World Cup Qualifier: Ireland defeat Holland in crunch match

Ireland 1, Holland 0 (full time)

Ten-man Ireland survived constant Dutch pressure and are now virtually guaranteed a place in the World Cup play-offs after a Jason McAteer second half goal gave the home side the points against Holland.

Ireland, however, survived an anxious start with Patrick Kluivert missing an early sitter for the visitors and somehow Ireland staying afloat despite being almost overwhelmed by the pace of Marc Overmars.

Near half-time there was another major escape when Kluivert and van Nistelrooy both failed to get a touch to Boudewijn Zenden’s free-kick. But at the other end the Irish also created chances, inspired by the dashing Robbie Keane.

Robbie Keane headed wide from Kilbane’s cross in the 22th minute and fiercely protested he was pushed but failed to impress either the referee or a linesman.

Then the Dutch incurred a second booking, this time for Zenden, who was lulled into a late challenge by Kilbane’s menacing run on the left.

Three minutes later Hofland was stretchered off after collapsing on the edge the Dutch area from contact with McAteer’s flailing arm.

The central defender eventually returned to the action after treatment to see Zenden risk a second yellow card with an ill-judged challenge on Harte. Referee Krug let him off with a lecture.

Ireland, although they looked nervous at the back, were clearly enjoying the cut-and-thrust with an inspired Robbie Keane mixing it with the best of them. He ran everywhere to probe at the Dutch defence and twice whipped in crosses in quick succession but found no takers.

Holland hit back and Kelly was shown a yellow card in the 37th minute for a foul on Overmars. Zenden arrowed in the free-kick from the left but neither Kluivert nor van Nistelrooy could make contact with the Ireland defence all at sea.

Robbie Keane threatened again at the other end but was blocked by Hofland in a promising position from Kilbane’s ball up the left channel. The ball ran loose to Roy Keane whose hopeful effort failed to trouble van der Sar.

Harte tested Holland with two long-range free kicks early in the second half but van der Sar comfortably collected the first and saw Arthur Numan clear the second.

Van Nistelrooy had a chance in the 53rd minute when Harte carelessly gave the ball away but fired straight at Given on the turn.

Then an error by Richard Dunne ruined his marvellous interception of a pass directed at Kluivert and allowed Overmars a low drive which Given pushed away at full stretch.

But Ireland were right up against it when Kelly fouled Overmars again in the 57th minute and was sent off for his second bookable offence.

Holland had already sent on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for Zenden and now the Irish had to withdraw Robbie Keane to let Steve Finnan take Kelly’s place in defence.

And they had a major let-off in the 62nd minute when Staunton’s back-pass drifted past Given and seemed certain to allow van Nistelrooy an open-goal tap-in.

Given, in desperation, flung himself at the Manchester United striker and both went down in the area but referee Krug waved aside Holland’s claims for a penalty.

It was real backs-to-the-wall stuff for the 10 men as Holland sent on another big striker Pierre van Hooijdonk in place of defender Numan.

Amazingly, though it was Ireland who took the lead - and sent Landsdowne Road wild - when Finnan’s cross lofted over the Dutch defence in the 68th minute and found McAteer completely unmarked to half-volley into the far corner.

Marc Overmars was substituted in favour of Van Bronckhorst in the 72nd minute to add more sting to the Dutch attack who did not seem to be able to penetrate the Irish makeshift defence.

Holland - playing for their own World Cup chances - continued to apply the pressure and Hasselbaink, van Hooijdonk and Kliuvert all missed chances to level the game, but Ireland put bodies in the box and attempts to penetrate it failed.

Kliuvert missed yet another scoring opportunity in the last two minutes, putting it just over the bar.

With two minutes of normal time remaining Niall Quinn was introduced for Damien Duff to a huge roar from the crowd.

There were three minutes of injury time added but Ireland survived the late pressure and Roy Keane was voted man of the match.