• FT

    Ireland

    1

    Cameroon

    1

    Match
  • FT

    Uruguay

    1

    Denmark

    2

    Match
  • FT

    Germany

    8

    Saudi Arabia

    0

    Match

WORLD CUP

Niigata Big Swan, Niigata, Japan

* Local time based on your geographic location.

Ireland

  • Matt Holland 53' •

1 - 1

FT

Cameroon

  • • Patrick Mboma 39'

  • 94'

    Full time. A spirited comeback by the Irish in the second half and Matt Holland's excellent goal earns them a point after Patrick Mboma's first-half strike.

  • 93'

    Song goes for glory from 35 yards. It's not close, though.

  • 93'

    A Cameroon throw. Is there still time for a winner?

  • 92'

    And Kalla blocks a Kinsella shot. Ireland are shootign from everywhere now.

  • 92'

    Reid attempts a half-volley but it's blocked

  • 91'

    Reid takes the corner, Breen flicks on and Duff attempts to volley it over his head. It goes well over.

  • 90'

    It's not. Reid fires it in and Alioum tips over.

  • 90'

    It may be too far out for a shot, especially without Harte.

  • 89'

    And Duff's fouled again. Kalla is cautioned for bringing down the quick forward.

  • 88'

    Cameroon spread the play again as Lauren finds Wome but Breen clears the cross.

  • 87'

    Kelly takes but it's headed away.

  • 87'

    Foe fouls Duff for an Ireland free kick on the left wing.

  • 86'

    And Ireland attack again with Kelly's cross, and then Reid's. Kinsella has a half chance but Song blocks.

  • 84'

    ... Only as far as Laurne who shoots. It's Kelly's turn to clear now.

  • 84'

    Cameroon corner. Germei wins it and takes it but Breen clears

  • 83'

    Keane almost wins it. A terrific 25-yard strike hits the post with Alioum stranded.

  • 83'

    Cameroon are looking the more threatening now with Ireland pegged back

  • 81'

    Steven Reid is booked for a late challenge on Olembe in that move.

  • 81'

    Cameroon build an attack, Wome switching play from one flank to another to find Geremi, but Ireland clear

  • 81'

    Cameroon clear the corner, though, and with ten minutes to go, it's heading for a draw.

  • 80'

    Tchato makes a well-timed challenge to deny Keane a shot after poor play by Wome.

  • 79'

    Eto'o blocks a Given clearance for an Ireland throw.

  • 79'

    Matt Holland makes another terrific challenge to win the ball back for Ireland.

  • 77'

    Harte's not OK and he's replaced by Steven Reid. Gary Kelly's off to left back now - his third position during the game.

  • 76'

    Given gathers Holland's miskick after a Lauren break and cross down the right.

  • 76'

    Suffo gets the wrong side of Harte but his cross is too far ahead of Eto'o.

  • 75'

    Kelly crosses, Geremi heads away and Harte hits a long-range shot well wide.

  • 73'

    Harte's back on the pitch now as Olembe hits a terrible pass to give Ireland a throw.

  • 73'

    Lauren puts the ball out as Harte is on the ground and in need of treatment.

  • 72'

    Kilbane made the block, two yards from his own line.

  • 72'

    Suffo's header is blocked well but the referee has blown up for a foul by Kalla, who headed it to Suffo.

  • 71'

    Eto'o wins a corner, backheeling the ball onto Breen.

  • 70'

    Suffo's first impact as he drills a shot some way wide.

  • 69'

    Holland's urgency induces a foul from Foe but Ireland can't capitalise.

  • 69'

    Cameroon change their Patricks as Suffo replaces Mboma in attack.

  • 68'

    Excellent cover from Finnan after the Irish centre backs were caught out, there.

  • 67'

    But Eto'o has a great chance on the counter attack. Mboma heads on and Eto'o's too quick for the defence, but he shoots wide.

  • 67'

    Set-piece specialist Harte takes but Breen heads way over.

  • 66'

    Duff breaks down the inside left channel to meet Harte's pass and win another corner.

  • 65'

    Alioum is out well again to collect Kilbane's header.

  • 64'

    Song's getting closer and closer to an OG to add to his collection of World Cup red cards...

  • 64'

    Ireland nearly take the lead. Breen heads down Kilbane's cross and, under pressure from Keane, Song chests the ball back. Alioum does superbly to stop the ball crossing the line.

  • 63'

    He fires an optimitic shot which is blocked

  • 62'

    Ireland win another free kick. Can Harte deliver?

  • 61'

    So it's Harte with the corner which Alioum drops but Cameroon clear.

  • 60'

    But it's delayed as Given receives tratment.

  • 60'

    Finnan wins Ireland a corner as his cross is deflected behind.

  • 59'

    Ireland try to counter attack, but Kilbane's offside.

  • 59'

    And Given claims well from Wome's corner, rising above three players.

  • 58'

    Lauren's cross is well tipped over by Given. That could have embarrassed the Irish keeper.

  • 56'

    Duff runs at Cameroon now but the attack breaks down and Cameroon counter

  • 55'

    Kilbane runs at Geremi. The defender wins the ball, but Ireland are much more positive now.

  • 54'

    A terrible cross from Geremi, straight at Given, but it's end-to-end stuff now.

  • 53'

    Breen meets a Wome cross to stop Cameroon bouncing back straight away.

  • 52'

    Kalla's headed clearance was poor, but there was no disputing the quality of the Ipswich's player's finish.

  • 52'

    GOAL! It's Matt Holland, firing a low 25-yard shot into the bottom corner.

  • 52'

    Very sloppy play by the Leeds man

  • 51'

    Geremi fires wide from the edge of the box after he dispossed Harte.

  • 51'

    Booking - it's Steve Finnan, for kicking the ball away. Less a case of dissent than an attempt to stop Camerron taking a quick free kick, though.

  • 50'

    Ireland attack again and Keane wins a corner. Song heads away.

  • 49'

    But they can create chances down the wing. Harte delivers and Kilbane flicks a header across the face of goal and wide.

  • 48'

    Foe's already amde two or three fine interceptions this half & Ireland are struggling to get past Cameroon's anchor midfielder.

  • 47'

    A great start for Finnan. He intercepts Foe's pass and sprints 30 yards to find Keane, though Cameroon win the ball back.

  • 46'

    Alioum claims Harte's long throw easily.

  • 46'

    Ireland change. Steve Finnan, unlucky to be left out, comes on for Jason McAteer. Gary Kelly's playing right midfield now.

  • 46'

    Can Ireland equalise in the second half or will Cameroon build on their lead? Mick McCarthy's side need to commit more men to attack but they have to be wary of the dangerman Eto'o.

  • 45'

    The referee blows for half time and Cameroon lead courtesy of Mboma's strike, reward for their dominance in the last 15 minutes.

  • 45'

    But McAteer can clear from Wome's corner

  • 45'

    Or are they? Geremi crosses and Breen heads behind for another corner.

  • 45'

    Cameroon are happy to see out the half with some neat passing.

  • 45'

    Two minutes of stoppage time are signalled as Given comes out of his box to clear from Eto'o.

  • 45'

    Alioum made an excellent reflex save from Song's touch there - the closest Ireland have come.

  • 45'

    Can they make the most of it? Harte comes over to take it it by the corner flag and Song almost scores an own goal.

  • 44'

    Wome muscles Duff of the ball, but the referee gives Ireland a free kick.

  • 42'

    Mboma launches another attempt at goal of the tournament, hitting a first time volley from 25 yards. Very high, very wide, and he had time to control the ball, too.

  • 42'

    Breen makes a fine tackle to stop another Eto'o solo run.

  • 40'

    Eto'o has been looking dangerous for a while, and virtaully all of Cameroon's attacks have come down the right flank.

  • 40'

    GOAL. Mboma breaks the deadlock, and once again Ireland's inability to deal with Eto'o has harmed them. He turns Staunton well and lays it back fo give Mboma an easy finish.

  • 39'

    McAteer tracks back well to dispossess Wome, one of Cameroon's quieter players so far.

  • 38'

    Mboma tumbles on the edge of the box near Staunton, but the ball is some distance from either and the referee uninterested.

  • 38'

    And Ireland clear the second corner.

  • 37'

    Cameroon work it well, Geremi crossing after a backheel and Staunton deflects Song's header over.

  • 35'

    Eto'o breaks down the right again - it's Cameroon's better side - and beats Breen but Harte clears for a corner.

  • 35'

    Both are OK to continue. Cameroon attack and Foe has a go from 40 yards. Another powerful shot, but it's too high.

  • 33'

    Tchato and Kalla have a nasty collision of heads while Duff ducks. Both Cameroon players need attention and Cameroon's reserve defenders warm up.

  • 32'

    Eto'o's delicate lob drops wide - but was it a cross to the back post?

  • 31'

    Geremi delivers but Breen and Harte combine to clear.

  • 30'

    The first booking. McAteer is cautioned for tugging back Olembe.

  • 29'

    Harte takes it and Holland rises highest but heads over.

  • 28'

    Kilbane makes a driving run down the left and plays a one-two with Duff to win a corner.

  • 27'

    Kalla lets fly from 40 yards with some power, but Shay Given holds on comfortably.

  • 26'

    A needless foul by Duff on Kalla ends his attempt to earn another corner.

  • 25'

    Kinsella makes a strong challenge on Foe but Cameroon regain possession.

  • 24'

    The physio gives Gary Kelly some attention, but the full back is ok.

  • 22'

    Another Irish corner, McAteer takes quickly and Kilbane whips in a cross which Keane heads down and just past the post with Aloium stranded.

  • 21'

    Foe is warned after a foul.

  • 21'

    McAteer takes but Aloium is out very postively to claim.

  • 19'

    Duff breaks down his favoured left wing to win a corner off Song.

  • 19'

    Cameroon have a corner but Kalla is penalised for pushing.

  • 18'

    Brilliant save by Given to stop Eto'o. Mboma passed and his strike partner used his pace to get clear but Given came to Ireland's resuve.

  • 17'

    Keane shoots from distance but Alioum blocks and holds at the second attempt

  • 17'

    Kalla clatters Keane after a clever nutmeg. Irish free kick.

  • 17'

    Keane chases a Kelly through ball but Kalla uses his strength to hold off the Leeds man

  • 16'

    It's all quite quiet, but it's noticeable that niether side has committed midfielders forward to join the attack.

  • 14'

    Breen heads a Wome long ball away and Ireland have the ball for a while

  • 13'

    Mboma goes for glory with a 50-yard Pele-esque shot which is high and wide.

  • 13'

    Duff chases Harte's long ball and sets off for the corner flag, but two defenders crowd him out.

  • 12'

    Mboma attempts a clever flick to send Eto'o through. Given gathers.

  • 11'

    Wome curls in ti and Given claims comfortably, despite the presence of a diving attacker.

  • 11'

    Given almost gifts Cameroon a chance with a weak punch from Lauren's cross. Staunton clears for a corner.

  • 10'

    An even and competitive start with both sides starting to play their game, Cameroon pasing from the back and the Irish pressing.

  • 9'

    A deep cross from Lauren goes over everyone and Kelly clears. Duff fouls Kalla.

  • 8'

    Tchato puts in an early contender for the longest back pass of the World Cup, a 55-yard effort.

  • 7'

    Cameroon regain possession but Holland makes a strong challenge on Foe which leaves the Lyon man on the ground.

  • 7'

    Duff jinks past a couple of defenders with his first run.

  • 6'

    The two sides exchange long balls before Breen heads back to Given.

  • 5'

    Foe ends a spell of Irish possession.

  • 4'

    A spell of Cameroon possession as they switch the play from right to left.

  • 3'

    The first chance, Kilbane beating Geremi to Kelly's cross, but he couldn't make a powerful enough connection and Alioum gathers.

  • 1'

    An early cross from Mboma, but Harte heads it safely back to Given.

  • 1'

    Kilbane himself blocks Wome's cross and Ireland clear.

  • 1'

    Group E begins with Cameroon kicking off. Kilbane concedes the first free kick

  •  

    Can Ireland prosper without Roy Keane or will African champions Cameroon make a real impact in the global competition?

  •  

    Patrick Mboma is fit to take his place in the Cameroon attack in a strong side. Cameroon: Kalla, Wome, Alioum, Song, Lauren, Geremi, Eto'o, Foe, Olembe, Tchato, Mboma.

  •  

    Gary Kelly is preferred to Steve Finnan while Gery Breen partners skipper Steve Staunton in the Irish defence. Rep of Ireland: Given, Gary Kelly, Breen, Staunton, Harte, McAteer, Holland, Kilbane, Kinsella, Duff, Robbie Keane.

  •  

    All the action as the Roy-less Republic kick off their campaign against African champions Cameroon in Niigata. Live Commentary from 07.30 BST

COMPLETE TEAM CLOSE X
Goal Shot Video
  •  

  • Shots (on goal)

  • tackles

  • Fouls

  • possession

  • Ireland

  • 9(5)

  • -

  • 9

  • 0%

    0%

  • Cameroon

  • 11(5)

  • -

  • 12

Ireland

Line-up
POS No Name

G

 1 Shay Given

D

 3 Ian Harte
F		 21 Stephen Reid

D

 5 Steve Staunton

D

 14 Gary Breen

D

 18 Gary Kelly

M

 7 Jason McAteer
D		 2 Steve Finnan

M

 8 Matt Holland

M

 11 Kevin Kilbane

M

 12 Mark Kinsella

F

 9 Damien Duff

F

 10 Robbie Keane
 
Substitutes
POS No Name
D 2 Steve Finnan
F 21 Stephen Reid

Cameroon

Line-up
POS No Name

G

 1 Boukar Alioum

D

 2 Bill Tchato

D

 3 Pierrre Wome

D

 4 Rigobert Song

D

 5 Raymond Kalla Kongo

D

 8 Geremi Njitap

M

 12 Lauren Etame-Mayer

M

 17 Marc-Vivien Foe

M

 20 R. Salomon Olembe

F

 9 Samuel Eto'o

F

 10 Patrick Mboma
F		 18 Patrick Suffo
 
Substitutes
POS No Name
F 18 Patrick Suffo

Match Stats

  • Ireland
  • Cameroon
9(5) Shots (on goal) 11(5)
9 Fouls 12
8 Corner kicks 7
1 Offsides 1
0% Time of Possession 0%
3 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 3