By Ade O`Connor
June 7 2003

An injury time winner saw the Republic of Ireland keep their qualifying campaign on track, as a late own goal by Adrian Aliaj broke Albanian hearts. Ireland originally took the lead from the early going, only to be pegged back within two minutes by an Eastern European equaliser. Only six minutes had passed when Carr’s header back into the box found Robbie Keane in a bit of space, the Tottenham striker wasted no time in firing past the Albanian keeper.

This was the perfect start for Ireland, an early goal and being on top from the off, Kerr must have fancied his men to build on the lead.

Though the opposition had other plans for the afternoon, Ervin Skela made use of the room gifted to him inside the Irish box, before firing to the left of Shay Given. Suddenly all Ireland’s hard early work had gone to waste.

Nevertheless, the Irish plugged away at their plucky counterparts. Robbie Keane went close on a number of occasions, only to be denied by an exceptional defensive tackle or a fine piece of goalkeeping.

The Irish approach was methodical, as Duff won plenty of free kicks on the flanks, the Albanian defence finding him a tough proposition to mark. However the Albanian game plan was not high on etiquette, going down easily on a number of occasions, attempt to get Irish players booked and feigning injury.

David Connolly, desperate to score on a rare competitive start, provided good support for Keane, setting him up after 24 minutes. Strakosha pulled off an impressive save; Kilbane fluffed an attempt at goal minutes later as Ireland pressed forward.

Half time came and went without any changes to the teams, 52 minutes had passed when a beautifully timed challenge from Cipi denied Robbie Keane of his second goal of the match.

Albania were not spent as an attacking force either, having a penalty appeal turned down for hand ball against Steven Carr, and worryingly exposing the blaze Irish defence on a couple of occasions.

Kerr then changed the focus of the Irish attack, bringing on Lee Carsley to work in the midfield, shortly followed by target man Gary Doherty. Yet the Albanians refused to loosen their grip on a point at Lansdowne Road.

More changes came as Kerr replaced Kilbane with Steven Reid, in what seemed to be a last throw of the dice. Strakosha, who had been having a good game in between the posts for Albania, was forced to go off with what seemed to be double vision. Beqaj took his place.

The fresh goalkeeper had a baptism of fire, as Duff attempted to chip the keeper. The ball floated and floated, then dropped agonisingly close to the post, still no winner for the Irish. Duff was not to finish the game; a hamstring injury flaring up, meaning the Republic was left to compete a man light.

Cipi again proved to be the best of the Albanian defenders, making another stunning covering tackle as Robbie Keane looked set to pull the trigger.

Just as it looked like all hopes of an Ireland victory, and indeed a trip to Portugal next summer, were dead and buried, Gary Doherty struck a left footed shot across the goal.

Adrian Aliaj the unfortunate man to stick the ball in his own net, though Robbie Keane was lurking should he have not played the ball.

Lansdowne Road erupted with euphoria as the goal that had been needed from so early on in the game finally arrived, 3 minutes into stoppage time. It was just left for Ireland to eek out the last few drops of energy and close the game out.

As the final whistle sounded, Brian Kerr began congratulating his men on a hard working display, which eventually reaped the rewards in the closing stages.

Although Robbie Keane was special all afternoon, being on the end of every Irish chance, I felt that Steven Carr had a great game at right back. The Tottenham defender proved sound going forward and reliable at the back. Carr can now build on this performance to mount a challenge on next seasons Premiership.

Ireland now face Georgia in another must win tie, with Russia and Switzerland playing each other later this evening, Ireland’s chances of making it to Euro 2004 look greatly improved.

Republic of Ireland:

Given; Carr, Breen, Cunningham, O'Shea; Holland, Kinsella, Kilbane; Duff; Connolly, Keane.

Substitutions: Carsley on for Kinsella (56 mins), Doherty on for Connolly (65 mins), Reid on for Kilbane (76 mins).

Booked: Carr, Kinsella


Albania:

Strakosha; Beqiri, Cipi, Aliaj; Duro, Lala, Hasi, Skela, Murati; Tare, Rraklli.

Substitutions: Bellaj on for Murati (58 mins), Beqaj on for Strakosha (77 mins), Myrtaj on for Rraklli (84 mins).

Booked: Lala, Beqiri, Cipi