Keane finds redemption as he saves Ireland´s blushes

Robbie Keane scored a late winner here on Saturday to keep Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals on track as they struggled to overcome a stubborn Cyprus side 2-1 in the Group 8 qualifier.

The Tottenham striker – who was a member of the Irish side that were humbled 5-2 in a Euro 2008 qualifier three years ago – scored with a header on 83 minutes after he beat keeper Sofronis Avgoustis to the ball from a Damien Duff cross.

This was a must win game for Ireland who remain unbeaten in the group and jubilant Irish supporters outnumbered the home fans by about 2-to-1 among the 7,000 crowd.

Ireland got off to a perfect start when Kevin Doyle scored from six yards after the Cyprus defence failed to clear a corner with only five minutes gone.

There was almost an instant reply from the home side but keeper Shay Given did brilliantly to tip a Yiannakis Okkas header wide with a one-handed save.

Cyprus played a rather defensive formation with only Okkas up front and five across the midfield but they found it hard to contain an Irish side eager to put this game beyond doubt.

The home side also seemed to struggle without their talismanic striker Michalis Constaninou – who was suspended for this match – as high balls tried to find captain Okkas.

After taking the lead, Ireland were happy to try and contain the Cypriot threat and rely on swift counter attacks.

Left winger Stathis Aloneftis did pose a threat for the Irish with his pace but was tightly marked by Manchester United’s John O’Shea.

But Cyprus were not ready to surrender without a fight.

After weathering the early pressure, Cyprus equalised on the half hour when a loose ball fell to Marios Elia – on the edge of the area – who struck a low rasping drive that whizzed past Given in the bottom corner.

Ireland came out with more purpose after the interval and should have taken the lead but Stephen Hunt failed to connect properly with a Duff cross that looped over keeper Avgoustis.

But Avgoutis pulled off his best save when tipping a Glenn Whelan 20-yard thunderbolt over the bar.