Ireland’s World Cup campaign got off to an encouraging start today as they battled back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw with Cameroon.
The African champions dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead in the 39th minute through Patrick Mboma. But Ireland regrouped at half-time and tore into the second half with renewed vigour and, in the 53rd minute, Matt Holland pulled the sides level with a fabulous low strike from 30 yards.
Ireland had launched into the game with a gusto which suggested Roy Keane’s absence would serve as a surprise stimulus; but the Cameroonians quickly showed themselves to be fitter and slicker and once they gained the ascendancy, they didn’t look like relinquishing it.
The speed and trickiness of strikers Samuel Eto’o and Mboma troubled the Irish centre-backs from the outset, and when Cameroon eventually scored, these two were almost inevitably the architects. Eto’o received the ball in the box and danced past Staunton before pulling the ball back to the edge of the 6-yard box, from where Mboma slapped it emphatically into the net.
Ireland almost equalised just before half-time when Rigobert Song nearly diverted a low Ian Harte free-kick into his own net, but keeper Alioum saved his captain’s blushes with an athletic dive.
But Mick McCarthy’s men seemed to undergo a metamorphosis at half-time; when they emerged for the second period, with Steve Finnan on instead of the ineffectual Jason McAteer, they increased the tempo and hurtled repeatedly forward.
In the 53rd minute came the equaliser that had looked so improbable in the first half. Kevin Kilbane, who toiled tirelessly all match, sent a weak cross into the box, which burly defender Raymond Kalla nodded clear; but Holland recreated his famous Portugal strike by hitting a rasping half-volley into the bottom corner form 35 yards, and sending the vociferous Irish support into raptures.
Many expected a Cameroonian backlash, but it was Ireland who looked the more menacing for the remainder of the match, and, indeed, they were unlucky not to snatch a victory. Robbie Keane came closest to grabbing a win, when he curled a fine shot from the edge of the box off the upright in the 83rd minute.
Substitute Steven Reid also flirted with glory, when he stung the ‘keeper’s hand with 30 yarder.
When the Japanese referee blew the final whistle, it was the reigning African and Olympic champions who looked the more relieved.
Ireland(4-4-2): 1-Shay Given; 18-Gary Kelly, 14-Gary Breen, 5-Steve Staunton, 3-Ian Harte; 7-Jason McAteer, 8-Matt Holland, 12-Mark Kinsella, 11-Kevin Kilbane; 9-Damien Duff, 10-Robbie Keane
Cameroon(4-4-2): 1-Boukar Alioum; 2-Bill Tchato, 5-Raymond Kalla, 4-Rigobert Song, 8-Geremi; 12-Lauren, 17-Marc-Vivien Foe, 20-Salomon Olembe, 3-Pierre Wome; 9-Samuel Eto'o, 10-Patrick Mboma
Referee: Toru Kamikawa (Japan)
Linesmen: Mat Lazim Awang Hamat (Malaysia), Roland van Nylen (Belgium)