Ireland looking for Swiss revenge

Robbie Keane today delivered a defiant message to Switzerland by warning: “We owe you one.”

Keane yesterday made history in becoming the Republic of Ireland’s leading goalscorer, equalling the record set by Niall Quinn, netting his 21st at international level with an early second-half penalty which capped an easy 3-0 win over Cyprus at Lansdowne Road.

With Clinton Morrison and Andy Reid softening up the woeful Cypriots in the first half, it was the ideal start for the Irish World Cup qualifying campaign.

After failing to reach the finals of the European Championships in Portugal, resulting in 11 months of friendlies and incorporating nine matches, it was the competitive warm-up needed ahead of sterner tests to come.

The credentials of Kerr’s squad will come under closer scrutiny on Wednesday in Basle, scene of great disappointment last October when the Irish were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland, so ending their Euro 2004 hopes.

It was the completion of a shock double for the Swiss, as a year earlier they triumphed 2-1 at Lansdowne Road, a defeat which signalled the end of Mick McCarthy’s reign.

Understandably within the Republic camp there is the desire and need to put the record straight, particularly if they are to qualify from Group Four which also includes France, surprisingly held to a goalless home draw by Israel yesterday.

“We want to make amends for those defeats,” insisted Spurs striker Keane.

“We owe them a few results, and I’m sure come Wednesday the lads won’t forget that and hopefully we will turn them over.

“We realise these games against Switzerland are key if we are to qualify. Although we did well against Cyprus, we all know there are no easy games.

“We’ve made a good start with a home win, but it’s important to pick up good results on the road and we will be going to Switzerland looking to win.”

Keane would also take great satisfaction from netting his 22nd goal against Switzerland and so becoming his country’s all-time leading scorer outright.

But it was clear just what yesterday meant to the 24-year-old, whose tally has come in just 53 matches compared to the 91 it took Quinn, and he immediately dedicated the goal to the memory of his late father Robbie snr, who died in March last year from cancer.

“It was very satisfying equalling Niall’s record, a special moment for me and I would like to dedicate it to my father,” reflected Keane.

“I know Quinny well and I’ve had the pleasure of playing alongside him. He’s someone I admire greatly and he was always good to me.

“So it’s nice to be level pegging with him, but hopefully I can now put it out of sight then maybe people won’t be asking me questions about it all the time!”

Keane, though, lacked the customary edge to his game, unsurprising given he has only recently returned from a lengthy lay-off with an ankle injury.

But the team around him shone in front of 35,900, in particular across the middle where there were notable injury absentees in Roy Keane – who is to return to the squad for the Swiss game – and Matt Holland, however Everton’s Kevin Kilbane and Cardiff captain Graham Kavanagh came to the fore.

Up front, Birmingham striker Morrison was lively and energetic and deserved his headed 33rd-minute opener which brought an end to his international goal drought at 777 minutes.

But it was on the wings where the Republic were a class above as Chelsea’s Damien Duff, and especially man-of-the-match Reid gave the Cypriots a torrid time.

Reid’s 37th-minute strike on his competitive debut, and his second successive goal for Ireland, was a stunning 25-yard left-foot curler into the top right-hand corner which brought the house down.

“He was definitely man of the match – you could see that in his performance and with his goal which capped it all off,” enthused Keane on Reid.

“He is such a clever player and great to play with because he is always looking for you, and that helps at this level when you don’t get that many chances.

“But there’s a lot of individual talent in this team. There are players who can change the game and we’re lucky to have that.

“Overall, this was a great result for us and a great team performance as well. You want to start any campaign on a good note, and that is what we have done. Hopefully we can kick on from here.”