U-21 tournament / Portugal 0 Rep of Ireland 0: A masterful defensive display by the Republic of Ireland under-21s meant they earned a scoreless draw against joint hosts Portugal in the opening game of the Madeira International Tournament.
The Ireland back line was superb and the fact that, in the 90 minutes, goalkeeper Wayne Henderson didn't have a save of note to make illustrates how strong those in front of him were.
"I never felt we were going to lose the game and to play Portugal out here and feel that comfortable, it shows how well the boys did," said manager Don Givens. "When you don't know the players that well, you're a bit wary about what is going to happen but it was a professional performance."
Ireland only suffered three scares, the first two when Patrick Kohlmann and Willo Flood needed to clear corners off the line and a third late in the second half when Calvino crashed a half volley against the top of the crossbar.
Givens believed the two opportunities, given away from set-pieces, were the result of having just one training session together before the match and it is something he intends working on before this afternoon's clash with Italy (kick-off 4 p.m).
While Ireland's defence resisted everything that Portugal could muster, the Irish attack was giving the hosts enough problems to ensure they never pushed forward in too many numbers.
Debut striker Mark Yeates was the principle reason for this as he occupied the whole Portugal defence on his own on occasions until he was substituted with 22 minutes remaining.
He could have scored with his first touch after 49 seconds when he charged down goalkeeper Bruno Vale's clearance only to see it fly over the bar and he continued in the same vein, regularly robbing Portuguese defenders of possession only for his threat to be snuffed out by the hosts' numbers in defence.
But Yeates wasn't the only Irishman to provide a goal threat. Michael Foley had the best opportunity of the game midway through the first half when raced onto a quickly-taken Glenn Whelan free-kick only for Portugal goalkeeper Vale to save well. Whelan also went close late on with a 25-yard drive that went inches wide.
Givens is expecting an explosive encounter against one of the best sides in the world this afternoon. The Italians were furious at having two players sent off when they only managed a draw, 1-1, with a Madeira Island selection yesterday.
PORTUGAL: Vale; Laranjeiro, Castro, Ribeiro, Daniel; Davide (Organista, 75 mins), Vilas Boas (Faria, half-time), Afonso (Calvino, 64 mins); Sergio, Edson (Joao Paiva, half-time), Martinho (Eliseu, 69 mins).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Henderson (Aston Villa); Kelly (Tottenham), Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Paisley (Longford Town, McStay, Leeds Utd, half-time), Kohlmann (Borussia Dortmund); Flood (Manchester City,Deane, Charlton Athletic, half-time), Keegan (Leeds Utd), Whelan (Manchester City), Foley (Liverpool); Doyle (Cork City, Murphy, Swansea City 76 mins), Yeates (Tottenham, Bradley, Arsenal 68 mins).
Referee: M Trefoloni (Italy).
