International Blues

Last updated : 10 February 2005 By Brian Cartlidge

Republic Of Ireland: Kenny Cunningham & Clinton Morrison

Kenny Cunningham again skippered the Republic of Ireland side in their international friendly against Portugal in Dublin whilst Blues striker Clinton Morrison was recalled to the starting eleven for the first time since injuring his shoulder playing for his country during the goalless draw against France in Paris back in October last year.

Brian Kerr's side kept their impressive two year unbeaten home run intact with a 1-0 win against the Euro 2004 finalists with a 1-0 win at Landsdowne Road.

Newcastle United defender Andy O'Brien bagged the all-important goal 21 minutes into the game in which Morrison completed a full ninety minutes and Cunningham played for an hour.

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Portugal
Match report


Northern Ireland: Maik Taylor


Maik Taylor started beween the sticks for the Northern Ireland side in their international friendly against Canada in Belfast. The Blues keeper made a forty-five minute appearance before being replaced by Manchester United's Roy Carroll at half time.

Canada played for over an hour of the game with just ten men after Gabriel Gervais was sent off for two bookable offences on 22 minutes but the visitors still ran-out 1-0 winners at Windsor Park. Olivier Occean heading home the only goal of the game after 32 minutes.

Northern Ireland have now failed to win at home since they beat Iceland back in September 2001.

Northern Ireland 0-1 Canada


Trinidad & Tobago: Dwight Yorke


Dwight Yorke returned to the international stage for the first time in almost four years for the Soca Warriors in their World Cup qualifying game against USA. The Americans recording a 2-1 success in temperatures reaching as high as 90% at the Queens Park Oval.

Eddie Johnson gave the vistors the lead on 20 minutes and Preston striker Eddie Lewis doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half. Angus Eve scored what proved to be just a consolation goal for the home side in the 89th minute.

Yorke, who was paired in the T&T attack with former Blues striker Stern John, played the full ninety minutes of the game in Port of Spain.

Tinidad &Tobago 1-2 USA


Holland: Mario Melchiot

Blues full-back Mario Melchiot was an unused substitute for Holland in their 0-0 draw with England.

Former Blues striker Andrew Johnson gained his first England cap appearing as a second half substitute in the bore-draw at Villa Park

England 0-0 Holland
Match report


Friendly results elsewhere:

Wales 2-0 Hungary
Match report

France 1-1 Sweden
Germany 2-2 Argentina
Italy 2-0 Russia
Poland 1-3 Belarus
Romania 2-2 Slovakia
Cameroon 1-0 Senegal
Egypt 4-0 Belgium
Guinea 2-2 Mali
South Africa 1-1 Australia
Malta 0-3 Norway
Israel 3-3 Croatia
Slovenia 0-3 Czech Republic
Hong Kong 1-7 Brazil
United Arab Emirates 1-2 Switzerland

World Cup Qualifiers

Albania 0-2 Ukraine
FYR Macedonia 0-0 Andorra
Greece 2-1 Denmark
Spain 5-0 San Marino