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Kevin Quinlan
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Soccer Ireland raise the bar in Bari Ireland’s
fighting spirit shone through in Bari as Trapattoni’s gambles pay off
to earn a draw against the World Champions. Italy had been down to ten
men as soon as the second minute as Giampaolo Pazzini was harshly sent
off for an elbow into the face of John O’Shea. Italy took the lead
however eight minutes later when Grosso capitalized on some lack
defending to the pull the ball back to Iaquinta to tap home. Ireland
then took control of the ball and created enough chances to win the
game. But it took Trapattoni’s side until the three minutes from time
to equalize when Robbie Keane latched upon Caleb Folan’s header to
finish past Buffon. Keane could have won it in injury time but in the
end the Group 8 leaders shared the spoils. The sending off looked harsh on the Italians however with little intent to be seen in young Sampdoria striker’s challenge. But Italy responded better to the incident with Pirlo chipping a ball over the heads of Keogh and McShane for Lyon full-back Grosso and following some poor defending from the right-hand pairing, Grosso got to the byline and pull the ball back to Iaquinta who tapped home from five yards out. Ireland replied with a Stephen Hunt run down the left, flying past Zambrotta before being dispossessed by Chiellini. Trapattoni then made the first move in the managerial chess game, removing Keogh for Hull’s Caleb Folan. Folan made an instant impact, the Italian defence failing to cope with his height and physicality. Ireland took control of proceedings from then on, a welcome change to the traveling support used to seeing the Irish players chasing the ball instead of passing it around with confidence. Trapattoni’s pre-match system was completely reshuffled with Robbie Keane dropping deep to dictate Irish play. Ireland then created chances, Andrew’s miskick on the edge of the box the best chance of the opening half-hour. Italy nearly made it two after 32 minutes when Grosso lifted over a cross which Given stretched to tip away from Iaquinta but Pepe hit the follow-up into the side-netting from a difficult angle. With five minutes to half time Hunt brought a magnificent save from Buffon after he collected the ball on edge of the area. Hunt took the ball Houghton-esque controlling the ball on his chest before hitting a ferocious left foot volley above Buffon who managed to turn the ball over. Ireland went into the break with their tails up and confidence oozing from each player but unable to break down the Italian defence mastered by Cannavaro. The tactical battle continued after the interval with O’Shea swapping with McShane and Pirlo, who was starved of possession all night, made way for Angelo Palombo. But it was clear it was the players not the mangers that would win the game, with Ireland throwing themselves into tackles, all players looking for the ball and charging down the opposition looking to force the Italians into mistakes. Italy won their first corner of the match seven minutes into the half and from the play Italy threatened the goal but Ireland cleared. Darren Gibson then came on for Andrews while Pepe made way for Liverpool’s Dossena. These substitutions for Ireland completely different from what we have seen from Trapattoni so far, with each sub made by Trapattoni before the game getting an average of five minutes each. Ireland continued to pressurize the Italian rearguard and Stephen Hunt thought he had won a penalty when he was brought down by Buffon but the referee waved play-on. Stephen’s younger brother Noel then came on for Doyle who was well marshaled by Cannavaro all night. The following fifteen minutes consisted of hard tackling and a booking for Grosso and McShane. Noel Hunt then a glorious opportunity to equalize for Ireland when Gibson’s low ball into the six-yard area was missed by Hunt as he was appeared to be held by Cannavaro. Another two yellow cards for Italy followed before a great run by Iaquinta and equally good ball from the right narrowly missed Dossena. Keane then got behind the Italian defence but Kilbane’s shot from his layoff was deflected over. With three minutes remaining Given had the ball midway between his box and the halfway line. The Man City keeper delivered a long ball downfield which wasn’t dealt with by Italy and Folan headed the ball across the six-yard box for Robbie Keane to score his 38th international goal. Cue mass Irish celebration and indeed the visitors nearly snatched all three points when Whelan’s shot was deflected over and another Given long ball and Folan header gave Robbie Keane to win it but the ball wouldn’t come down fast enough and the captain shinned his effort over the bar. But ten-man Italy survived the late scare and stay atop of Group 8 by two points but Ireland will take massive confidence from their play going into their crunch game with Bulgaria in Sofia in June, though Trapattoni responded to whether the match would persuade him to abandon his negative tactics with a clear “No.” Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Brighi, De Rossi, Pirlo(Palombo 45), Pepe(Dossena 55), Pazzini, Iaquinta(Quagliarella 88). Ireland: Given, McShane, Dunne, O'Shea, Kilbane, Keogh(Folan 22), Whelan, Andrews(Gibson 54), S. S. Hunt, Doyle(N. Hunt 62), Keane.
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