Republic of Ireland 3 Algeria 0:Giovanni Trapattoni's squad ended the season with another win over World Cup-bound opponents at the RDS tonight, thanks to goals from Paul Green and Robbie Keane.
Green struck in the first half when he bravely latched onto Liam Lawrence’s free-kick to open his international account on just his second appearance, while Keane provide a neat finish seven minutes after the restart and then from the spot to put the game beyond a disappointing Algeria side.
The opening exchanges were tame enough, with Kevin Doyle going closest from a Damien Duff free-kick when his flicked effort was comfortably gathered by Faouzi Chaouchi in the fourth minute.
The Wolves striker had a quiet half, marshalled well, if occasionally unfairly by Rafik Halliche in particular.
At the back debutant Greg Cunningham looked assured, even if he was rarely tested, but he coped well with the physical threat of Rafik Djebbour and was always an outlet for Sean St Ledger.
The latter twice dealt well with the threat of Abdelkader Ghezzal when timely challenges averted the danger after the striker beat the offside trap and looked to shoot from close range
All of which meant Keiren Westwood had precious little to do in the Ireland goal, save for fielding several crosses which he did with authority.
His opposite number was not so assured and it told in the 31st minute after Rafik Halliche shoved Doyle in the back and conceded a free-kick. Lawrence’s ball was too high for Adlane Guedioura and Paul Green stole in ahead of Chaouchi to notch-up his first international goal with a brave diving header.
St Ledger’s interventions followed as the Algerians bit back, the second occasion coming after John O’Shea was replaced by Darren O’Dea and the defence became a little disjointed as a result.
Ireland doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Duff’s cross was fumbled by Chouchi and Keane - who was named man-of-the-match - did well to hook it in over the goalkeeper’s head.
Karim Ziani then forced Westwood into a good save low and to his left as the Algerians were stung into life, but Ireland asked more questions and were twice thwarted by tackles from the last man on Lawrence and Doyle.
Keane’s 63rd minute left-foot volley - after Doyle’s flick on - was tidy but Chouchi was equal to it. The Irish captain got the better of the goalkeeper seconds later, this time from Lawrence’s flick on, but was denied by the post.
At the other end, the visitors’ quest for an equaliser was repeatedly being snuffed out by St Ledger and O’Dea, with the Celtic man putting his body on the line time and time again and emerging with much credit.
The two Keiths, Andrews and Fahey, were introduced for Duff and Whelan respectively, and when the Birmingham midfielder was taken down on the edge of the box his the Blackburn Rovers man fired one narrowly wide of the near post.
The game was well and truly put to bed and when Habib Ballaid headed against the crossbar the home side quickly broke and Keane again found himself through after another flick on. Djamel Mesbah’s last ditch tackle looked good but Eric Braamhar thought otherwise and the captain calmly slotted home Ireland’s third from the spot.
A happy ending for Trapattoni but a concerning send-off for Algeria, who on this evidence will most certainly struggle to make an impact against England, USA and Slovenia.
Teams
Rep of Ireland:Westwood, Kelly, St. Ledger, O'Shea, Cunningham, Lawrence, Whelan, Green, Duff, Doyle, Keane. Substitutes: J. Murphy, B. Murphy, Foley, Stokes, Sheridan, O'Dea, Long, Andrews, Fahey.
Algeria: Chaouchi, Bellaid, Mesbah, Halliche, Belhadj, Mansouri, Lacen, Guedioura, Ziani, Ghezzal, Djebbour. Substitutes: M'Bohli, Boudebouz, Saifi, Laifaoui, Kadir, Abdoun.
Referee: Eric Braamhar (Holland)