Alan Lee's Ireland Outclassed by Nigeria

Alan Lee - Eire
By Chris O'Brien
May 29 2004

Cardiff City striker Alan Lee was in action as the Republic of Ireland were thrashed 3-0 by Nigeria in the opening match of the Unity Cup, held at The Valley. Brian Kerr named a below-par side, who were no match for the skilful Africans.

Alan Lee was in action for the Republic of Ireland, as Brian Kerr's side were thumped by a slick Nigerian outfit in the opening Unity Cup match held at The Valley. The Cardiff City forward was given the opportunity of a start up front as Kerr named a below-par side for the game against the Africans, but the fringe players were outclassed as the Irish crumbled to a 3-0 defeat.

Bartholomew Ogbeche opened the scoring ten minutes before the break as the Nigerians dominated the first-half. Ogbeche secured a brace in the second-half after Obafemi Martins doubled his side's advantage. Lee was one of five players brought into the starting line-up after Ireland's friendly victory over Romania during mid-week, but the Bluebirds target man failed to make an impact in a largely one-sided affair.

The Exciting Jamaicans take on the Irish in their second and final Unity Cup match on Wednesday evening before they end their preparations for the  upcoming World Cup qualifiers with a friendly against Euro-2004 hopefuls, the Netherlands.

Full Time - Republic of Ireland 0-3 Nigeria

Nigeria: Rotimi, Olofinjana, Dnakhari, Utaka, Obodo, Martins, Lawal, Olosinjuh, Abbey, Ogbeche, Ekwueme.
Substitutes: Bankole, Adamu, Shorunmu, Akuwegbu.

Rep of Ireland: Colgan, Finnan, Cunningham, Doherty, Maybury, Miller, Holland, Kinsella, McPhail, Robbie Keane, Lee. Substitutes: Alan Quinn, O'Brien, Rowlands, Clarke, Kenny, Barrett, Thompson, Douglas, Andy Reid, Given, Morrison, Doyle, McGeady.