The Pluck of the Irish

Wha

t a cracker! The Irish never stopped trying, never gave up hope — and the Germans decided, just a couple of minutes too soon, that they had the game all wrapped up.

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The boys in green simply outlasted their more experienced rivals: when was the last time anybody did that to a German team? As the game progressed into the second half, the Irish began to run harder — just as the Germans began to slow down. Their fans, too, never flagged. Robbie Keane's at-the-death equilizer was no less than they deserved, and the roar almost took the roof off the Kashima Stadium.

The lesson of the night for Ireland is that they need Niall Quinn's height and muscle from the get-go, not just in the last 10 minutes. The game turned from the moment he was brought on, as a substitute. The Germans were obliged to put two men on him, opening up gaps in their rock-solid back line. Quinn is a bit long in the tooth, but if he can't run for 90 minutes, he should be employed for the first 60. Little Robbie Keane thrives in the bigger man's presence, running into space for Quinn to find with his headers.

German coach Rudi Voeller won't be overly disappointed by the night's result. Yes, his boys should have had the three points, but they played well — and well within themselves. For much of the game, the team kept its shape on the pitch, with Ramelow and Hamman dominating the midfield. Oliver Kahn had a superb night, pulling off two pointblank saves and reminding us why, even at 33, he is the best 'keeper of his generation. And although Carsten "Tank" Jancker was kept out of it with surprising ease by the Irish, his strike partner was excellent: Miro Klose was full of clever running and industry — already, he's Germany's find of the tournament. With four goals in two games, he is the leading contender for the Golden Boot.

But the best outcome of the match is that, for the second game running, the Irish have rubbed Roy Keane's face in the mud. "Are you watching, Roy Keane?" the fans sang at the final whistle. But surely even a man as uncouth as the Manchester United bruiser would be too ashamed to watch.

Ireland must now outscore Cameroon against the Saudis and hope the Germans beat the Africans in the final game of the group. Can the pluck of the Irish hold?