Filed under: Euro 2012, Football, Match Reports
Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland side will go into next month's crucial Euro 2012 qualifiers against Slovakia and Russia on the back of five successive clean sheets.They could have transformed the draw into a confidence-boosting victory, however, had Richard Dunne made more of a great opportunity to break the deadlock in a tight, if uninspiring match, when he headed wide in the 73rd minute.
Chances were limited at both ends although Croatia were convinced they had two legitimate early penalty appeals while the energetic Irish forward pairing of Shane Long and Robbie Keane made life uncomfortable at times for Slaven Bilic's side.
HIGHLIGHTS:
13 mins: Glenn Whelan grappled with Eduardo at a Croatia corner and was fortunate the referee ignored the visitors' claims for a penalty.
15 mins: An even stronger claim for a penalty, this time when Stephen Kelly held back Ivan Strinic as the left back attempted to meet an well-weighted chip from Luka Modric.
24 mins: First clear chance for the home side felt to Long who rose between two defenders but directed a header too close to keeper Stipe Pletikosa
56 mins: Dejan Lovren should have done much better than volley wide from close range from Dario Srna's free kick.
73 mins: Dunne was unmarked and just six yards out when he met Sean St Ledger's cross but wasted a glorious opportunity by heading wide.
REACTION:
Long told Sky Sports 3 believes the game will set the Irish up for the more important business ahead:
"It was a tough test. We knew they would have a lot of possession and we would try and hit them on the break. So it's a good run out for the lads ahead of the two big games coming up.
"We are having a great year as a team. We are in good form coming into the two big games."
On his hectic week after joining West Bromwich Albion:
"It's been an exciting week. Now I'm just looking forward to Sunday, it's straight in at the deep end against Man United. I'm looking forward to playing for West Brom.
"I feel okay and I'll be raring to go when Sunday comes."
On the coming qualifiers:
"We have Slovakia at home and if we can get three points there it will set us up for Russia and have a good run in. They have to play each in the group so if we can get four points we will have done very well."
WHAT IT MEANS:
Trapattoni's side are developing a solid foundation and are clearly difficult to break down but they must find a more effective cutting edge for the coming qualifiers. The return of Kevin Doyle will help but the partnership of Long and Keane showed enough to suggest that will more support from midfield, they can cause problems. Overall, this was a positive display that will breed confidence and satisfy the manager progress continues to be made.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 0 CROATIA 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Republic of Ireland (4-4-2): Given 6 (Westwood 6, 64); Kelly 6, Dunne 7, St. Ledger 8, Ward 6; Duff 8 (Treacy 6, 83), Whelan 6 (O'Dea 6,73), Gibson 7, Hunt 6 (Keogh 6,64); Long 9 (Cox 6, 83), Keane 7.
Subs (not used): Forde, Clark, Clifford.
Croatia (4-5-1): Pletikosa 6; Corluka 6 (Vrsaljko 6,73), Lovren 6, Simunic 6, Strinic 7; Srna 7, Modric 8, Vukojevic 7 (Dujmovic 6, 86), Kranjcar 6 (Ilicevic 6,64), Mandzukic 6 (Kalinic 6,73); Eduardo 5 (Olic 6,46).
Subs (not used): Subasic, Schildenfeld, Pranjic, Petric, , Perisic
ATTENDANCE: Tbc
NEXT UP:
- Republic of Ireland v Slovakia (home), Euro 2012 qualifier 0209, 1945 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Shane Long (Republic of Ireland): The striker's energy and willingness to run beyond the Croatia backline caused problems although he should have done better with a first half header.
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