Ireland and Greece scoreless

Greece 0, Ireland 0 (half-time)

Irish pride may have taken a few knocks in recent weeks with two Euro 2004 qualifying defeats and the departure of Mick McCarthy as manager, but Don Givens’ makeshift team did a lot to lift spirits with their first-half display in this friendly international in Athens.

Rookie striker Glen Crowe, the eircom League player from Bohemians who answered a late call to win his first senior cap, had the two best chances of the opening period, as he saw a seventh-minute volley saved by goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis and then sent a shot on the turn narrowly wide four minutes.

Given was troubled again by the uneven pitch after 24 minutes as he sliced a clearance from another O’Shea backpass.

But the Greeks failed to capitalise on the throw-in level with the edge of the penalty area as Ireland defended stoutly.

Ireland wasted a chance to threaten after 28 minutes when they won a free-kick midway inside the Greek half.

There were too few bodies pushed up into the box and when the ball was played into the feet of Crowe he was penalised for backing into his marker.

Given had to be smartly off his line a minute later as striker Angelos Charisteas chased a long ball from Dabizas, and the goalkeeper made a timely clearance.

The 26-year-old did well again after 38 minutes when he dived to his left to hold on to Charisteas’ deflected drive from 20 yards.

The Greeks came into the game in the dying seconds of the half as Given was well positioned to catch a Charisteas header, and there could be no complaints when the Irish went in at half time on level terms.