HUNGARY 0-0 IRELANDGiovanni Trapattoni's Ireland team can thank Hungary's wastesfulness in front of goal to earn the Irish a draw in Budapest last night.
It was an open affair despite the thunderous downpour which delayed the kick-off by 20 minutes.
Ireland played an open, expansive attacking game with Robbie Keane & Kevin Doyle to the forefront early on.
However, Hungary playing at home, also posed a threat with Balázs Dzudzsák having three shots on target, he should have scored at least once only for the heroics of Shay Given in goal.
Ireland too, had chances of their own with Damien Duff and Robbie Keane having shots on goal.
In an open and often entertaining game with end to end football being the order of the day, the first-half ended scoreless.
Trapattoni made two changes at half-time with Kieron Westwood coming in for Shay Given, who suffered a mild calf-strain and Darren Gibson in for Keith Andrews.
The game continued apace, close to Turnament Final levels with both sides pressing for goals.
Robbie Keane and Damien Duff were replaced by tactical substitutions, Jon Walters and Simon Cox while Kevin Doyle was replaced by fellow Leinsterman Steven Hunt who had his usual all-action effect on the game, event stopping a certain goal on the line, late in the game.
Jonathon Walters had two shots on goal, one saved by Bogdan in the Hungary goal.
But, despite the weather and the pitch, the game ended in stalemate 0-0. A result which will have pleased Ireland Manager Giovanni Trapattoni somewhat.
After the match the Manager suggested in his broken-english that he may change his trusted 4-4-2 formation in favour of a 4-5-1 with maybe, Robbie Keane dropping deep to counteract modern teams methods.
Ireland are now 14 matches unbeaten heading into the Euro's, lets hope we continue that run in the finals, lets also hope Shay Given's calf injury is not too serious
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