Traps Boys Un-Beaten Run Continues In Dire Draw

Republic of Ireland 0  -  0 Croatia

The only positive to take out of a rather dull and completely useless friendly international match, was that the Republic of Ireland have now gone five games without a loss, drawing 0-0 with Croatia in the Aviva Stadium tonight.

Tonights game was one with very little highlights, with the hosts failing to get going at all, although the first half seemed to have a little more action than the second. In reflection on tonights game, the boys in green were lucky to get away with the draw tonight as there were atleast 2 penalty decisions turned away for the visitors, Stephen Kelly and Glenn Whelan’s challenges inside the box going un punished by tonights referee, who had a pretty dull game himself with even more questionable decisions before and after those particular incidents.

Traps boys almost took the lead soon after, Coatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa doing very well to get down and save  a Shane Long header, the delivery to Long by Glenn Whelan was a fine cross. Captain Robbie Keane really should have sent the home side into a half time lead, with a good individual move but it completely lacked precision.

Croatia in midfield were quite impressive in midfield, with Spurs Luka Modric directing traffic and also Darijo Srna and Vedran Corluka, proving trouble for Irelands defense down the right wing, but in saying that, they too lacked precision and didnt even register a single shot on target on the opening 45 minutes of play.

After the half time break there was really only one opportunity to open the scoring and it came mid way through the second half for veteran Richard Dunne who got his head the wrong way onto a perfect hanging cross from Sean St Ledger, Dunne putting it wide.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will be back in action on September 2 when they host Slovakia in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. The Irish currently sit atop of the table in Group B with 13 points from six games.

Ireland: Shay Given [Kieran Westwood '64]; Stephen Kelly, Stephen Ward, Sean St. Ledger, Richard Dunne; Stephen Hunt [Andy Keogh '64], Glenn Whelan [Darren O'Dea '73], Darron Gibson, Damien Duff [Keith Treacy '83]; Shane Long [Simon Cox '83], Robbie Keane (Captain).
Unused Subs: David Forde, Ciaran Clark, Conor Clifford.

Yellow Cards: Darron Gibson.

Croatia: Stipe Pletikosa; Ivan Strinic, Josip Simunic, Dejan Lovren, Vedran Corluka [Sime Vrsaljko '73]; Odnjen Vukojevic [ Tomislav Dujmovic '86], Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Mario Mandzukic [Nikola Kalinic '73], Niko Kranjcar [ Ivo Ilicevic '64], Eduardo Da Silva [Ivica Olic HT].
Unused Subs: Danijel Subasic, Danijel Pranjic, Ian Perisic, Dordon Schildenfeld, Mladen Petric.

Yellow Cards: Odnjen Vukojevic.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.