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Goal-fest makes Irish eyes smile

Keane's seventh minute goal is one of the two Ireland need

YOKOHAMA, Japan -- The Republic of Ireland have beaten Saudi Arabia 3-0 to clinch a place in the last 16 of the World Cup finals.

Ireland, whose pre-tournament preparations were thrown into disarray with the controversial sending home of captain Roy Keane, were driven to glory by goals from Robbie Keane, Gary Breen and Damien Duff.

Ireland had needed to score at least two goals to guarantee a place in the knockout phase as group E runners-up.

With Germany beating Cameroon 2-0 in the other final group game Ireland ended as comfortable runners-up to Germany who remain unbeaten. (Match report)

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The score was an extra delight for Ireland's loyal fans as their team had never scored more than one goal in their previous World Cup appearances.

They went into Tuesday's game knowing their fate could be decided by lots if results had conspired against them.

But the luck was with the Irish, and they were half-way to qualifying when Robbie Keane, who covered himself in glory by scoring the equaliser in injury-time in Ireland's meeting with Germany, scored in the opening minutes.

Keane's goal was the culmination of a jittery start by Saudi Arabia in the clash at the International Stadium, in Yokohama -- scene of the World Cup final on June 30.

But Ireland made heavy work of their progress to the knockout stages despite the perfect start by Keane.

The Saudis fought back for the rest of the first-half, launching several assaults on the Irish goal mouth forcing Ireland to scramble to defend their precious lead.

After the break, though, Ireland dominated.

Irish coach Mick McCarthy brought on substitute Niall Quinn for Ian Harte, with Quinn shooting over the crossbar a minute after Gary Breen scored Ireland's second goal.

The goal at least ensured there would be no need for lots, and also led to confidence growing among the Irish as it could have been 3-0 moments later.

A jubilant Keane celebrates his goal

Kelly muscled his way to the byline and delivered a superb cross which Quinn was onto a fraction of a second too early as he volleyed wide from just inside the area.

Ireland made futile appeals for a penalty after Keane passed to Duff who fell following a challenge from Redah Tokar.

However, Duff got his chance to seal Ireland's qualification for the last 16 thanks to a mistake by Saudi keeper Mohammed Al-Deayea who failed to grip the Irishman's shot.

Saudi Arabia: Mohammed Al-Deayea; Mohammed Al-Jahani, Redha Tukar, Abdullah Sulaiman, Fouzi Al-Shehri, Hussein Sulimani; Ibrahim Al-Shahrani, Abdulaziz Al-Khathran, Khamis AL-Owairan, Nawaf Al-Temyat, Al-Hassan Al-Yami.

Republic of Ireland: Shay Given; Gary Kelly, Gary Breen, Steve Staunton, Ian Harte; Steve Finnan, Matt Holland, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Kilbane; Damien Duff, Robbie Keane.

Referee: Falla Ndoye (Senegal)