Big Match Preview: Ireland v Australia

By Ade O`Connor
August 19 2003

After a summer dry from football, unless you follow the Irish league, we at least return to the international fold with this testing friendly match against Australia. A couple of years back, the challenge of Australia could have been laughed at, these days, they are a significant force.

Before covering the actual game, I came across a news article the other day referring the growth of soccer ‘down under’. For the first time ever soccer has overtaken cricket as being the most popular sport in the country amongst school children.

The rest of the World should really take note, because the Aussies (if I may call them that), seem to dominate every sport they ever take seriously. They are formidable in Rugby Union, Cricket, Tennis, Swimming and probably Rugby League as well, but that’s hardly a sport, is it?

In fact, I’m sure you will need no reminding that not long ago the Aussies took care of the English 3-1 in a friendly match. A lot of people mocked England after that and actually left the fact behind, that Australia are now a real football nation to be reckoned with.

Missing out on the last World Cup in a tough play off with Uruguay, less informed members of the World might still believe that Australia have not got the players to compete on the big stage, how wrong could they be?

Very wrong.

Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton, and Mark Viduka – they all have one thing in common. They’re Australian and in addition to that, they are quality football players who ply their trade in the English Premier League. Two things in common then.

But enough massaging the ego of tonight’s opposition, what about the Ireland team, this is after all a site about Irish football.

Ireland is without Lee Carsley, Steven Reid and Kevin Kilbane, all through injury, but still manage to name a strong side for tonight’s game.

Due to a lack of options down the right side of midfield, Steven Finnan will be tried in this role, as Kerr looks to experiment a little, while not disrupting the nucleus of the team too much.

Mark Kinsella replaces Colin Healy in the centre of midfield, because the former Celtic player has only just signed for Sunderland, and thus missed out on a great deal of pre-season training.

Nick Colgan gets a start in goal, as Brian Kerr looks to make sure he has adequate cover should anything happen to regular keeper Shay Given. Colgan also recently had a run out against Norway, if goalkeepers can have run outs.

Kerr selects the same back line that successfully took on Georgia, notably standing by the long time wobbly pairing of Cunningham and Breen at centre back. John O`Shea and Steve Carr provide cover on the left and right flanks respectively.

Damien Duff takes his place on the left wing since moving to the Russian All-Star select side formerly known as Chelsea. Duff had a great game in the Champions league qualifier, but had less joy when moved to the right wing against Liverpool on Saturday.

Robbie Keane is now partnered by colossus Gary Doherty, who has a strange habit of knocking in goals when he plays up front, yet still, seems to want to be a defender.

Gary, if you are reading this, for the sake of your country you should play up front for living. Nobody remembers defenders unless they are really great, or make massive blunders. Think about it, as a forward you could grab all the headlines.
So we look forward to tonight’s game in earnest, I really wish that I had more time to update the site recently but I have been a bit burned out. More effort should be made in the future, and I will be making an announcement in tomorrow’s Match Report.

Tonight’s Team to play Australia at Lansdowne Road:

Colgan (Stockport County)

Carr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Breen (Sunderland)
Cunningham (Birmingham City)
O'Shea (Manchester United)

Finnan (Liverpool)
Holland (Charlton Athletic)
Kinsella (Aston Villa)
Duff (Chelsea)

Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)
Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)