Trio in Action as Eire Beat China

By Chris O'Brien
March 30 2005

John O'Shea, Roy Keane and Liam Miller were all in action as the Republic of Ireland narrowly beat China 1-0 in a meaningless friendly in Dublin. Clinton Morrison netted the only goal of the game eight minutes from time to give the Irish a morale boosting win.

Three Red Devils were in action as the Republic of Ireland narrowly beat China in a dull friendly at the Lansdowne Road, in a game that eroded memories of Israel's late, late equaliser in Saturday's World Cup Qualifier in Tel-Aviv. John O'Shea played the full 90 minutes, whilst Roy Keane and Liam Miller were both introduced as substitutes.

The only goal of the game came eight minutes from time through substitute Clinton Morrison. The forward sent an impressive lob over China goalkeeper Li Leilei in one of only few exciting moments in a relatively dull, meaningless encounter in Dublin. With Morrison out of favour at Birmingham City, he delivered a clear message to Blues boss Steve Bruce with yet another goal on the international scene.

Full Time - Republic of Ireland 1-0 China

Republic of Ireland: Kenny, Maybury, Cunningham (O’Brien, 45), Dunne, O’Shea, Reid, Kavanagh, Kilbane (Roy Keane, 66), Duff (Miller, 45), Elliott (Doherty, 73), Robbie Keane (Morrison, 62).

China: L. Li, Wei (Wang, 45), Younghai Zhang (Yokun Zhang, 76), W. Li, Ji, Sun, Chen (Yan Li, 39), Zhano, Hu, Shao (Du, 65), Yi Li (Shi, 45).