Irish hold Germans with late goal

Robbie Keane scored an equaliser deep into injury time to keep Ireland's World Cup hopes still alive.
Keane finish - Images from the match

Germany blank Saudi Arabia 8-0

Germany recorded their biggest ever World Cup win with their eight-goal haul in the match against the Gulf nation.
German goal-glut - Images from the match


Germany didn't inspire confidence in the qualifiers, having sneaked into Cup finals though the back door.

Rudi Voller, perhaps Germany's best striker ever, coaches a side which alternates between exciting and pedestrian in its play.

Germany has young, exciting prospects leading its charge. Ballack, Deisler and Hamann hold the key to the march in Korea and Japan. If the midfield cranks up and creates openings, Klose and Neuville are capable of delivering the goods upfront. These talents are complemented by the proven experience of Bierhoff and the ever dependable, Kahn in the goal.

The draw has been charitable to Germany. Cameroon has always been a dangerous customer in the World Cup. While Ireland can be dodgy, Saudi Arabia should offer token resistance.

But given the bumpy fashion with which Germany qualified for the Cup, the side will have to play to its potential to qualify and advance at least till the quarters, a feat Germany has achieved in their last four campaigns.

Winners in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

Defenders:
Jens Lehmann, Sebastian Kehl, Thomas Linke, Christoph Metzelder, Marko Rehmer, Christian Worns, Christian Ziege.

Midfielders:
Michael Ballack, Sebastian Deisler, Torsten Frings, Dietmar Hamann, Jens Jeremies, Carsten Ramelow, Bernd Schneider.

Forwards:
Gerald Asamoah, Oliver Bierhoff, Marco Bode, Carsten Jancker, Miroslav Klose, Oliver Neuville.

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Qualifying campaign

W 2-0 Greece (h) W 1-0 England (a) W 2-1 Albania (h) W 4-2 Greece (a) D 2-2 Finland (a) W 2-0 Albania (a) L 1-5 England (h) D 0-0 Finland (h) Play-off D 1-1 Ukraine (a) W 4-1 Ukraine (h)

June 21, 2002