Saviour Keane to the rescue

13 April 2012

Robbie Keane scored a 92nd-minute equaliser against Germany today to put the Republic of Ireland within touching distance of the knockout stages.

After draws against Cameroon and Germany, Mick McCarthy's side now have an excellent chance of reaching the second phase by winning their final game against Saudi Arabia next Tuesday.

The Irish fans cheered manager McCarthy off the pitch after Keane - Robbie, not the absent but unmissed Roy - latched on to a flick-on from substitute Niall Quinn deep into injury time to beat Germany keeper Oliver Kahn.

Keane's 11th international goal was no more than the Republic deserved after McCarthy threw caution to the wind as his side battled to cancel out Miroslav Klose's 19th-minute opener at the Kashima Stadium.

McCarthy said: "We gave the Germans a right good doing out there. There is a myth about the German team and I think we proved that. We battered them and we thoroughly deserved the draw.

"I told the players at halftime that there was no point beating the Germans at football and losing the match.

"They took that on board and they delivered. It would have been an injustice if we had been beaten 1-0. Aside from the first 20 minutes we were the better side, even the Germans will have to admit that."

Chasing the game, McCarthy introduced Sunderland's Quinn and Millwall's Steven Reid and went to a back three in the 70th minute.

The gamble paid off when Keane finished superbly past Kahn after Quinn had flicked on Fulham defender Steve Finnan's long ball.

McCarthy, who will watch the Saudis against Cameroon tomorrow, added: "It was a great time to score the equaliser, there was just no way back for Germany. I had to take the chance when I put Niall and Steven on and went to three at the back. We had to take the risk because there was no point going out of the tournament without a fight.

"Quinny did just what I put him on for. I discussed it with Niall at half-time, told him what we needed to get a goal and he did it for us,

"Then Robbie kept his side of the bargain. Centreforwards are judged on goals, and Robbie has scored a vital one. I actually thought it had hit the post but it counted and I am just so happy for the players and for the fans. There were thousands here again, we love them and we gave them something to shout about. We have given ourselves a great chance now of making the second phase, I could not have asked for any more. I told the players to keep the group alive in the dressing-room before the game and they have delivered. We have played the hardest two games and we have two points in the bag."

And McCarthy led the praise for Irish captain Steve Staunton, presented with a watch to mark his 100th cap before the game. "The spirit in the camp was typified for me when Steven Reid, the youngest player in the squad, presented the watch to Steve Staunton at the pre-match meal. A hundred caps is a great achievement and he was magnificent again today."

Irish scorer Keane said: "I thought we were never going to get the ball past Kahn. It was a great flick from Niall and I was lucky the ball came off the inside of the post."

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Saviour Keane to the rescue

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