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▒ Category
[Awards Review]
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▶ Ireland Draw 1-1 with Cameroon in Group E Opener [06/01]
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[2002/06/02 ]
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Niigata, Japan, June 1 (Kyodo-Yonhap) -- Matt Holland scored a 52nd-minute equalizer as Ireland drew 1-1 with Cameroon in World Cup action in Niigata on Saturday in the opening match of group F.
In an entertaining opening game in Japan, Cameroon took a deserved first-half lead through Patrick Mboma but the Irish came back strongly after the break and were unlucky not to pick up all three points.
Ireland's buildup to the match at Big Swan stadium had been dominated by the axing of captain Roy Keane for hurling abuse at manager Mick McCarthy at a training camp in Saipan last week.
Cameroon, looking to extend a perfect start for Africa following Senegal's shock victory over world champions France in Friday's curtain-raiser in Seoul, began strongly and dominated the first half.
The Nations Cup holders went close to opening the scoring after 17 minutes when Samuel Eto'o was put clear by strike partner Mboma but Shay Given was quick off his line to smother the shot.
The pace of Eto'o caused further problems for the Irish defense before the Real Mallorca striker set up the opener after 39 minutes.
Latching onto a pass from Geremi down the right, Eto'o jinxed into the box and turned Steve Staunton on the line before slipping the ball inside to Mboma, who made no mistake from close range.
In the 50th minute, Geremi was inches away from doubling the lead after an Ian Harte error in defense, but fired wide from the edge of the box. Moments later, Ireland pulled level against the run of play.
Raymond Kalla half-cleared a Kevin Kilbane cross from the left and the ball fell to Holland, who picked his spot from 25 meters, drilling into the corner of the net past keeper Alioum Boukar.
The equalizer lifted the Irish and their large contingent in the crowd as they pushed hard for a winner.
In the last 10 minutes, Robbie Keane struck the upright with a shot from the edge of the area and Boukar saved on the line to prevent an own goal from Roberto Song.
'We looked a bit nervy at the start and made too many errors,' McCarthy said. 'But individually we were far better in the second half, and I thought the players were excellent.'
Cameroon manager Winfried Schaefer said he thought a draw was a fair result.
'We had chances to score a second goal but then we were under a lot of pressure in the second half,' Schaefer said.
In the next group E match later Saturday, Germany take on Saudi Arabia in Sapporo.
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