Keane strikes on a special night

Holland 0 Ireland 1

Brian Kerr's side weren't supposed to win this.

But the 6,000 Irish fans among the 44,500 witnessed a special night, a night illuminated by a moment of magnificence from Robbie Keane. The younger Keano can infuriate as much as thrill Irish fans, but he reminded everyone on Saturday evening that when he is good, he is very, very good.

With the first half drawing to a close, Keane was sprung into action by a superb slice of skill from Andy Reid. Deep within his own half, Keane set off on one of those trademark dribbles, Reid and Clinton Morrison intelligently drawing defenders from him. Just as fans Irish fans began to despair at Keane not using one of his runners, he unleashed a stinging shot from 30 yards. Edwin Van Der Sar had no chance.

Forget Dutch deficiencies for a moment. This was an excellent Irish performance. Like all strikers on a goal-less streak, fortune has deserted Clinton Morrison when he needs it most. Keane had a number of chances too; he made Van Der Sar work as early as the third minute, with a curling shot the Fulham keeper had to palm to safety. After 19 minutes he was again causing concern for the Dutch.

Wilfred Bouma, their centre-half, made his debut against Ireland in that World Cup qualifier. Keane tortured him then and he did the same on Saturday.

Bouma almost gifted Morrison a confidence-boosting goal in the 77th minute, as he and Jaap Stam combined to fluff a clearance. Typically, given the current phase of his career, the ball wouldn't drop properly for Morrison.

Shay Given was troubled only once in the first half, when in the 12th minute Patrick Kluivert's finish didn't match. Kluivert was a grave disappointment, although that is to take nothing away from Andy O'Brien who further boosted his ever-growing reputation.

When people trawl the memory bank for this night, Given's outstanding save from Roy Makaay will be second only to Keane's wonder goal.

Dick Advocaat changed his formation twice in the second half, something that irked some of the players greatly. "The manager should decide on one formation and stick to that now. It is up to the coach to make up his mind," Stam said.

In that light, it was refreshing to watch Ireland. Their game didn't suffer from any ego. Graham Barrett, surely a Premiership player, was industrious and swung in some fabulous crosses, Alan Quinn is likely to be talking to a lot more clubs than Sheffield United after his past two games for Ireland.

There were still a couple of heart-attack moments near the end. Chelsea's latest millionaire Arjen Robben, who showed more than either Ajax wonder boys Rafael Van der Vaart or Wesley Sneijder seemed to find a rare opening in the Irish defence. Kenny Cunningham brilliantly blocked.

That was the moment Irish fans believed they were watching a special night, built around a special goal.

Republic of Ireland: Given; Finnan, Cunningham, O'Brien, Maybury; Barrett, Quinn, Holland, Reid, (Doyle 88 mins); Morrison, (Lee 83 minutes), Keane

Holland: Van der Sar;Van Bronckhurst, Bouma, Stam, Reiziger, (Heitinga h-t); Davids, Van Der Vaart, Cocu, Sneijder, (Van Der Meydehi-t); Kluivert, (Seedorf h-t), Van Nistlerooy, (Makaay 66 mins)

Referee: M Dean, (England).