Clinton Scores and we are all happy

In a lacklustre game in Lansdowne Road in Dublin tonight, super sub Clinton Morrison scored an excellent goal with an exquisite chip over the Chinese keeper, eight minutes from the end of the game. Six Changes Manager,Brian Kerr made 6 changes from Saturday's draw in Israel. Bringing in Paddy Kenny, Alan Maybury, Richard Dunne, Andy Reid, Graham Kavanagh and Stephen Elliott, all whom started the game. Brain Kerr started with his favoured 4-4-2 formation against the Chinese 5-4-1 line out. Ireland denied a Penalty Early in the first half Stephen Elliott, gaining his second cap, was pulled down by a Chinese defender, but the referee waved play on and about 2 minutes later he broke into the penalty area on the left hand side and crossed it, but it was too close to the keeper. A little later the Chinese keeper was called to save a fairly simple header from Kevin Kilbane. Andy Reid was having little success on the right and swapped with Damien Duff but still had very little joy braking down a resolute Chinese defence. Kenny Saves In a rare attack by the Chinese in the 1st half they nearly scored, but Paddy Kenny pulled off a fine save. Ireland got a free kick about 25 metres from goal, five minutes before half time, but a poor kick was easily saved by the keeper. The Chinese quickly launched a counter but did not succeed and Paddy Kenny goal was intact after a poor first half. The Second Half The less said the better, with only ray of sunshine was Clinton's superb goal. The half started with two changes for each team, Andy O'Brien replaced Kenny Cunningham and Liam Miller swapped places with Damien Duff. The Irish could not break down the Chinese in the second half. Clinton Morrison replaced Robbie Keane in the 62nd minute and the shape of the Irish attack change for the better. Before Morrison scored Roy of United fame replaced Kevin Kilbane and a few minutes later Stephen Elliott was replaced by Gary Doherty. The goal came from a long speculative pass from Maybury that sat up nicely for Clinton and he neatly chipped the advancing goalie for a cracking goal. Ireland pushed forward in search for a second and Graham Kavanagh the man of the match, produced a lovely bit of skill in front of goal, only to drive his shot straight at the Chinese keeper.