Irish eyes on Staunton
As part of the new regime Steve Staunton had already taken the rare step for a Republic of Ireland manager of naming his team more than 24 hours before kick-off.
For Staunton’s first game in charge, it meant debuts for Reading striker Kevin Doyle – partnering the new Republic captain Robbie Keane in attack – andfor Bolton’s Joey O’Brien at right back.
In midfield, Sunderland’s Stephen Elliott lined up on the right wing, with a new central midfield pairing of Blackburn’s Steven Reid and John O’Shea of Manchester United.
For Sweden, coach Lars Lagerback named his formidable strikeforce of Barcelona and former Celtic star Henrik Larsson and Juventus’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Aston Villa centre-back Olof Mellberg skippering the side.
Rep of Ireland: Given, Joey O’Brien, Andrew O’Brien, Dunne, Harte, Elliott, Steven Reid, O’Shea, Duff, Keane, Doyle. Subs: Breen, Morrison, Kavanagh, Miller, Henderson, Kilbane, Ireland, Douglas, Kelly, Lawrence.
Sweden: Isaksson, Ostlund, Mellberg, Hansson, Edman, Linderoth, Elmander, Kallstrom, Wilhelmsson, Ibrahimovic, Larsson. Subs: Gustafsson, Christoffer Andersson, Dorsin, Lucic, Daniel Andersson, Allback, Alexandersson, Svensson, Rosenberg, Jonson.
Referee: Damien Ledentu (France)
