YOKOHAMA (Japan), June 11: Robbie Keane struck an early goal as Ireland cruised to a 3-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to reach the second round of the World Cup for the third time in three appearances.

Goals by the in-form striker, defender Gary Breen and winger Damien Duff left Mick McCarthy’s side second in group E behind Germany and they will play Spain or South Africa in the last 16.

Ireland’s progress was a triumph for McCarthy, who had to lift his squad after captain Roy Keane was sent home on the eve of the finals following a furious bust-up with his coach.

“People thought we would get beaten in the first two games but whoever we meet won’t be relishing the thought of playing us on Sunday.

“We settled in the second half, we were a bit nervous in the first,” McCarthy said. “The lads have responded really well, they were brilliant. They all played very well.”

It was also the first time in 12 World Cup finals matches that Ireland, quarter-finalists in 1990, had managed to score two goals.

Robbie Keane gave them the perfect start after seven minutes.

The 21-year-old superbly volleyed Gary Kelly’s hanging cross past flailing Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayea.

At a drizzly Yokohama International Stadium, Saudi Arabia, beaten 8-0 by Germany and already eliminated, threatened more as the half wore on.

Nawaf Al-Temyat was at the centre of their best work, often giving Ireland left-back Ian Harte a hard time, and three minutes before the interval he set up Mohammed Al-Jahani who tested Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given with a stinging shot.

McCarthy responded by removing Harte at halftime and bringing on tall striker Niall Quinn, and Keane, with two sharp efforts, soon threatened to double their advantage.

Ireland suddenly had a better shape, with Kevin Kilbane filling in at left-back and Duff moving back into the midfield.

It was no surprise when Breen diverted captain Steve Staunton’s free kick past Al-Deayea for Ireland’s second on the hour and Duff claimed the third three minutes from time following a mistake by the Saudi keeper.

The winger’s powerful, angled drive should have been saved, but Al-Deayea failed to get a strong enough hand on the ball and it squirmed into the net to the delight of the Irish support in the 65,320 crowd.

The Saudis, humiliated 8-0 in their first match by Germany, finished a disastrous tournament at which they were the first of the 32 teams to be eliminated with no points and no goals.

“Tonight we played very well, especially in the first half but we missed a lot of chances that could have made a big difference to the result,” their coach Nasser Al-Johar said.—Reuters