Ireland 3-0 Algeria: Robbie Keane Powers Hosts Past Toothless Desert Foxes

Posted Saturday, May 29, 2010 by Goal.com

The Irish cruised to an easy victory in Dublin...

The Republic of Ireland picked up their second victory in a row over a World Cup bound side as they defeated Algeria 3-0 at the RDS Arena in Dublin.

The home side wasted no time attacking their guests as John O'Shea's long ball found Damien Duff in behind the Algerian defence and Andre Guedioura was forced to take the winger down. The ensuing free kick was met first time by Kevin Doyle and his crisp volley was well saved by Algeria goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi.

Robbie Keane had a half-chance in the 15th minute when he took the ball down in Algeria's penalty area but his weak chip failed to fool Chaouchi who made a routine save.

Duff was a nuisance in the early going and he tried his luck from 22 yards but his shot rolled harmlessly wide.

Rabah Saadane's side were not overmatched by any means in the early going but they were in no hurry to push forward and it took them until the 27th minute to win their first corner of the match.

Ireland finally found the goal they were looking for just after the half hour mark when Kevin Doyle's free kick delivery was met by Paul Green whose diving header from close range left Chaouchi with no chance.

It was a deserved opener for the Boys in Green but they let their guard down moments later as Abdelkader Ghezzal beat the offside trap and was in the clear until Sean St. Ledger made a vital sliding tackle that robbed the Siena man of a golden goalscoring opportunity.

The hosts had to defend a set piece just before the break and Kieren Westwood showed safe hands to nullify the danger and Ireland went into the interval with a one goal lead.

Giovanni Trapattoni's men quickly doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half as Duff beat his marker on the left flank and sent in a cross that Chaouchi punched in the path of Keane. The captain coolly lifted the ball over the stranded 'keeper much to delight of the Irish faithful.

Algeria looked like a beaten side and almost conceded a third only moments later when Doyle raced free and clear but Habib Bellaid made a vital tackle to keep the match from getting out of hand.

It was all Ireland at this point and Keane had two excellent opportunities to add to his goal tally. Doyle's flick sent the captain through and his left-footed shot from 12-yards was beaten away by Chaouchi. Less than a minute later Keane was again played through but this time his close range shot came back off the post.

The home side then took their foot off the gas pedal and invited the Desert Foxes to attack and they came close in the 84th minute when Guedioura rose the highest and powered a header that rattled the crossbar.

But it was to be Ireland's night as only seconds later Keane got in behind the Algerian defence and was pulled down by Djamel Mesbah. The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot and Keane sent Chaouchi the wrong way to put the match to bed.

Ireland showed once again that they are World Cup material but will have to settle on watching the South African jamboree on television while Algeria are left to lick their wounds after their second consecutive 3-0 drubbing.