Ireland survive plucky Faroes challenge

Faroe Islands 0 Republic of Ireland 2

Ireland gained the victory they desperately craved to ease their fraying World Cup qualifying nerves, thanks to a penalty and a deflected shot.

The win sends Ireland into the summer break on top of group four, but with some challenging games ahead.

Brian Kerr’s side had to wait until the 51st minute to make the breakthrough, with left-back Ian Harte scoring with a powerful spot-kick.

The win was secured eight minutes later and when Faroes captain Oli Johannesen steered Kevin Kilbane’s beyond goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelsen. It was the Everton man’s first international goal for almost two years

The opening 45 minutes of this game, though, were about as uncomfortable as Ireland have endured throughout a campaign which has raised hopes and broken hearts in equal measure.

Ahead of this match, skipper Kenny Cunningham was asked if he would have settled for an ugly 1-0 victory. The Birmingham centre-back said no, believing it was Ireland’s responsibility to play brave football and impose themselves on their less-than-illustrious opponents.

Fog enveloped the world’s smallest capital over the course of the day, forcing the cancellation of a number of flights carrying Ireland fans into the Faroes. A swirling rain and a bumpy pitch added to the miserable conditions.

By the end of the first half, it is likely Cunningham would have given anything to get out of the Faroes with an ugly win as the Premiership status of so many of Kerr’s side counted for little on this remote outpost of European football.

Watched by one of the smallest-ever recent travelling supports for the boys in green, with around 300 braving the elements, early cheers died in their throats when Ireland’s attacks persistently fell foul off the offside flag.

John O’Shea, driving forward from his centre-back role due to Andy O’Brien’s suspension, linked up with Damien Duff who in turn played in Clinton Morrison for a sidefoot tap-in from inside the six-yard box, but to no avail.

Roy Keane then mouthed off at Bulgarian referee Anton Guenov and was immediately cautioned for dissent.

Harte followed up in the 17th minute with a free-kick from an almost identical position from which he scored the opener against Israel on Saturday, leading to an uneasy save for goalkeeper Mikkelsen as he eventually held on to the ball at the second time of asking.

But the Faroes, growing in confidence, almost stunned the visitors midway through the half as a breakaway move culminated in Julian Johnsson playing Hedin Lakjuni in behind a stretched Carr.

But after unleashing a first-time left-foot drive that had advancing goalkeeper Shay Given beaten, his angled shot shaved the left-hand post.

In the 29th minute, Andrew Flotum found a gap through the legs of Carr with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area, but this time it was more comfortably wide for Given.

Flotum then drove a speculative ball into the area forcing an unsighted Given to push it round the post. Indeed, it was looking like it was going to be another of those games for Ireland.

More so in the 40th minute when Ireland should have taken the lead as Andy Reid’s low 18-yard curler was superbly saved by Mikkelsen, with the rebound falling into the path of Stephen Elliott, starting his first competitive game.

The Sunderland striker – making his competitive debut for the boys in green – clipped the top of the crossbar from only 12 yards out, with the empty goal at his mercy.

But it was Elliott’s energy which eventually helped ease the tension shortly after the break, winning a ball and earning a penalty.

Harte converted for his second goal in five days upon his return from the international wilderness.

Then came the degree of comfort which helped Ireland play with a greater freedom in the closing half hour as Everton midfielder Kilbane scored his fifth goal for his country – courtesy of a comical deflection.

Elliott and Morrison then tested Mikkelsen in the following minutes, while Given was forced to tip a Lakjuni drive onto the post before the final whistle.

A draw against Israel on Saturday meant tonight’s match was a must-win and Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr said: “We could stay on top if we do our stuff in the three games.

“We wanted six points from these two games and the next best we could get was four and we’ve got four.

“It was always going to be a hard group and it was always going to go down to the last games.”

Kerr was relieved to see his side getting the second goal.

“Switzerland were leading here and they conceded with 20 minutes to go and I thought we needed the second goal,” he added on Sky Sports.

“We kept plugging away and we kept our composure.”

Stephen Elliott felt the 2-0 scoreline was fair.

“We got the result we deserved,” said the Sunderland striker, who was certain the penalty was correctly awarded.

“I knocked it by the keeper and he took me down. We got the goal and it helped settle us down.”