June 5 2002

World Cup 2002

The USA and Ireland produced two great results in their World Cup group games against Portugal and Germany respectively.

GREGG BERHALTER watched from the bench as his team-mates produced one of the World Cup's biggest shocks as they beat Portugal 3-2.

They raced into a surprise early lead in the fourth minute through John O'Brien and just before the half-hour mark doubled it, when Charlton's Jorge Costa deflected a cross past his own keeper.

In the 36th minute, Brian McBride made it an unbelievable 3-0 to the USA, until Portugal pulled a goal back from Beto three minutes after.

A Jeff Agoos own-goal gave the Portugeezers some hope at 3-2, but the US held on for victory. The US face South Korea on June 10, kick-off 7.30am BST.

In Ireland's 1-1 draw with the Germans, late substitutes Niall Quinn and Steven Reid were preferred to Clinton Morrison as Quinn was vital in their amazing last gasp equaliser.

It was his flick-on for Robbie Keane's 92nd minute equaliser, which cancelled out Miroslav Klose's 18th-minute header, for a well-deserved draw.

Morrison should get a run-out for Ireland's final group game against whipping boys Saudi Arabia, for some shooting practice on June 11, kick-off 12.30pm BST.