Soccer: Duff dazzles Danes

Republic of Ireland 1 Denmark 0 H/T

Damien Duff dazzled the Danes with some wing wizardry down the left flank and provided the cross from which Ian Harte gave the Republic the lead after 19 minutes of this friendly at Lansdowne Road.

Blackburn winger Duff left the Danish defence standing as he weaved his way into the box and delivered and inch-perfect cross for Harte to head home his eighth goal for the Mick McCarthy’s men.

Clinton Morrison was enjoying a good full debut up front, and was twice denied by some smart goalkeeping from Sunderland’s Thomas Sorensen who also somehow kept out a glancing header from Mark Kinsella with his knee after only four minutes.

Morrison popped up on the right flank after 24 minutes and delivered a dangerous cross into the six-yard box. Robbie Keane did well to get in the header, but it as an easy catch for Sorensen to make.

The disappointing Danes who will be joining the Republic at this summer’s finals in the Far East had a half-chance after 28 minutes, but Nielsen’s shot from the edge of the box was no threat to Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

A minute later they won a free kick near the left corner flag after a foul by Harte, but Brian Steen Nielsen’s away-swinging cross was headed clear. Morrison was suddenly on a good break after slipping away from Rene Henriksen, but was halted by referee Brian Lawlor’s whistle for a foul on the defender.

Another good run from Duff almost let in Keane after 35 minutes, but the Leeds striker had just strayed offside.

Kiely was a virtual spectator, so it was good to see him alert after 37 minutes when he rushed off his line to clear the ball as Gronkjaer closed in on goal after charging down Cunningham’s clearance.

Harte was caught napping in the left back position in the 40th minute when he allowed the ball to float over his head, leaving Dennis Rommedahl clear in the box. The Danish midfielder hit a fierce angled drive but Kiely made a superb save diving to his right to prevent the ball flying into the far corner, and then pounced on the loose ball.

The Republic hit back a minute later as Staunton’s deep free-kick from the left was headed back across goal by Matt Holland, and Keane headed wide at the far post.

But it had been a satisfactory first half for McCarthy and his men, and you felt there were more goals to come in this match.