International friendly: Hungary 0 Republic of Ireland 0

A resolute performance from the Republic of Ireland earned them a 0-0 draw against Hungary in their final warm-up match before Euro 2012.

An open game saw both sides create chances but the finishing – most notably from Hungary’s Adam Szalai and Ireland’s Jon Walters – left much to be desired.

With rain pouring down in Budapest the kick-off was delayed but 15 minutes, but when play did get underway it was Ireland who started the better, with John O’Shea heading narrowly over.

Bolton and Hungary goalkeeper Adam Bogdan produced several good saves in the opening half-hour, and Szalai should have given his side the lead on 35 minutes.

A cross from the left caught out Richard Dunne following a slip but, after controlling well, Szalai could only strike tamely at Shay Given.

Keiren Westwood, introduced at half-time, kept Ireland in the game with a tremendous save in the 54th minute, diving low to stop an effort deflected towards goal by Szalai.

Simon Cox and Stephen Hunt came on and both almost played their parts in giving Ireland the lead with two opportunities for the away side on the counter-attack.

Both teams squandered further chances as the game at Ferenc Puskas Stadium ended in a draw.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland face Croatia on June 10 in their first game of Euro 2012, before clashes against Spain and Italy in Group C.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/international-friendly-hungary-0-republic-of-ireland-0/95871/

India look to Koevermans

Ireland’s International High Performance Director Wim Koevermans is set to take charge of India.

The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Executive Committee are expected to meet next month to approve the appointment.

The move follows the decision to give technical director Rob Baan the power to look out for Savio Medeira’s replacement following India’s disappointing performance at the Challenge Cup.

Baan, who saw India lose all their matches and fail to score a goal, had recommended Koevermans for the top job.

The 51-year-old made one appearance for the Netherlands and was part of the Euro 1988 winning squad under Rinus Michels but did not play.

As a player, he represented his hometown club FC Vlaardingen, Fortuna Sittard and Groningen.

Koevermans coached Eredivisie side NEC in the 1996-97 season, winning a desperate relegation fight.

But at MVV Maastricht he was less fortunate as they lost their promotion/relegation play-off after finishing 16th in the league.

He failed to guide them back to Eredivisie in the 2000-01 season as they were 13th.

Koevermans served as the youth coach for the Netherlands senior team between 2002 to 2008 and he currently also looks after the Ireland Under-21 side on a temporary basis.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/india-look-to-koevermans/95067/