Ireland have deservedly beaten Iran 2-0 in the first leg of the World Cup playoff. Goals in each half from Leeds United duo Ian Harte and Robbie Keane secured a precious win that leaves manager Mick McCarthy's side favourites to claim a ticket to Japan and South Korea going into Thursday's second leg in Tehran.
Although Ireland were the better side, dominating the game from the outset, Iran posed enough of a threat to cause several sleepless nights ahead of the second leg. Tellingly, goalkeeper Shay Given won the man of the match award for several superb point blank saves from the impressive Karimi. It was a competent performance from the Republic, but McCarthy has refused to get carried away. "I never come in smiling and joking when it's 2-0 at half time, and that's what it is," he warned.
Ian Harte opened the scoring for Ireland just before half time with a well-taken penalty after Jason McAteer was hauled down by a rash challenge from Rahman Rezaei. Neither side created many goalscoring chances in a scrappy first half, but Ireland deserved their lead. Ireland struggled to break down the well-organised Iranian defence, while goalkeeper Mirzapour shrugged off an erratic start which saw him miss several straightforward punches to produce a confident display, notably saving at Staunton's feet.
Five minutes after the break, Robbie Keane made it 2-0 with a left footer. The impressive McAteer swung in an inviting ball which fell to the Leeds striker, who skilfully adjusted his posture to rifle the ball into the Iranian net. The game opened up after the second goal, with Iran chasing a precious away goal. Chances fell to both sides, with Karemi twice going close. In the 55th minute, he was clear through on goal but Given raced off his goal line to dive at the Iranian striker's feet to prevent an almost certain goal. Two minutes later, Karemi opened up the Irish defence with a mazy run but Given came to the rescue again. Five minutes from the end, Bagheri missed a great chance for Iran. He chested the ball down on the edge of the area to put himself in the clear away from Harte, but the resulting shot drifted feebly wide.
McCarthy paid tribute to a "very well-organised" Iranian team. "(Iran) came with a game plan, with five at the back and three in the middle - even Ali Daei was tackling. It was going to be hard to break them down but to get the opportunity just before half-time relaxed us all. We worked hard for an hour then some of our lads got leg-weary," said the Ireland manager.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
