Ireland losing to Cahill brace at the break

Republic of Ireland 0 Australia 2

Tim Cahill struck twice in seven first-half minutes to put Australia in control of their friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Limerick.

An evenly-contested first-half was marked by the Everton man’s predatory eye for goal.

His first arrived after 38 minutes following a combination with Scott McDonald before poking home a second just before the break.

It continued Cahill’s excellent recent scoring record for the Socceroos after he scored both of their goals in their last encounter against Japan in June.

Australia started the brighter with Luke Wilkshire firing wide from the edge of the area before Harry Kewell forced Shay Given into a low save from a rehearsed free-kick.

The Republic were struggling to get any meaningful possession in the face a five-man Socceroos midfield.

When they did get the ball the hosts found some joy from the wings, with Aiden McGeady crossing for Robbie Keane who spooned a header over from six yards.

The Socceroos then twice wasted free-kicks from dangerous areas, and were almost hit on the break only for David Carney to get a timely block on Damien Duff’s goalbound effort.

The visitors almost went ahead from a set-piece after 22 minutes. Patrick Kisnorbo forcefully met a Bresciano cross which drew a good low save from Given.

Schwarzer then produced an excellent block of his own to deny Keane, after McGeady had played him in after a mazy run.

The Republic’s best moments were arriving down McGeady’s left flank, the Celtic winger almost profiting from Jade North’s heavy touch inside the area only to shoot high.

McGeady then twice saw crosses caught by Schwarzer before Gibson failed to spot Keane’s run down the middle on a break, instead over-hitting a pass for Doyle that slid out.

The home side’s profligacy proved costly as Australia hit them on the counter attack after 38 minutes.

McDonald and Cahill were Australia’s only attackers as they forged forward, but they combined superbly to free the Everton man on the edge of the area where he slid a low show past a static Given.

The visitors could have had another moments later when Kewell got behind his marker only to head over from six yards.

The second did arrive after 44 minutes and it was Cahill again.

Rhys Williams was allowed a free run into the area before unleashing a fierce shot that Given could only block as far as Cahill to poke home.