Steve Finnan bagged an injury-time equaliser as a disappointing Republic of Ireland side were held to a 1-1 draw by Cyprus.

Stelios Okkarides stole in to head home what looked to be the winning goal ten minutes from time, though full-back Steve Finnan pounced on a knock-down in the area to lash home an emphatic equaliser deep in injury-time.

The goal did little to pacify the frustration of the Irish fans however, who greeted the full-time whistle with a chorus of jeers, and speculation is sure to grow over the future of manager Steve Staunton.

The huge gaps in the crowd in Dublin's cavernous Croke Park stadium were evidence of the Ireland fans attitude toward their team's poor qualifying campaign thus far, though those who did turn up saw their side make a positive start.

An outswinging free-kick from Andy Reid caused chaos in the Cypriot defence in the opening minute, before Kevin Doyle fed Robbie Keane in the area moments later, only to have the ball fired straight back at his chest.

Reid was again the source of inspiration as he picked out a fine run in toward the near post from Doyle, though the Reading man's cross went untouched across the face of goal and away to safety.

Cyprus just about managed to weather the early storm, and it was not until the half-hour mark that Ireland genuinely tested &lsquokeeper Antonis Georgallides. On this occasion, Finnan stormed forward on the counter-attack down the right flank and flighted in a fine ball for Keane in the centre of the area, though he could only place his header straight at Georgallides who gathered gratefully.

Richard Dunne had hitherto marshalled his defence admirably, though they were almost caught out twice in quick succession. First a quick free-kick sent Yiasoumis Yiasoumi through on goal and Shay Given was forced into a fine save, before the same player saw a header whistle narrowly past the post after being picked out unmarked at the back post by Nikos Charalambidis.

The Cypriots again threatened towards the end of the half as Stephen Hunt gave the ball away in midfield, though despite having three men in support and only Dunne to beat, Marios Nikolaou elected to try to chip Given and got his angles all wrong.

Yiannis Okkas went close to breaking the deadlock just a few minutes after the break, though pushed his shot onto the post after racing clear of Paul McShane.

Stephen Hunt then headed wide when unmarked just yards out, before Keane managed the same feat from Doyle's fine cross with 15 minutes to go.

Cyprus were set to do the double on the Irish thanks to Okkarides' fine header on 80 minutes, though Finnan struck late to earn his side a point, and maybe save his manager's job for the time being.

San Marino 1-2 Wales

Wales claimed a nervy 2-1 victory over San Marino after a poor second half performance almost allowed their opponents to claim a famous draw.

With manager John Toshack's recent criticisms no doubt ringing in their ears, Wales began the game with real intent, zipping the ball around quickly in front of the San Marino back four.

They went in front after 13 minutes; Earnshaw running onto Bellamy's through-ball and sweeping the ball home from 12 yards.

Wales pressed continually throughout the first half, with Bellamy's movement and willing running causing plenty of problems. They were two up after half an hour when Joe Ledley slotted home into an empty net to claim his first international goal.

Welsh spirits were high at half-time, but the expected avalanche of goals failed to materialise. Wales once again dominated possession, but just could not find their rhythm, and after 73 minutes Andy Selva halved the deficit with a well-taken free-kick.

Whatever momentum San Marino had was then lost amidst a flurry of substitutions and cautions, and Nicola Albani was shown a second yellow card with five minutes to go for a needless handball.

Wales held out for the three points, but the ragged nature of the second half performance did little to alleviate the pressure on their beleaguered manager.

Germany 0-3 Czech Republic

Czech Republic secured a place at Euro 2008 when they thumped already-qualified Germany 3-0 in Group D on Wednesday.

Libor Sionko gave the Czechs a perfect start when he tapped the opening goal past Timo Hildebrand in the second minute at the Allianz Arena.

Marek Matejovsky gave the visitors breathing space with a well taken second in the 23rd minute and Jaroslav Plasil capped an outstanding display, individually and collectively, with the third in the 63rd minute.

Germany had become the first country to qualify for the finals in Austria and Switzerland with a draw in Ireland on Saturday and offered precious little in response.

The result left the two teams with 23 points from 10 games and ended the qualifying hopes of Ireland and Cyprus.

Michael FitzGerald & Tom Williams & Reuters / Eurosp