Ireland aim to restore pride

Restoring pride and confidence is the order of the day for the Republic of Ireland as they take on Greece in a friendly international in the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, the home of Panathinaikos.

After losing both their opening Euro 2004 group qualifiers, caretaker manager Don Givens was not taking this match lightly, despite coming to Greece with a depleted squad.

The withdrawal of 10 players on Sunday night meant Eircom League striker Glen Crowe, of Bohemians, made his senior international debut.

The Greeks, also looking to boost morale after two defeats in three of their qualifiers so far, were captained by Newcastle defender Nikos Dabizas.

Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Fyssas, Dabizas, Kyrgiakos, Basinas, Giannakopoulos, Karagounis, Charisteas, Tsartas, Themistoklis.

Subs: Venetidis, Amanatidis, Goumas, Kafes, Zagorakis, Georgiadis, Patsatzoglou, Hiotas, Papadopoulos.

Ireland: Given, Finnan, O’Shea, Cunningham, Dunne, Healy, Carsley, Holland, McPhail, Doherty, Crowe.

Subs: Breen, Partridge, Delap, Quinn, Hoolahan, Colgan.

Referee: A Trentalange (Italy)