Soccer: Spain edge out gutsy Irish on penalties

SUWON, South Korea - Spain defeated gutsy Ireland in the first penalty shoot-out of the 2002 World Cup this morning (NZT) to reach the quarter-finals after extra time finished with the teams deadlocked at 1-1.

Spain, trying to shake off a reputation as World Cup underachievers, owed their victory to their 21-year-old keeper Iker Casillas, who saved two penalties in the shootout and one in normal time.

Matt Holland, David Connolly and Kevin Kilbane failed with their spot kicks for Ireland before Gaizka Mendieta stepped up to put Spain into the last eight. Spain won the shootout 3-2.

"To save penalties is all about luck," said Casillas, who saved a 63rd-minute penalty before being beaten by Robbie Keane from the spot on full time. "It would have been unfair for us to go out after they equalised with a penalty in the last minute."

Irish coach Mick McCarthy was devastated but full of admiration for his team after the shootout, which the Irish squad watched with linked arms on the touchline.

"I'm very proud - we didn't deserve to lose in the end, we deserved to win in normal time. Sickening," he said, but he added:

"There are no recriminations, we've had a wonderful, wonderful World Cup."

Juanfran and Juan Carlos Valeron failed with their spot kicks for Spain, who had used all their substitutes and played extra time with only 10 men after midfielder David Albelda left the pitch with a groin injury.

The Spanish, who now play either co-hosts South Korea or Italy next Saturday, looked to have sealed a place in the last eight for the first time since the 1994 finals thanks to an eighth minute goal from striker Fernando Morientes.

But Ireland, masters of the last-gasp comeback, drew level in the final minute of normal time after Swedish referee Anders Frisk awarded a penalty when Spanish captain Fernando Hierro pulled the shirt of substitute Niall Quinn in the area.

Striker Keane, who scored in the dying seconds against Germany in the first round, scored from the spot to send the game into golden-goal extra time -- hours after Senegal reached the last eight with only the second golden goal of World Cup history.

Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho said the referee had made a mistake by giving Ireland the penalty. "It was not a penalty and we had three or four chances ruled out for offside," he added.

Casillas saved his first penalty from Ian Harte in the 63rd minute after a foul in the area by defender Juanfran on winger Damien Duff, who was a constant thorn in the side of the Spanish.

Spain made the perfect start with the early goal from Morientes. Right back Carles Puyol sent in a crisp cross from the right and Morientes brushed off his marker Gary Breen to score with a glancing header past lreland goalkeeper Shay Given.

But Ireland, whose World Cup campaign suffered a serious setback before the tournament when they lost their best player Roy Keane after a bitter row with McCarthy, tested the Spanish until the final whistle.

The Spanish had the ball in the net again in the 25th minute when Luis Enrique poked home after a clever move involving Raul and Morientes but the goal was disallowed because of offside.

Keane's pace was a constant danger to the Spanish and two minutes before halftime his overhead kick went just over the bar.

Spain played the more attractive football, however. Morientes had a chance to give Spain a 2-0 lead just two minutes into the second half but Given managed to block his shot from just inside the box.

The Spanish desperately needed a second to make the game safe as Ireland kept threatening their defence, which has looked shaky at times during the tournament.

In the 51st minute, defender Hierro had to clear the ball off the line after striker Kilbane pounced to shoot after Casillas dropped a cross.

Then Ireland missed a perfect chance to get back into the game in the 62nd minute when Juanfran brought down Duff.

Harte struck the spot kick hard but too close to Casillas diving to his right and Kilbane failed to hit the rebound into a gaping net.

In the 84th minute, Casillas saved the day again, bravely blocking an acrobatic close-range effort from Keane, who broke clear in the box.

Spain, having used all their three substitutes, played extra time with 10 men after Albelda stayed off after aggravating a groin strain but Ireland were unable to score that elusive winner.

They follow Sweden out of the World Cup, after Senegal defeated the Scandinavians 2-1 in the day's other game thanks to the second golden goal in the history of the tournament and the first of the 2002 finals.

- REUTERS

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

Groups and team lists
Stars
Schedule
Points tables
Previous winners and key statistics

Interactive graphics:
Groups and team profiles