King Italy
11-11-2001, 01:07 AM
Ireland, Slovenia, Belgium and Turkey won their World Cup qualifying play-off first legs while Germany drew in the Ukraine.
The Republic of Ireland put one foot firmly in the World Cup Finals with a 2-0 win over Iran in the first leg of their qualifying play-off at Lansdowne Road.
Robbie Keane grabbed an early second-half goal after his Leeds team-mate Ian Harte had broken a frustrating first-half deadlock with a 44th minute penalty.
Mick McCarthy's team, unbeaten in 16 matches, now travel to Tehran for the second leg of the play-off on Thursday.
In Ljubljana, Slovenia fought back from behind to grab a 2-1 victory over Romania.
Marius Niculae stunned the hosts with his 26th minute strike but the Romanian joy was not to last long.
It was level on 42 minutes when Milenko Acimovic found the back of the net and the Slovenians completed the turnaround in the 70th minute through Milan Osterc.
Germany recorded a 1-1 draw against the Ukraine in Kiev to be well-positioned to clinch qualification for the 2002 Ginals in the return leg - in Dortmund - next week.
Gennadi Subov put the Ukraine ahead in the 18th minute, in front of 80,000 fans, from short range after the Germans failed to clear a free-kick.
Germany replied through midfielder Michael Ballack in the 31st minute as he slid in at the far post to find the back of the net.
The draw is the Germans third successive qualifier without a victoy - following their 5-1 loss against England and 0-0 draw with Finland.
A 29th minute goal from Gert Verheyen gave Belgium a 1-0 advantage over visitors the Czech Republic in Brussels.
The visitors had West Ham defender Tomas Repka sent off just before the interval.
Turkey produced the performance of the day to steal a 1-0 win over Austria in Vienna.
Okan Buruk grabbed the all important goal for the Turks after 61 minutes.
The Republic of Ireland put one foot firmly in the World Cup Finals with a 2-0 win over Iran in the first leg of their qualifying play-off at Lansdowne Road.
Robbie Keane grabbed an early second-half goal after his Leeds team-mate Ian Harte had broken a frustrating first-half deadlock with a 44th minute penalty.
Mick McCarthy's team, unbeaten in 16 matches, now travel to Tehran for the second leg of the play-off on Thursday.
In Ljubljana, Slovenia fought back from behind to grab a 2-1 victory over Romania.
Marius Niculae stunned the hosts with his 26th minute strike but the Romanian joy was not to last long.
It was level on 42 minutes when Milenko Acimovic found the back of the net and the Slovenians completed the turnaround in the 70th minute through Milan Osterc.
Germany recorded a 1-1 draw against the Ukraine in Kiev to be well-positioned to clinch qualification for the 2002 Ginals in the return leg - in Dortmund - next week.
Gennadi Subov put the Ukraine ahead in the 18th minute, in front of 80,000 fans, from short range after the Germans failed to clear a free-kick.
Germany replied through midfielder Michael Ballack in the 31st minute as he slid in at the far post to find the back of the net.
The draw is the Germans third successive qualifier without a victoy - following their 5-1 loss against England and 0-0 draw with Finland.
A 29th minute goal from Gert Verheyen gave Belgium a 1-0 advantage over visitors the Czech Republic in Brussels.
The visitors had West Ham defender Tomas Repka sent off just before the interval.
Turkey produced the performance of the day to steal a 1-0 win over Austria in Vienna.
Okan Buruk grabbed the all important goal for the Turks after 61 minutes.