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25.01.2007 at 19:00 Tolka Park
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Attendance: 650 |
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Rep of Ireland |
0 - 2
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Italy
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Referee: Neil Doyle |
Friendly / TS-match |
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None. |
Caturano 49 min
Fernando 66 min |
David Maguire
Niall Mc Ardle
Paul Honohan
Mark Nolan
Conor Kavanagh
James O'Brien
James Cronesbury
Conor Mc Cormack
Kurtis Byrne
Sean Scannell
Ian Daly
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Fiorillo,
Buono,
Albertazzi,
Tuia,
Rigoni,
Marco,
Caturano,
Nitride,
Fernando,
Masi,
Zamblera. |
Thursday 25th January 2007
Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey used this game to give all of his squad an opportunity of making an impact ahead of the UEFA Elite qualifiers which take place in Germany from March 21-26.
The Republic defeated Italy 1-0 on Tuesday in the first fixture of the week and McCaffrey made six changes to his starting line-up for the rematch.
Ian Daly looked lively up front for Ireland and he nearly latched onto a defence-splitting pass from Sean Scannell after 20 minutes but Masi intercepted the ball and averted the danger.
It was only in the second half that the game sprang to life. Italy took the lead on 49 minutes through Salvatore Caturano when - after seeing his first shot brilliantly saved by Irish goalkeeper David McGuire - the striker seized on the rebounded and blasted the ball home from 12 yards.
The visitors doubled their advantage with 66 minutes gone. Martin Fernando stepped up to take a free-kick on the left-side which glided through a clutch of defenders and past substitute 'keeper Mark McGinley into the far corner of the net.
Substitute Joe O'Neill had a good chance to cut they deficit with seven minutes remaining when he escaped his marker but didn't get enough of a connection on the cross from the left to cause the Italy 'keeper Fiorillo trouble.
Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey must now assess his options before selecting his squad for the European Championship qualifiers in eight weeks time.
Ireland: David McGuire (Shrewsbury Town), Mark Nolan (Glasgow Celtic), Niall McArdle (Sunderland), Paul Honohan (Wilton United), Conor Kavanagh (Blackburn Rovers), Kurtis Byrne ( Norwich City), Conor McCormack (Manchester United), James O'Brien (Birmingham City), James Cronesberry (Middlesborough), Ian Daly (Manchester City), Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace).
SUBS: Shane O'Connor (Liverpool), Eric Foley (Glasgow Celtic), Gareth Matthews (Norwich City) for Kavanagh, Cronesberry and Byrne (All Half-time). Joe O'Neill (Home Farm) for O'Brien (60 mins). Mark McGinley (Glenree) and Craig Duggan (Kilreen Celtic) for Maguire and Scannell (64 mins). Ian Byrne (Bohemians) for Daly (75 mins).
Italy: Fiorillo, Buono (Colombo 62 mins), Albertazzi, Tuia, Rigoni (Grea 48 mins), Marco, Caturano (Ciano 72 mins), Nitride (Pasquale 48 mins), Fernando, Masi, Zamblera (Paloschi Half-time). |
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