Soccer: Ireland win 2-0 over Iran

Ireland take a two-goal lead to Teheran on Thursday after a professional display against a largely unadventurous Iran side.

The visitors came to defend and looked like getting to half-time with their goal intact before Jason McAteer was pulled down in the box and defender Ian Harte cracked home the penalty.

The game was largely over five minutes into the second half when Robbie Keane volleyed home inside the penalty area.

Ireland can thank goalkeeper Shay Given - who was rightly named man-of-the-match - for keeping the visitors scoreless thanks to two tremendous saves from Iranian striker Ali Karimi.