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International Blues - Wednesday

Last updated : 13 October 2004 By Brian Cartlidge
Northern Ireland: Maik Taylor & Damien Johnson


Damien Johnson played for Northern Ireland in their 3-3 draw against World Cup Group Six opponents Austria in Belfast but Maik Taylor had to make do with a place on the bench. Lawrie Sanchez preferring Manchester Utd's Roy Carroll to keep goal ahead of the Blues keeper.

Preston striker David Healy's goal on 36 minutes cancelled out Markus Schopp's opener for Austria on 14 minutes. Hibernian defender Colin Murdock gave the Irish a 2-1 lead on the hour mark but the vistors were level within a minute through Christian Mayrleb. Austria looked to have secured all three points with Schopp's second of the night 17 minutes from time but Stuart Elliott's injury time equaliser salvaged a point for Ireland.

DJ completed the full ninety minutes and picked up a yellow card in the 90th minute.

Republic Of Ireland: Kenny Cunningham

Kenny Cunningham again skippered the Republic of Ireland side in their Group Four qualifier against the Faroe Islands in Dublin.

Brian Kerr's side completely dominated affairs and really should have scored more than the two first half goals they managed at Landsdowne Road.

Spurs striker Robbie Keane bagged a brace to give the Irish a 2-0 win.

Cunningham completed the full ninety minutes but picked up a yellow card five minutes from time.


Denmark: Jesper Gronkjaer

Blues winger Jesper Gronkjaer lasted just thirty minutes of Denmarks 1-1 draw against Group Two opponents Turkey . The Blues winger was given a straight red card for violent conduct in the game at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

Jon Dahl Tomasson 27the minute penalty gave Morten Olsen's side a 1-0 lead but the visitors levelled matters on 70 minutes through Nihat Kahveci, the same player having missed from the spot just ten minutes earlier.


Wales: Robbie Savage

Robbie Savage returned to the Wales squad for their Group Six qualifier against Poland at the Millenium Stadium. The Blues midfielder picked up what has become a customary caution-a-game right on the stroke of half time in a 3-2 defeat in Cardiff.


After a goalless first half, a Robert Earnshaw goal on 55 minutes, following a clever quick free kick by Sav, gave the home nation a 1-0 lead but Tomasz Frankowski equalised for the visitors on 72 minutes. Maciej Zurawski put the Poles 2-1 up on 81 minutes and Sebastian Mila bagged a third five minutes from the end. Celtic striker John Hartson scored what proved to be just a consolation goal for the Welsh in what was manager Mark Hughes' final game after five years in charge of the Wales side.

Savage completed the full ninety minutes, captaining the side for the final ten minutes after Gary Speed had been substituted.