in the play-off’s and were going out tonight to prove they could match World Cup sides.

Ireland started the better of both sides and got their passing together from the off. Only eight minutes in they got the breakthrough. An Irish freekick was headed off his own bar by Roque Santa Cruz and it fell to Kevin Doyle for a simple header from one yard to give Ireland the lead.

Both sides passing went downhill from there with a lot of misplaced passes. Paraguay really didn’t get into it at all and had a number of long range efforts which didn’t test Westwood in goals.

With 39 minutes on the clock, a ball into Robbie Keane was met at the back post by Liam Lawrence who smashed the ball into the net from a tight angle to net his second goal for Ireland.

Ireland were in control now but just before half time Westwood was tested for the first time with a long range effort which he tipped around the post.

Second half started off fairly quiet and the first chance of the second half fell to Kevin Doyle who controlled the ball on the edge of the box and turned and had a left foot volley saved rather comfortably.

Not long after that Damien Duff was released down the left, his shot came back off the keeper and Robbie Keane’s follow up effort went well over.

Paraguay started off the second half much better than they played in the whole first half and their first shot on target, from debutant Lucas Barrios ended up in the net on 58 minutes. A ball played in and Irish defence seemed to fall asleep and let him in easily to slot into the far corner.

With 63 minutes gone, Robbie Keane was substituted and didn’t look very happy about it. He was replaced by Cillian Sheridan who came on to make his international debut. Another debut after 69 minutes for Paul Green of Ireland who replaced Glenn Whelan.

Just after Green’s introduction there was a heart-in-mouth moment for Ireland as a cross come shot just rolled wide of Westwood’s post.

On 76 minutes Trapattoni handed out a third first cap, this time Keith Fahey coming on for Damien Duff.

After dominating the whole of the second half, Paraguay failed to get an equaliser.

Ireland run out 2-1 winners.

Next up for Ireland is Algeria on Friday evening.

Review: Ireland v Brazil

This friendly will be talked about as a game of two halves.

For 45 minutes, Ireland outclassed their more glamorous opponents and played them at their own game. From the off, Ireland’s players dug in and worked hard for each other and it didn’t take them long to find their passing and at times looked like Brazil.

They created the better chances of the first half with Kevin Doyle going closest with a header kept out one handed by Julio Cesar.

It looks as if both sides would go in level at half time but Brazil had other ideas. Damien Duff faile to play and easy ball to a team-mate and gave it away. Brazil broke through Kaka, who as he passed the ball off threw an elbow back at Paul McShane and really should have been pulled up. Mike Dean allowed play to continue and the ball found its way to an offside Robinho who’s cross was turned into his own net by Keith Andrews.

Ireland had every right to go in unhappy at half time.

The second half belonged to the magic of Brazil. Unlike the first half, they found their passing game and Ireland couldn’t do anything to stop it. Wave after wave of attacks and poor defending almost allowed Brazil in on a number of occasions but poor shooting kept it at 1-0.

With 14 minutes remaining Brazil put the game to bed as Robinho rounded off a good move and it proved to be his finally contribution to the matchas he wa sreplaced by Nilmar.

Preview: Republic of Ireland v Brazil

Tonight, the Republic of Ireland take on World Cup favourites Brazil in a glamour friendly match at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Brazil have travelled with stars like Ronaldinho who is out of favour and injured strikers Lusi Fabiano and Pato.

Ireland also have injuries and star defender Richard Dunne has withdrew from the squad. Ireland captain Robbie Keane also pulled out with injury but has since rejoined the squad to get assessed and could still lead out his country.

The match will see both goalkeeper Shay Given and left-back Kevin Kilbane set a new record of 103 appearances for the Republic.

Keane will notch his 96th international appearance if he plays.

The match kick’s off at 8.05 pm and is live on RTÉ and UTV.

Come on you boys in green!!