Cyprus-Forum.com

[originalsmiler]

Source: http://www.lgr.co.uk/sport/news/9848/impressive-cyprus-draw-with-the-republic-of-ireland/

LGR.CO.UK

Cyprus gave an impressive performance against the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2008 qualifier which was played at Corke Park in Dublin.

The Cypriot squad were quilty of squandering some really good chances before they eventually took the lead on 80 minutes, and let a 90th minute equaliser to prevent them winning in Ireland.

History has been made, Cyprus have netted a tally of 14 points - lying fourth - two points behind the Republic of Ireland.

Qualification was assured by the Czech Republic who defeated Germany 3-0 - both teams have progressed to the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Robbie Keane saw a header saved before the impressive Cypriots wasted three good chances in the first half.

Cyprus captain Ioannis Okkas hit the woodword just after the break and Keane headed wide when well placed.

Stelios Okkarides put Cyprus ahead with a powerful header on 80 minutes before Steve Finnan levelled with a fierce volley in injury-time.

There were 15,000 empty seats in the Dublin stadium as the Republic set out to gain revenge for the embarrassing 5-2 defeat by the Cypriots in Nicosia last year.

Only a win would do for Steve Staunton's men and they started out in positive fashion with Paul McShane just failing to get the vital touch to Kevin Doyle's shot across goal.

The Cypriots grew in confidence after they repelled Republic's early assault and they gradually took a grip in midfield.

But it was the Republic who created the first good chance on 29 minutes with Robbie Keane's header from a Steve Finnan cross easily saved by Antonis Georgallides.

Yiasomis wasted two glorious opportunites three minutes later, the first when he was put clear but the striker mishit his shot and Shay Given collected.

Yiasomis met a cross 40 seconds later but his header drifted just wide of the woodwork.

The Republic had another escape a minute from the break when Cyprus found themselves in a three against one situation but Marios Nicolau opted not to pass and instead he sliced an attempted lob to the relief of a stranded Given.

Republic boss Steve Staunton made two much needed half-time changes in midfield with Liam Miller and Aiden McGeady replacing Joey O'Brien and Andy Keogh.

Cyprus were guilty of poor finishing again in the 49th minute when captain Okkas was put clear on goal but his flicked shot past the advancing Given struck the outside of a post.

Despite playing poorly the Republic still looked capable of scoring and Stephen Hunt flicked a header just wide on 55 minutes.

Daryl Murphy came on for Hunt before the Republic squandered their best chance of the game after 76 minutes.

Doyle provided a pinpoint cross for Keane but the Spurs striker headed wide from eight yards.

The miss proved costly because four minutes later Okkarides found space to power a header past Given and give Cyprus a deserved lead.

The Republic pressed for the equaliser and it came in the second minute of added time when Finnan latched onto a loose ball and smashed home.

Rep of Ireland: Given, Finnan, Kilbane, McShane, O'Shea, Joey O'Brien, Reid, Keogh, Kevin Doyle, Keane, Hunt.

Cyprus: Georgallides, Satsias, Okkarides, Chrisou Paraskevas, Charalampidis, Marios Elia, Garpozis, Makridis, Nicolau, Okkas, Yiasoumis.

Referee: Mikko Vuorela (Finland)

[DT.]

Source: http://www.lgr.co.uk/sport/news/9848/impressive-cyprus-draw-with-the-republic-of-ireland/

LGR.CO.UK

Cyprus gave an impressive performance against the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2008 qualifier which was played at Corke Park in Dublin.

The Cypriot squad were quilty of squandering some really good chances before they eventually took the lead on 80 minutes, and let a 90th minute equaliser to prevent them winning in Ireland.

History has been made, Cyprus have netted a tally of 14 points - lying fourth - two points behind the Republic of Ireland.

Qualification was assured by the Czech Republic who defeated Germany 3-0 - both teams have progressed to the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Robbie Keane saw a header saved before the impressive Cypriots wasted three good chances in the first half.

Cyprus captain Ioannis Okkas hit the woodword just after the break and Keane headed wide when well placed.

Stelios Okkarides put Cyprus ahead with a powerful header on 80 minutes before Steve Finnan levelled with a fierce volley in injury-time.

There were 15,000 empty seats in the Dublin stadium as the Republic set out to gain revenge for the embarrassing 5-2 defeat by the Cypriots in Nicosia last year.

Only a win would do for Steve Staunton's men and they started out in positive fashion with Paul McShane just failing to get the vital touch to Kevin Doyle's shot across goal.

The Cypriots grew in confidence after they repelled Republic's early assault and they gradually took a grip in midfield.

But it was the Republic who created the first good chance on 29 minutes with Robbie Keane's header from a Steve Finnan cross easily saved by Antonis Georgallides.

Yiasomis wasted two glorious opportunites three minutes later, the first when he was put clear but the striker mishit his shot and Shay Given collected.

Yiasomis met a cross 40 seconds later but his header drifted just wide of the woodwork.

The Republic had another escape a minute from the break when Cyprus found themselves in a three against one situation but Marios Nicolau opted not to pass and instead he sliced an attempted lob to the relief of a stranded Given.

Republic boss Steve Staunton made two much needed half-time changes in midfield with Liam Miller and Aiden McGeady replacing Joey O'Brien and Andy Keogh.

Cyprus were guilty of poor finishing again in the 49th minute when captain Okkas was put clear on goal but his flicked shot past the advancing Given struck the outside of a post.

Despite playing poorly the Republic still looked capable of scoring and Stephen Hunt flicked a header just wide on 55 minutes.

Daryl Murphy came on for Hunt before the Republic squandered their best chance of the game after 76 minutes.

Doyle provided a pinpoint cross for Keane but the Spurs striker headed wide from eight yards.

The miss proved costly because four minutes later Okkarides found space to power a header past Given and give Cyprus a deserved lead.

The Republic pressed for the equaliser and it came in the second minute of added time when Finnan latched onto a loose ball and smashed home.

Rep of Ireland: Given, Finnan, Kilbane, McShane, O'Shea, Joey O'Brien, Reid, Keogh, Kevin Doyle, Keane, Hunt.

Cyprus: Georgallides, Satsias, Okkarides, Chrisou Paraskevas, Charalampidis, Marios Elia, Garpozis, Makridis, Nicolau, Okkas, Yiasoumis.

Referee: Mikko Vuorela (Finland)

someone change the title of this thread before i bite a chunk of my monitor.

[Get Real!]

ROI are sooooooooooooooooooo fucking lucky!

[DT.]

Too late...

GR...how much is a new 17 inch monitor. I've had to switch to my laptop.

[Get Real!]

Too late...

GR...how much is a new 17 inch monitor. I've had to switch to my laptop.

May I recommend our latest... "Shamrock 19" with a 1:1 pixel-perfect ratio just in from the Republic of Ireland?

[DT.]

Too late...

GR...how much is a new 17 inch monitor. I've had to switch to my laptop.

May I recommend our latest... "Shamrock 19" with a 1:1 pixel-perfect ratio just in from the Republic of Ireland?

THATS WHAT I NEED! I'm gonna go out and find me a 19" Irishman and kick him for good luck.

We've really screwed up the British Isles this year. Walse manager is quitting any second now and Stounton will be kicked out by the FAI any second. The funny thing is that German, Irish and Welsh commentators all excused their defeats by saying their teams had a poor game. Nothing about the fact that we have 11 kouroupetous who eat babies with their pampers these days.

[DT.]

Too late...

GR...how much is a new 17 inch monitor. I've had to switch to my laptop.

May I recommend our latest... "Shamrock 19" with a 1:1 pixel-perfect ratio just in from the Republic of Ireland?

THATS WHAT I NEED! I'm gonna go out and find me a 19" Irishman and kick him for good luck.

We've really screwed up the British Isles this year. Walse manager is quitting any second now and Stounton will be kicked out by the FAI any second. The funny thing is that German, Irish and Welsh commentators all excused their defeats by saying their teams had a poor game. Nothing about the fact that we have 11 kouroupetous who eat babies with their pampers these days.

btw..know any irish supporters forums out there?

[Get Real!]

Too late...

GR...how much is a new 17 inch monitor. I've had to switch to my laptop.

May I recommend our latest... "Shamrock 19" with a 1:1 pixel-perfect ratio just in from the Republic of Ireland?

THATS WHAT I NEED! I'm gonna go out and find me a 19" Irishman and kick him for good luck.

We've really screwed up the British Isles this year. Walse manager is quitting any second now and Stounton will be kicked out by the FAI any second. The funny thing is that German, Irish and Welsh commentators all excused their defeats by saying their teams had a poor game. Nothing about the fact that we have 11 kouroupetous who eat babies with their pampers these days.

It took bello Kipreous to rid of all them managers there... we should go out and destroy all the Irish pubs in Cyprus!

I've been to a few Irish soccer forums but I didn't save them... posted a couple of... "Cheer up guys, it could've been worse for you!" posts and left!

[Piratis]

DT. I don't think the Irish will like calling them part of the "British Isles" So leave them alone, we have nothing against them.

I believe with this Euro qualifiers our ratings have increased from "poor" to "decent" and now any team will have to count us and take very seriously their games against us. I think this is a good achievement for small Cyprus.

It appears that our defense has improved, and with players like Okkas, Aloneftis, Konstantinou and Charalampides we are capable to score against any opponent.

[phoenix]

DT. I don't think the Irish will like calling them part of the "British Isles" So leave them alone, we have nothing against them.

I believe with this Euro qualifiers our ratings have increased from "poor" to "decent" and now any team will have to count us and take very seriously their games against us. I think this is a good achievement for small Cyprus.

It appears that our defense has improved, and with players like Okkas, Aloneftis, Konstantinou and Charalampides we are capable to score against any opponent.

May I just say how refreshing it is to see Piratis let his hair down and lighten up . . . and away from the Cyprus Problem.