Ireland restore pride with battling draw

Rep of Ireland 1 Czech Republic 1

Under-pressure Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton will be breathing a little easier tonight after his side secured a well-fought draw against group leaders Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road tonight.

There had been suggestions ahead of this Euro 2008 qualifying tie that Staunton would possibly walk if his side produced a repeat of Saturday’s humiliating 5-2 debacle against Cyprus.

But they restored much-needed pride, even if they failed to gain the win their display so richly deserved, Jan Koller’s low strike cancelling out Kevin Kilbane’s opener.

When Kilbane scored only his sixth goal for his country in 74 appearances just after the hour mark, that should have been the cue for a famous Ireland victory after so much adversity.

But just two minutes later striker Koller dampened Irish euphoria when he conjured an equaliser to keep coach Karel Bruckner’s team unbeaten after four matches in Group D.

At least for Ireland and Staunton the point will be seen as a start, ending a run of four successive defeats, and perhaps the speculation surrounding the 37-year-old will now ease.

Under pressure ahead of the game, Staunton had conceded he felt cursed, and it was with good reason as he went into the match without 14 senior players – 13 through injury, and with Richard Dunne serving a one-match ban.

Yet for the opening 20 minutes Ireland pressed, harried, hustled and fought for every ball.

In the 16th minute came an opportunity from which Ireland should have scored as a throw from Kilbane reached Jonathan Douglas, starting his first game after three previous substitute appearances.

It appeared as if Robbie Keane had been pushed from behind by David Rozehnal, but French referee Bertrand Layec waved play on, leaving Douglas one-on-one with Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Despite steering a right-footed curled shot towards the bottom right-hand corner from 15 yards, Cech saved with an outstretched foot.

The Republic came closer still in the 18th minute with John O’Shea flicking inches over the crossbar after a free-kick from Andy Reid.

From another penetrating Reid free-kick, Koller was then fortunate to see the ball fall just wide of the right-hand post as he tried to head clear.

The Czechs inevitably came into the game.

Tomas Ujfalusi was a yard wide with a 20-yard effort, and one of several corners from captain Tomas Rosicky was knocked forward by Koller.

From inside the six-yard box Milan Baros appeared poised to break Irish hearts, only for Henderson to save at point-blank range from the Aston Villa striker.

Ireland at least finished the half strongly with Reid forcing a save from Cech, and Duff curling wide after appeals for a penalty had fallen on deaf ears.

Ireland maintained the momentum after the break, with their reward arriving in the 62nd minute with Kilbane stroking home a low cross from Duff, playing on the right wing.

But the Czechs struck back immediately, with Koller initially holding off the attentions of McShane before squeezing a 15-yard shot past the despairing dive of Henderson and just inside the right-hand post.

Undaunted, Ireland pressed for a winner, and in the 88th minute it should have arrived as Duff’s far-post ball was ideal for Keane.

After scoring late winners in the two previous victories over the Czechs, a hat-trick of sorts was on the cards, only for Keane to miss a simple header.

Staunton told Sky Sports News: “No-one likes getting beaten – I am the world’s worst for losing, especially by that amount (5-2 to Cyprus).

“The attitude has been magnificent and tonight we were unfortunate not to get three points. We’ll keep battling on, the group isn’t dead.

“I’m going to be here next month, in February, in March, the next year and the year after because I believe in the squad we have. There is everything to play for.”

Staunton was impressed by the way his side acquitted themselves against the highly-rated Czechs.

“In general play we had the best chances in the game but unfortunately they did not go our way again. I can’t fault them, and I knew what I’d get from the support,” he added.

“Tonight it was magnificent – the supporters are the best in the world, they believe in the team, they stand by us and we give them everything we’ve got.”