Equador v Rep Of Ireland (Reading) match report

[hobbit]

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2069

Kevin Doyle’s spectacular goal the highlight as Ireland draw with Ecuador

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Date: Thursday, 24 May 2007 Section: International

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Republic of Ireland 1 – 1 Ecuador.
Kevin Doyle 44

The Republic of Ireland recovered in brilliant style to draw level with Ecuador with a spectacular goal from Kevin Doyle in the 44th minute of an open and entertaining friendly match at the Giants Stadium, New Jersey on Wednesday night.

The outstanding Kevin Doyle provided the most spectacular moment of a lively contest when he threw himself full-length to meet a flashing left-wing cross from Daryl Murphy and beat the goalkeeper with a header from six yards.

The goal confirmed the advances being made by Ireland’s rising young stars and they took encouragement from it to adopt a much more assertive approach in the second half.

They were quicker into the tackle, calm and assured in possession and they maintained the pace of the game by investing their work with a pleasing level of enthusiasm and drive.

This in spite of the fact that the quality of the surface left something to be desired. A new grass pitch had been laid on the synthetic playing surface just 24 hours earlier and the pitch was heavy and lacking in bounce.

Both sides applied themselves with a will in spite of that and an entertaining contest resulted with Ireland continuing to maintain a high level of performance and good balance, despite the introduction of six substitutes in the second half.

The number of new internationals was brought up to eleven, as a result, and manager Stephen Staunton will look back upon the match and describe it as a worthwhile exercise, one which gave Ireland’s new generation invaluable experience and an opportunity to build team spirit.

There were some edgy moments in the opening half-hour, however, as Ireland’s lack of experience was exposed several times by a sharp and inventive Ecuador strike force that had, in centre-forward Benitez a player of marvellous skill and lots of pace.

The Irish defensive line of four contained three new caps and they were close to being embarrassed several times as they attempted to contain the swift Ecuador strike force by utilising the offside trap.

Ecuador’s goal, in the 13th minute illustrated the risk involved in maintaining a high defensive line for Ireland were caught hopelessly square as Benitez raced clear onto a through pass. He drove a left-foot shot from the edge of the six yard box between the legs of the advancing goalkeeper, Colin Doyle, and into the net.

But Ireland showed plenty of ideas and initiative themselves in attack. In the 9th minute left-back Stephen O’Halloran disco-danced his way past a couple of tackles outside the penalty area and then beautifully disguised a through ball to Kevin Doyle.

Doyle, in his usual fashion, never hesitated as he drew first-time on the ball with his left foot to beat the goalkeeper, but he was disappointed as the shot struck the upright and bounced wide.

Daryl Murphy flashed a header narrowly over from Kevin Doyle’s speeding left-wing cross in the 16th minute but Alex Bruce was again out-foxed by Benitez in the 39th minute but this time the striker dragged his left-foot shot across goalkeeper Colin Doyle and wide of the far upright.

Then came Kevin Doyle’s cracking goal – his third goal for Ireland in his 8th appearance – and the half-time whistle arrived just as the hard-working Andy Keogh had a shot taken off the goal-line following Kevin Hunt’s left-wing corner with the goalkeeper beaten.

Darren Potter was a very influential figure in central midfield for Ireland while Daryl Murphy and Kevin Doyle troubled the Ecuador defence with their vigorous and hard-working style.

Ireland had more of the play in the second half and were close to going in front in the 68th minute when centre-back Alan Bennett challenged forcefully to reach a corner kick from Kevin Hunt and his strong, downward header extended the goalkeeper.

Ireland’s defence ensured that the Ecuador strike force was seldom given a clear view of Colin Doyle’s goal and despite the many changes, Ireland remained positive and ambitious in their approach.

The flow of scoring chances petered out, however, and the closing minutes were notable for the introduction of an amateur player, Joe Lapira, into the Irish team and the sending off in added time of Ecuador centre-back Carlos Castro.

Lapira was last season’s top player at university level with the Notre Dame University and has resisted so far several offers from MLS clubs in America. He was invited to join the Irish squad this week by Stephen Staunton and the manager took the opportunity of giving him ten minutes of football. He qualifies for Ireland as his mother came from Dublin.

Castro was shown a yellow card when he body-checked Kevin Doyle in the 58th minute and he earned a second yellow and a red, of course, when penalised for a foul on Joe Gamble in the 93rd minute.
Republic of Ireland:

Colin Doyle (Birmingham City);
Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Alan Bennett (Reading), Stephen O’Halloran (Aston Villa) (Joe O’Cearuill Arsenal 73);
Andy Keogh (Wolves) (Joe Gamble, Cork City 69), Darren Potter (Wolves), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic) (Stephen Gleeson, Wolves 79), Stephen Hunt (Reading) (Anthony Stokes, Sunderland 69);
Kevin Doyle (Reading)(Shane Long, Reading 60), Daryl Murphy (Sunderland) (Joe Lapira Notre Dame Uni 85).

[Daniella]

Good to see doyler netting again, this boy is special. I think he will easily replace keane as the fans favourite amongst the irish fans in the not too distant future aswell.

[1871 Royal]

God to see our boys in there. And one of the oldies.

Joe Gamble!

[Behindu]

Congratulations to Alan Bennett on his first cap.

Can't think to too many Royals players who won their first cap whilst still playing in our reserves !

4 Royals players in one international side - the weird stuff keeps happening, an England cap for someone next !

[willz_royal]

what was the goal actually like?

[premiership_bound]

what was the goal actually like?

Most likely two uprights, a crossbar with a net attached.

[Lieutenant Pigeon]

Did DLC play?

[Lieutenant Pigeon]

what was the goal actually like?

Might be a clue in the 2nd para...




The outstanding Kevin Doyle provided the most spectacular moment of a lively contest when he threw himself full-length to meet a flashing left-wing cross from Daryl Murphy and beat the goalkeeper with a header from six yards.

[starbug]

following Kevin Hunt’s left-wing corner with the goalkeeper beaten.

Ireland had more of the play in the second half and were close to going in front in the 68th minute when centre-back Alan Bennett challenged forcefully to reach a corner kick from Kevin Hunt and his strong, downward header extended the goalkeeper.

Seems a useful player this Kevin Hunt - no word on how Stephen Doyle played though.

[STAR Liaison]

Seems a useful player this Kevin Hunt - no word on how Stephen Doyle played though.

well at least Kevin Hunt got a vote for player of the season for Reading whilst Stephen Doyle didn't

[Lieutenant Pigeon]

Did DLC play?

To answer my own question just found out he wasn't even in the squad - manager wanted to look at home based players....

C.

[RG30]

"Kevin Doyle’s spectacular goal the highlight as Ireland draw with Ecuador"

Good diving header, nothing else. Just seen it on SSN

[Corky341]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 686569.stm

A wee bit more here. But not much. Nice to see 'our' lads doing well, again.

[sachalois]

The match is on Sky tonight -

[The whole year inn]

I can't look at the title of this thread anymore.

[brendywendy]

I can't look at the title of this thread anymore.

cataracts?

[nivek elyod]

Kevin Doyle, Kevin Kevin Doyle.

[brendywendy]

anyone see the game?

how did bennett play?

[Tinrib]

I can't look at the title of this thread anymore.

I c what you mean..

[Pablo Escobar]

anyone see the game?

how did bennett play?

Looked sluggish to start, but didn't put a foot wrong and he grew into to game. Nearly scored with a header with a few minutes to go. Ecuador's goal was Bruce's fault as Bennett held the line and Kadieves very well!