From: emulcahy@unix2.tcd.ie (QUETZALCOATL MONTEZUMA OAXACA TENOCHTITLAN INTI RAYNI RA CHICHEN ITZA TLAXCALA MACCHU PICCHU CUZCO AKRANES REKJAVIK AKUYEYRI KEFLAVIK HAFNAFJIORDHUR GODTHAAB THULE MINNESOTA NORTHSTARS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS KON-TIKI)
Subject: Re: IRELAND VS SPAIN
Organization: Trinity College, Dublin
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 15:41:37 GMT

In <BxzHv9.1ru@umassd.edu> sodonnell@UMASSD.EDU writes:

>HEY can anybody out there give me some info on this game??
>I heard it was a tie. I'd like an indepth report if possible.
>......................thank in advance............
>..........................from......................
>.................married to former St. Pat of Ireland player.......
>.................who hasn't heard the news from home yet...........
>............................Mrs. O'Donnell.................



The game was played in Seville where Spain have a remarkable record for 
international soccer - so it was expected to be easier for Spain than Ireland
with the Irish playing for a draw.

The Spanish coach indicated how important the game was for them - especially
after a draw against Latvia - by recalling his strikers butragueno & Salinas
in favour of his hardly-tried new "talent".

The game started well with the Irish attacking from the start & only a few minutes into yhe game a cross was put thru to McGrath who collided with the keeper
in a 50-50 situation , the ball was lobbed into the net only for it to be
disallowed by thee Belgian Ref who gave Mcgrath a yellow card.

Other notable instances in the !st half were a ball put accross the face of the Irish goal only to be cleared by Moran, and a golden chance for Quinn who was
put thru with just the Goalie to beat but he lacked the killer instinct and his shot was deflected wide by the Goalie's foot.

The first half was fairly even with the Spanish getting the nod.

The second began like the first & the Spanish were surprised to see the Irish 
not sitting back for a draw - their pressure told on the spaniards & when Aldridge was likely to score after being put clean thru' he was visciously hacked downfrom behind, outside the box, & Spain wre once again let off the hook, but the 
offending player was rightly sent off.

At this moment the games direction was shown for all to see - Butragueno the Vulture was taken off in favour of a defender - Spain were playing for a draw in Seville ! 

The Irish piled on the pressure & Aldridge was put thru' rounded the Goalie & put the ball in the net only for it to be called back for offside -
Irish TV showed Aldo' to be in line with the *3rd* line of defense when even to
be be in line with the 2nd would be onside - also the linesman who signalled
wasn't even in line with the 3rd line let alone the 2nd as the FIFA law stipulates - Ireland were robbed of a win & it says a lot that we were dissapointed with a draw in Seville while Spain wre relieved.

There was also problems with the crowd arrangements- Spain said only one of the
areas behind the goals was to be used whereeas both wre & fans in some sections
were obviously not seated.

Enough of that though and I'll leave with Dunphy's comment that this is the bestIrish team ever - a compliment certainly from them man who criticized them so much during the world cup !!

	Enda.