World Cup Qualifier: Ireland and Holland yet to score at half-time

Ireland 0, Holland 0 (half-time)

Ireland take a nil-all draw into the dressingroom at half time in their crucial World Cup Qualifier against Holland.

The tension made for an explosive opening and within 45 seconds Roy Keane was in a face-to-face confrontation with Overmars after digging into him near the halfway line.

Ireland cleared Philip Cocu’s free-kick but after Zenden collapsed claiming Harte had elbowed him, Kluivert legged up Kevin Kilbane and players from both sides rushed protesting to German referee Hellmut Krug.

Barely had that flashpoint gone than Kluivert was clean through on goal, courtesy of a poor first touch by Gary Kelly, but much to Ireland’s relief, rolled his shot wide with only Shay Given to beat.

Zenden tested Given with a fierce low drive from 25 yards and the Irish were battling to stay on terms.

Holland tried to exploit the pace of Overmars as often as possible and time after time he raced past Kelly to put in a stream of crosses that were scrambled away.

But Ireland looked lively as well up front in a frenetic start and, first, Roy Keane just failed to get his header in from a Steve Staunton free-kick after Jaap Stam fouled McAteer. Then Robbie Keane brought a sprawling save from Edwin van der Sar after Kevin Hofland had been booked for bringing down Duff.

Holland kept carving out chances, though, and Zenden should have done better than lob a tame effort at Given when well placed.

After 25 minutes, Ireland began to come into the match more and Robbie Keane was unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty when he shot wide after apparently being pushed in the area.

Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy had the best chance for the Dutch on 38 minutes but mistimed his kick in front of goal after Gary Kelly conceded a free kick for a foul on Marc Overmars.

In the final 10 minutes Robbie Keane and Damien Duff provided balls for Matt Holland, who failed to convert the chances.

Gary Kelly was booked or Ireland in the opening half while Zenden and Hofland were booked for the Dutch.

If Ireland draw today they would be virtually assured of finishing second in Group Two and earning a play-off with the third-placed team from the Asian qualifiers in November.