Robbie Keane is just one goal away from equalling Niall Quinn's international scoring record after his stunning 45th-minute strike gave a makeshift Republic of Ireland team a surprise but thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory over a disappointing Holland at the Amsterdam ArenA this evening.
The Tottenham striker took advantage of some poor defending as he jinked his way in from the left and unleashed a fierce drive from 20 yards which flew into the bottom right corner as Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar looked on helplessly.
This was meant to be the night Holland gained revenge for the Irish blocking their path to the 2002 World Cup, as a 1-0 victory at Lansdowne Road three years ago helped Mick McCarthy's Ireland finish second in their group to Portugal, with the Dutch in third.
It was also meant to be a party night for the Oranje in front of 45,500 fans in their final warm-up game before heading off to Portugal for Euro 2004. Yet for all their talent - the Dutch starting line-up included the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert, Jaap Stam and Edgar Davids - Holland had to play second fiddle to Ireland's controlled passing game.
In only the third minute a long goal-kick from Shay Given, winning his 60th cap, saw the Dutch defence hesitate and Keane nipped in to hit a volley just wide of the left post. Five minutes later Graham Barrett, the hero against Jamaica on Wednesday night, poked a shot just wide of the same upright after finding himself in a bit of space eight yards out.
Keane went close again when Andy Reid played a short ball to Barrett and he delivered a good cross to the far post. Keane had his back to goal as he controlled the ball and sent in an overhead kick which shaved the top of the crossbar. However, there was to be no stopping Keane as he scored a brilliant goal bang on 45 minutes.
The Dutch defence stood back as he cut inside from the left and unleashed a fierce drive from 20 yards which flew into the bottom right corner to stun the hosts and give Ireland the lead their play had justified.
It was the second time Keane had beaten van der Sar in recent months as he also put a penalty past him when Spurs played away to Fulham last season. His 20th international goal was also at the same end of the impressive stadium as when he scored against Holland in a World Cup qualifier four years ago.
Clinton Morrison is a man who could do with a goal and he was inches away from getting it after 49 minutes as the Dutch defence was again slow to react. Barrett crossed from the right, Kenny Cunningham headed the ball back into the danger zone and his Birmingham team-mate swivelled and hit a left-foot volley which crept just over the bar.
Keane had a good chance to equal Quinn's record in the 53rd minute as he pounced on skipper Phillip Cocu's sloppy back pass. The livewire striker carried the ball into the box but hit a low drive at van der Sar.
If Keane's goal was brilliant then so too was the save from Newcastle's Given which kept Brian Kerr's side ahead after 75 minutes. Johnny Heitinga crossed from the right and fellow substitute Roy Makaay sent in a bullet downward header, but somehow Given threw himself to his left to push the ball out.
It was the turn of van der Sar to come to the rescue after 79 minutes as Stam and Wilfred Bouma got in a muddle on the edge of their six-yard box. The ball almost fell for Keane but the big goalkeeper stuck out a leg to sweep it to safety.
Not even the result was going to spoil the party atmosphere for the home fans in the team's send-off for Euro 2004, but when the final whistle came their whistles again let coach Dick Advocaat know that they expect better in Portugal.
Ireland's win brought to an end a worthwhile 10-day spell in which they beat Romania at Lansdowne Road in Roy Keane's return match, lost to Nigeria but beat Jamaica in the Unity Cup at The Valley, then stunned a strong Dutch team on their own turf.
Kerr's men will now have a well-deserved rest before their next friendly at home to Bulgaria in August - before the serious business begins of trying to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
Result:
Holland 0-1 Rep of Ireland
Keane 45
Republic of Ireland starting XI:
Shay Given, Steve Finnan, Alan Maybury, Andy O'Brien, Kenny Cunningham, Graham Barrett, Alan Quinn, Matt Holland, Andy Reid, Clinton Morrisson, Robbie Keane.
Subs: Alan Lee on for Morrison 83mins, Michael Doyle on for Reid 88mins.
Holland starting XI:
Edwin van der Sar, Michael Reiziger, Jaap Stam, Wilfred Bouma, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder, Philip Cocu, Rafael van der Vaart, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Subs: Clarence Seedorf for Kluivert 46mins, Andy van der Meyde for Sneijder 46mins, Johnny Heitinga for Reiziger 46mins, Paul Bosvelt for Seedorf 63mins, Roy Makaay for van Nistelrooy 66mins, Arjen Robben for Davids 66mins, Pierre van Hooijdonk for Bouma 84mins.
Attendance: 45,500
Filed by Shane Murray
