Ireland/Russia: McCarthy takes two goal half-time lead

Rep of Ireland 2, Russia 0 (half-time)

Mick McCarthy takes a two goal lead into the dressingroom at half-time in Ireland's international friendly against Russia.

Millwall’s Stephen Reid gave the Republic the perfect start after just 140 seconds when he rifled home a 20-yard right-foot drive which squirmed under the body of Ruslan Nigmatullin.

Verona goalkeeper Nigmatullin looked far from the star recently named Russian player of the year as he was left red-faced after Reid had latched on to a poor clearing header following Ian Harte’s curling edge-of-the-area free-kick.

Reid was clearly out to impress and came close to a second three minutes later, this time drilling in a left-foot shot which Nigmatullin initially failed to hold before pouncing on the loose ball ahead of Robbie Keane.

With both sides paired together in Group 10 of the European Championship qualifying tournament for 2004, tonight provided McCarthy and Russia coach Oleg Romantsev with the ideal chance to assess one another.

The priority, though, remained the World Cup. Ireland are up against Germany, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon in their group while Russia face an easier draw as they take on one of the hosts in Japan, as well as Tunisia and Belgium.

Harte was given a 14th-minute chance to double Ireland’s advantage after a surging run from Duff had been brought to an end with a foul by Kovtun.

But the Leeds left-back whipped his 22-yard curler narrowly wide of the left-hand post.

Ireland were dominating the game, and it took an outstanding save from Nigmatullin in the 19th minute to deny the home side a deserved second.

He athletically pushed aside a fierce Roy Keane effort after the captain had been set up by Kevin Kilbane and Healy.

Robbie Keane the doubled the home advantage when he grabbed the ninth goal of his international career moments later, looping a 10-yard header beyond Nigmatullin courtesy of a Steve Finnan cross.