Italian guile beats Irish graft

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2005

DUBLIN (AFP) — Italy's goalkeeper Flavio Roma and referee Paolo Costa put paid to Ireland's best efforts to salvage their manager Brian Kerr's 17-game unbeaten home record in a high-tempo friendly.

After a thrilling first half which saw Italian guile register a 2-1 lead over Irish graft, the Monaco stopper pulled off a finger-tip save three minutes from time and the Portuguese referee harshly disallowed a Clinton Morrison goal for handball in injury time.

In a match which bubbled along as both teams looked to prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers next month, the second half gathered momentum as it progressed with Ireland gradually assuming dominance but failing to find a goal from several dangerous situations.

But the essential difference between the two...