Reid Stands Out
By Ade O`Connor November 20 2003
The Republic of Ireland accomplished their mission, beating Canada 3-0, but perhaps more encouraging was the arrival onto the international stage of Andy Reid. Maybe even unknown to some Irish fans before the game, all left talking about the exciting emergence of this youngster.
By Ade O`Connor November 20 2003
The Republic of Ireland accomplished their mission, beating Canada 3-0, but perhaps more encouraging was the arrival onto the international stage of Andy Reid. Maybe even unknown to some Irish fans before the game, all left talking about the exciting emergence of this youngster.
Forgive my “I told you so!” moment, but this website has long touted the call up of Andy Reid, and boy did he prove our point! Starting in a central midfield role, the Forest player dazzled with his through balls and the ease of which he fitted into the set up.
If only poor Graham Kavanagh had more than 9 minutes on the field, maybe he too would have made an impact. Marc Bircham’s challenge say Kavanagh limp off with an ankle injury, after a call up following 4 years absense from the team.
Although in fairness, it was a poor game, littered with the odd magical Duff moment, such as the 70-yard run wonder goal to open the scoring after 23 minutes.
Andy Reid fed him the ball on the edge of Ireland’s box, Duff then ran towards the half way line, with the defence retreating to their own box and three players marking Robbie Keane’s dummy run; Duff skinned one for pace, nutmegged another, before a cool finish under the keeper.
Canada were in no mood to give up though, pressuring the Irish into mistakes at the back, Radzinski on another day may have taken advantage of the lapses in concentration.
Nevertheless, Ireland made it to half time still a goal up, when Brian Kerr introduced Clinton Morrison and Ian Harte to add some extra spice to the game.
It took 15 minutes more for Ireland to kill the match off with a second goal. Andy Reid put in a perfect cross from the by-line, with Robbie Keane waiting on the six-yard box to nod it home. Despite the desperate efforts of the Canadians to clear it off the line, the assistant referee adjudged a goal had been scored.
Andy Reid and Robbie Keane seemingly building up an understanding, following a number of good through balls into the path of Keane from Reid in the first half.
As more and more substitutions rolled on, the game lost all sense of direction, only to be topped off with Robbie Keane’s 2nd of the night – and 18th of his international career – after an insightful long throw from Rory Delap.
The Republic of Ireland ending a dark year with a clear sense of light at the end of the tunnel, going to Portugal we may not be, but things are looking good for qualifying for World Cup 2006, a crop of young talent and the coming of age of others contributing to a good future.
Liam Miller was not available for selection in this game, due to injury, but he is yet another youngster who is set for a big future and most probably in the Irish starting line up.
Given the extended preparation time, it is the ideal opportunity for Kerr to play the team he expects will be competing at the World Cup 2006, including the likes of Andy Reid, Liam Miller and John Thompson.
Matt Holland and Mark Kinsella have been great servants for Ireland, and their experience may be required in the future, but these friendlies really need to blood young players and give them every chance of gaining a first team place.
For the first time in ages, the centre of the Irish midfield looked dangerous, it looked like it could puncture the Canadians with a well timed through ball, or a bit of skill to throw a few men out of the game.
Andy Reid really demonstrated what the team has been missing, a creative influence in the centre of the park. Partnering himself and Liam Miller in the centre, with Sean Thornton chomping at their ankles with every chance of taking over, is surely the way forward for Irish football.
Damien Duff and Robbie Keane are ready to take on responsibility and lead the Irish forward, Duff has matured and grown since his big move to Chelsea and scoring goals now seems second nature to Keane.
Perhaps what is needed more than anything is a real general, a leader and a figurehead. Kenny Cunningham is again a good player and an able captain, but a commanding and driving influence, he may not be.
As much as Roy Keane is a traitor to the country and to Irish football, he would have never let the performance in Switzerland happen. You can bet that he would shout, roar and lead by example to get his team to step up to the plate, and challenge for a qualifying place.
Instead, the game passed the Irish by, without much fight or inspiration, we wilted and failed miserably. One point from the twelve available against Russia and Switzerland simply is not good enough, even with the weaker teams doing us favours we still didn’t take advantage.
I don’t blame Brian Kerr for that, but he must learn from the mistakes that were made in the past and look to build from them. Kerr has a fine football brain and he is a wise man, if he can demonstrate the bravery to make decisions based on his knowledge, then Irish football will flourish.
Kerr has the public’s backing; we as a nation believe that he is leading Ireland to a better future on the football field.
If only poor Graham Kavanagh had more than 9 minutes on the field, maybe he too would have made an impact. Marc Bircham’s challenge say Kavanagh limp off with an ankle injury, after a call up following 4 years absense from the team.
Although in fairness, it was a poor game, littered with the odd magical Duff moment, such as the 70-yard run wonder goal to open the scoring after 23 minutes.
Andy Reid fed him the ball on the edge of Ireland’s box, Duff then ran towards the half way line, with the defence retreating to their own box and three players marking Robbie Keane’s dummy run; Duff skinned one for pace, nutmegged another, before a cool finish under the keeper.
Canada were in no mood to give up though, pressuring the Irish into mistakes at the back, Radzinski on another day may have taken advantage of the lapses in concentration.
Nevertheless, Ireland made it to half time still a goal up, when Brian Kerr introduced Clinton Morrison and Ian Harte to add some extra spice to the game.
It took 15 minutes more for Ireland to kill the match off with a second goal. Andy Reid put in a perfect cross from the by-line, with Robbie Keane waiting on the six-yard box to nod it home. Despite the desperate efforts of the Canadians to clear it off the line, the assistant referee adjudged a goal had been scored.
Andy Reid and Robbie Keane seemingly building up an understanding, following a number of good through balls into the path of Keane from Reid in the first half.
As more and more substitutions rolled on, the game lost all sense of direction, only to be topped off with Robbie Keane’s 2nd of the night – and 18th of his international career – after an insightful long throw from Rory Delap.
The Republic of Ireland ending a dark year with a clear sense of light at the end of the tunnel, going to Portugal we may not be, but things are looking good for qualifying for World Cup 2006, a crop of young talent and the coming of age of others contributing to a good future.
Liam Miller was not available for selection in this game, due to injury, but he is yet another youngster who is set for a big future and most probably in the Irish starting line up.
Given the extended preparation time, it is the ideal opportunity for Kerr to play the team he expects will be competing at the World Cup 2006, including the likes of Andy Reid, Liam Miller and John Thompson.
Matt Holland and Mark Kinsella have been great servants for Ireland, and their experience may be required in the future, but these friendlies really need to blood young players and give them every chance of gaining a first team place.
For the first time in ages, the centre of the Irish midfield looked dangerous, it looked like it could puncture the Canadians with a well timed through ball, or a bit of skill to throw a few men out of the game.
Andy Reid really demonstrated what the team has been missing, a creative influence in the centre of the park. Partnering himself and Liam Miller in the centre, with Sean Thornton chomping at their ankles with every chance of taking over, is surely the way forward for Irish football.
Damien Duff and Robbie Keane are ready to take on responsibility and lead the Irish forward, Duff has matured and grown since his big move to Chelsea and scoring goals now seems second nature to Keane.
Perhaps what is needed more than anything is a real general, a leader and a figurehead. Kenny Cunningham is again a good player and an able captain, but a commanding and driving influence, he may not be.
As much as Roy Keane is a traitor to the country and to Irish football, he would have never let the performance in Switzerland happen. You can bet that he would shout, roar and lead by example to get his team to step up to the plate, and challenge for a qualifying place.
Instead, the game passed the Irish by, without much fight or inspiration, we wilted and failed miserably. One point from the twelve available against Russia and Switzerland simply is not good enough, even with the weaker teams doing us favours we still didn’t take advantage.
I don’t blame Brian Kerr for that, but he must learn from the mistakes that were made in the past and look to build from them. Kerr has a fine football brain and he is a wise man, if he can demonstrate the bravery to make decisions based on his knowledge, then Irish football will flourish.
Kerr has the public’s backing; we as a nation believe that he is leading Ireland to a better future on the football field.
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