Doyle starts for the Republic

Reading striker Kevin Doyle was handed his first competitive start for the Republic of Ireland in their opening European Championship qualifier.

After three appearances in friendlies, Ireland boss Steve Staunton paired the 22-year-old up front alongside captain Robbie Keane at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion.

Staunton fielded his strongest available line-up for the Group D clash, with Keane, Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Damien Duff all returning from injury after missing the 4-0 friendly defeat to Holland 17 days ago.

New German coach Joachim Loew was still without key defenders Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder, Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny due to injury.

Arne Friedrich had at least shaken off a stomach bug to take his place in the backline.