Socceroos 3 – 0 Ireland

The Socceroos put up a blistering display to shock Ireland 3-0 in Limerick overnight. Two goals by Timmy Cahill, backed up by a wonder striker from David Carney was enough to see off a spirited Irish challenge.

In their first match since attaining their highest FIFA ranking of sixteen, the Socceroos showed all the class and aptitude to support their lofty status. The Socceroos’ famed defence again stood strong, shutting out quality players such as Robbie Keane, Darren Gibson, Kevin Doyle, and Damien Duff. However, it was the effectiveness of our offence which was so pleasantly surprising. A defensive unit comprising of Shay Given, John O’Shea and Richard Dunne was expected to be difficult to break down, but Pim’s men discharged all the boring football claims and Cahill shut the home side out with two goals in seven minutes towards the end of the first half.

With Lucas Neill still clubless and out of match practice, Schwarzer was given the armband, and he was protected by a fairly inexperienced backline of Rhys Williams, David Carney, Jade North and Patrick Kisnorbo. The midfield quintet comprised of Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano, Luke Wilkshire, Mile Jedinak, and of course the goal scoring sergeant Cahill. Scott McDonald again led the line, but once again he has failed to break his international duck, although he came close midway through the first half, only for Given to recover well after blocking a Kisnorbo header.

Despite not scoring, Macca did wonderfully to set up Cahill, holding the ball up nicely and picking out a pin point lay off through a sea of legs for the Everton hitman to pounce. Cahill backed up minutes later after Given did well to block a powerful Williams’ shot, only for the rebound to land at Cahill’s feet, which he duly smashed home with aplomb. The Socceroos had to weather a second half storm of Irish attacks, but after several near misses and shots against the post, Carney wrapped up the game in spectaular fashion, launching one of his trademark long range bombs to leave the Irish keeper flapping at air.

It was a thoroughly satisfying display by the Green and Gold, away against a side who is currently second in their World Cup Qualifying Group behind Italy. Italian coach Giovanni Trappattoni may have rekindled the fire in Irish football in the time he’s taken over, but the Socceroos proved to be the wet blanket for him as they totally dominated today’s proceedings.