Breen - towering presence for Irish (Allsport)

By Chris Roberts, PA Sport

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Republic of Ireland

SHAY GIVEN: Another faultless display from the Newcastle United star except one rush of blood at the end of the first half which he corrected himself. 8.

STEVE FINNAN: Has become one of the Republic's most consistent performers and gave Saudis little success down the left. 8.

STEVE STAUNTON: Another solid display from the Ireland skipper at the heart of the defence. Rarely put a foot wrong and when he did he was quick to made amends. 8.

GARY BREEN: Finished well to put his country two up during the second half and yet another commanding performance from the former Coventry City man, who will not be short of interest from clubs this summer. 9.

IAN HARTE: Again more effective with his free-kicks and breaks forward than he was in defence before being replaced at the break. 6.

GARY KELLY: Gave good support to the Irish attack with his menacing bursts down the right wing and produced the cross for Robbie Keane's goal. 7.

MARK KINSELLA: Worked hard in the middle of the park with some good challenges and runs from deep. 6.

MATT HOLLAND: Failed to make the impact of previous games going forward, but he never shied away from his duties and closed down the Saudis at every chance. 7.

KEVIN KILBANE: A frustrating performance from the Sunderland man, who often found himself in good positions without making the most of it. 6.

ROBBIE KEANE: Great first-half strike for the Leeds United man, who never ceased to stop running and causing problems for the Saudis. 8.

DAMIEN DUFF: His quality and skill will have again caught the eye of prying clubs, but his valuation must have gone up another £1million after another impressive performance for his country and a late goal. 9.

SUBSTITUTES:

NIALL QUINN (ON FOR IAN HARTE 46 MINUTES): Missed two good second-half chances, but his height caused the Saudis more concern. 6.

JASON McATEER (ON FOR GARY KELLY 81 MINUTES): Late substitution to waste more time for the Irish. 4.

LEE CARSLEY (ON FOR MARK KINSELLA 88 MINUTES)

Saudi Arabia

MOHAMMED AL DAEYEA: For the most capped player in the world having won 171 caps he should have done better with Robbie Keane's first-half strike. 5.

MOHAMMED AL JAHANI: He was one of his side's main threats with his bursts down the right flank and could have levelled things at the break. 7.

REDHA TUKAR: Made a number of vital challenges and clearances to keep Ireland's chances down to a minimum. 7.

ABDULLAH SULAIMAN ZUBROMAWI: He left Robbie Keane unmarked for his first-half strike and some desperate challenges suggest he was out of position on many occasions. 5.

FOUZI AL SHEHRI: Did well at the back against the threat of Damien Duff and Robbie Keane with some key tackles, but struggled in the second half. 6.

HUSSEIN SULIMANI: A constant threat on the break for the Saudis, but unable to produce that important final ball. 6.

NAWAF AL TEMYAT: Looked a useful player for his side and caused the Republic some problems with his runs and touches. 7.

ABDULAZIZ AL KHATHRAN: Looked dangerous with his breaks down the left flank, but hit a brick wall in the shape of Steve Finnan and Gary Breen. 6.

KHAMIS ALOWAIRAN AL DOSARI: Constantly looking for the ball, but unable to lock the Republic defence. 6.

IBRAHIM AL SHAHRANI: Showed great vision, but most of his team-mates were not on his same wavelength. 7.

AL HASSAN AL YAMI: Has quick feet and put in some hard work, but any time he found himself in space he was just as quickly closed down or tackled. 6.

SUBSTITUTES:

MOHAMMAD AL SHLHOUB (ON FOR ABDULAZIZ AL KHATHRAN 67 MINUTES): Tricky player and looked dangerous when he came on. 6.

ABDULLAH JUMAAN AL DOSARY (ON FOR ABDULLAH SULAIMAN ZUBROMAWI 68 MINUTES): Struggled to impose himself on the game. 5.

AHMED DUKHI AL DOSARI (ON FOR MOHAMMED AL JAHANI 79 MINUTES): Did little but to claim some appearance money. 4.