Int Football - Trapattoni run ends with Poland loss

Eurosport - Thu, 20 Nov 10:23:00 2008

Giovanni Trapattoni's unbeaten start as Republic of Ireland boss ended as Poland claimed a 3-2 victory in a friendly at Croke Park.

FOOTBALL; Poland's Pawel Brozek (L) vies for the ball with Ireland's Paul McShane, Nov 2008 - AFP/Getty - 0

The home side trailed 2-0 with just two minutes of normal time remaining before a crazy spell of three goals in as many minutes.

Stephen Hunt's 88th minute penalty gave Ireland hope of maintaining their unbeaten run, although Robert Lewandowski lashed in Poland's third seconds later to seemingly seal the result.

However, substitute Keith Andrews blasted through a crowd on 90 minutes to make the score 3-2 and lift the crowd again, although Poland held on to hand Trapattoni his first defeat in seven games.

Ireland got off to a poor start when some slack marking at a free-kick allowed Mariusz Lewandowski to find space in front of John O'Shea to flick Lukasz Gargula's inswinging free-kick beyond the dive of Shay Given and into the far corner.

But the home side responded well, Damien Duff firing over the bar within two minutes after twisting his way to the edge of the area when Kevin Doyle and Caleb Folan combined.

Duff had a better chance on 28 minutes when he was put through down the right by the hard-working Doyle, but the winger put his right-foot effort into the netting at the near post when faced with Poland keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Richard Dunne - who had only just flown back into the country after spending time with his pregnant wife - needed an impressive turn of speed and well-timed tackle to redeem a frightful mistake on 40 minutes when his casual first-time pass was intercepted by Pawel Brozek.

And Newcastle winger Duff - given a free role by Trapattoni - came within a whisker of levelling again just before the break when he was set free by wonderful play from Folan and Glenn Whelan. This time Duff cut back onto his stronger left foot only to curl his effort wide of the far post.

Leo Beenhakker brought on Brazilian-born midfielder Roger Guerreiro at the break, and the substitute had barely been on the pitch a minute when he extended his side's lead in fine style, running on to Gargula's flick before smashing a left-foot shot across Given and into the far corner.

Trapattoni made changes in an effort to spark his side up front, although it looked fruitless for 40 minutes until Shane Long won a late penalty when he was tripped by Tomasz Jodlowiec after rounding the defender on the right: Hunt converted confidently from the spot to make it 2-1.

However, Ireland's enthusiasm was short-lived. Seconds later Lewandowski brilliantly spun John O'Shea on the edge of the box before lashing a left-foot effort into the top corner to restore the two-goal lead.

Andrews fired through a crowd after Folan had laid the ball back to him on the edge of the box when Poland failed to clear a deep free-kick, but the Blackburn midfielder's first international goal was to be the last strike of the game.

Kevin Kilbane did see a goal-bound effort blocked inside the six-yard box in stoppage time, but Poland hung on.

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 19 of 19

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  1. Ireland was a better team? You must have seen different game mate.

    From nataluch, on Thu 20 Nov 1:41PM

  2. to murphy_eoghan: Nobody's laughing at Irish. You shew some skills during that game. Maybe not the best finishing but they can still work on it. Poland made so many mistakes in defence, but that's what you have friendlies for - to see what needs to be improved. I do believe ROI is a good team and with Trappatoni you only need time to become a descent side.

    From TomTom, on Thu 20 Nov 9:34AM

  3. akam, take your frustrations somewhere else, i'd recommend a specialist. this is footie forum and you come up with some @#$% no one wants to spend time reading. Back to the subject - brilliant last 15 mins!! Well done Ireland, well done Poland

    From United, kids, wife, on Thu 20 Nov 7:59AM

  4. great game, pity about the result. Wrong team. wrong tactics, wrong manager. John O' WHO.....can't be even related to a footballer

    From tipp2000, on Thu 20 Nov 7:00AM

  5. WISLA KRAKOW

    From Rafael, on Thu 20 Nov 2:33AM

  6. i_nicolson....its not bout the game just dont like the polish that all even iam not irish

    From akam, on Thu 20 Nov 1:15AM

  7. I saw the game and I see how Irish players playing - they playing with heart and I'm sure Ireland win the elimination group. Good Luck!!!
    Polish

    From Peter, on Thu 20 Nov 12:42AM

  8. No Irish manager would ever pick Stepehen Hunt ahead of Damien Duff, starting and playing well in the championship isn't enough to beat Premier League quality. And from a personal point, I'm glad Stepehen Hunt doesn't start for Ireland, i wish he was never picked

    From Creaven91, on Wed 19 Nov 11:50PM

  9. can anyone please tell me what Stephan Hunt has to do to start. He,s a regular starter for Reading and regular goal scorer for reading he adds pace good set piece deliveries and a never give up attitude unlike Andy Keogh. As an Ireland and Wolves fan I attend nearly every Game keogh has'nt started for 9 league games and in that time only made 3 sub appearances. Last saturday I was at wolves v southampton keogh was introduced late on and was so bad within 5 minutes he was being booed by the wolves fans I cant figure out why Trappatoni insists on playing him. Fair enough it was only a friendly and a chance for new faces but if this was the case where was the likes of Kevin Foley left on the bench yet again. This guy is a serious talent a regular right back for wolves for the past 2 seasons man of the match yet again on saturday he has been involved in the Ireland setup for 3 years but still cant get a game it just makes no sense to me why regular starters for their clubs are forced to sit on the bench for their countries while other players who hardly ever feature can make the cut.

    From johnnydromid, on Wed 19 Nov 11:03PM

  10. great game. well done to Ireland! but this time we are the winners ;) We need to try again ASAP !

    From Pizzahut, on Wed 19 Nov 10:57PM

  11. Poles are great, I puff & drink Zubrowska with a Polish man.

    From JOANNE, on Wed 19 Nov 10:36PM

  12. Great game! I'm glad i'm polish :D

    From Zbigniew, on Wed 19 Nov 10:31PM

  13. Ireland are better than this, 2 mistakes lead to the first 2 goals and this cost us the match.

    From Ruairi, on Wed 19 Nov 10:18PM

  14. Jasus lads look at the rugby an Munster a get a life;;soccer is for the thugs of the sporting world;;;;;;;;did you see the Blacks applaud the Munster supporters?Fuckfifa.Well done Poland;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

    From Richard, on Wed 19 Nov 10:17PM

  15. hey akam what happened to this being a friendly

    From i_nicolson@..., on Wed 19 Nov 10:16PM

  16. great game

    From Polak, on Wed 19 Nov 10:05PM

  17. Thought Ireland were the better team to be honest! Great goals from Poland though....crazy last minutes.

    From xXMichaelXx, on Wed 19 Nov 10:01PM

  18. Not a good result. People should not be laughing at the Irish. We are a big contry with a SERIOUS game to play and a BIG HEART to show it

    murphy_eoghan

    From murphy_eoghan, on Wed 19 Nov 10:01PM

  19. Players that should be in the squad ! Rory Delap, Carsley, Andy Reid, Ireland, James Mc Carthy (Hamilton) a future genius, and Cillian Sherdian of Celtic. Noel hunt and Stephen Hunt should be playing from the start and Carsley Andy Reid or Ireland should deffo be in the middlie how can he play whealan and Gibson the had a shocker against Cyprus...Whelan never plays for his club either does Folan As for Stephen Ireland try harder ! and he will comeback !

    From Alan D, on Wed 19 Nov 12:38PM
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