Green marks full debut with first-half goal

Republic of Ireland 1 Algeria 0

Paul Green marked his first start for the Republic of Ireland with his first goal against World Cup finalists Algeria.

The Derby midfielder headed home Liam Lawrence’s 32nd-minute cross and was left dazed as keeper Faouzi Chaouchi connected with a swinging boot as he desperately tried to protect his clean sheet.

In an even first half, the Republic created the only chances of any note with Chaouchi keeping out Kevin Doyle’s third-minute volley.

Teenage defender Greg Cunningham was handed a senior international debut as the Republic of Ireland attempted to claim a second World Cup scalp inside four days.

The 19-year-old Manchester City full-back was handed a start against finalists Algeria after impressing during Giovanni Trapattoni’s end-of-season training camp.

There was a first start too for Derby midfielder Paul Green, who made his bow as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Paraguay on Tuesday evening.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane included debutants Adlane Guedioura, of Wolves, Djamel Mesbah and Habib Ballaid in his starting line-up with England boss Fabio Capello’s lieutenant Franco Baldini expected to be in the crowd ahead of the clash between the two sides in Cape Town on June 18.

Cunningham's inclusion at left-back meant a slot in the middle for John O'Shea alongside Sean St Ledger.

But it was at the other end of the pitch that Ireland almost made the breakthrough with just three minutes gone.

Damien Duff picked himself up after being felled by defender Guedioura and curled the resulting free-kick into the penalty area, where Kevin Doyle got across his man to guide a volley towards goal, but straight at keeper Faouzi Chaouchi.

But Algeria were confident in possession and Portsmouth’s Nadir Belhadj embarked upon an enterprising ninth-minute run down the left, although his foray was eventually snuffed out by force of numbers.

Cunningham had a chance to impress seconds later when he picked up the ball deep inside his own half and sent a raking pass towards Doyle.

The striker twice won out in physical challenges with Ballaid, but his cross was plucked out of the air by Chaouchi above Robbie Keane.

Green made his mark with 13 minutes gone when he got back inside his own penalty area to divert Yazid Mansouri’s cross back to keeper Keiren Westwood after Guedioura had played striker Rafik Djebbour in behind St Ledger.

It took the combined efforts of Stephen Kelly and O’Shea to dispossess the powerful Djebbour as he burst into the box six minutes later with the visitors warming to their task.

Liam Lawrence was handed a chance to play the ball into the danger area after Keane had been unceremoniously barged over by Guedioura with 25 minutes gone.

However, the Stoke midfielder curled his free-kick invitingly into the arms of the waiting Chaouchi.

Belhadj was equally generous seconds later when he handed Westwood the simplest of catches as he attempted to pick out the men in the middle.

However, St Ledger and O’Shea were fully extended to keep out striker Abdelkader Ghezzal two minutes later as he attempted to bring down a high ball inside the penalty area.

In the meantime, Keane had failed to make the most of a loose ball which dropped nicely for him at the other end, his cross from a tight angle evading the green shirts in the middle.

But his side were in front 13 minutes before the break, and it was Green who did the damage.

The midfielder dived bravely to meet Lawrence’s cross from close range, taking a kick in the head from Chaouchi as he did so.

Green left the pitch briefly for treatment, but was able to resume having marked his first international start in style.

Trapattoni was forced into a change with nine minutes of the half remaining when O’Shea limped off to be replaced by Celtic’s Darren O’Dea.

St Ledger had to be at his best four minutes later, timing his challenge superbly to rob Ghezzal deep inside the Irish box.