Keane closes on record in fine Irish win

Holland 0 Rep of Ireland 1

Robbie Keane is just one goal away from equalling Niall Quinn’s international scoring record after his stunning 45th-minute strike gave a makeshift Ireland team a surprise but thoroughly deserved victory over the disappointing Dutch.

The Tottenham striker took advantage of some poor defending as he jinked his way in from his own half and unleashed a fierce drive from 20 yards.

The ball flew into the bottom right corner as Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar looked on helplessly.

This was meant to be the night Holland gained revenge for the Irish blocking their path to the 2002 World Cup, as a 1-0 victory at Lansdowne Road three years ago helped Ireland finish second in their group to Portugal, with the Dutch in third.

It was also meant to be a party night for the Oranje in front of 43,000 fans in their final warm-up game before heading off to Portugal for Euro 2004.

Yet for all their talent – the Dutch starting line-up included the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert, Jaap Stam and Edgar Davids – Holland had to play second fiddle to Ireland’s controlled passing game.

In only the third minute a long goal-kick from Shay Given, winning his 60th cap, saw the Dutch defence hesitate and Keane nipped in to hit a volley which van der Sar tipped around the post.

Five minutes later Graham Barrett, the hero against Jamaica on Wednesday night, poked a shot just wide of the same upright after finding himself in a bit of space eight yards out.

Keane went close again when Andy Reid played a short ball to Barrett and he delivered a good cross to the far post.

Keane had his back to goal as he controlled the ball and sent in an overhead kick which shaved the top of the crossbar.

There was to be no stopping Keane, however, as he scored a brilliant goal bang on 45 minutes.

Keane's strike partner Clinton Morrison was just inches away from getting a goal for himself after 49 minutes as the Dutch defence was again slow to react.

Barrett crossed from the right, Kenny Cunningham headed the ball back into the danger zone and his Birmingham team-mate swivelled and hit a left-foot volley which crept just over the bar.

Keane had a good chance to equal that record in the 53rd minute as he pounced on skipper Phillip Cocu’s sloppy back pass.

The livewire striker carried the ball into the box but hit a low drive at van der Sar.

If Keane’s goal was brilliant then so too was the save from Newcastle’s Given which kept Ireland ahead after 75 minutes.

Johnny Heitinga crossed from the right and fellow substitute Roy Makaay sent in a bullet downward header, but somehow Given threw himself to his left to push the ball out.

Ireland’s win brought to an end a worthwhile 10-day spell in which they beat Romania at Lansdowne Road in Roy Keane’s return match, lost to Nigeria but beat Jamaica in the Unity Cup at The Valley, then stunned a strong Dutch team on their own turf.

Brian Kerr’s men will now have a well-deserved rest before their next friendly at home to Bulgaria in August – before the serious business begins of trying to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.