2002 World Cup - Republic of Ireland 2 Iran 0

The Republic of Ireland overcame nerves to score either side of half-time to give them the cushion coach Mick McCarthy demanded to take to Iran next week.

McCarthy wanted at least a 2-0 lead to take to Tehran on Thursday afternoon but his side created no real chances until Jason McAteer was fouled on a run into the penalty area in the 44th minute.

Leeds United defender Ian Harte struck the penalty hard past Iran goalkeeper Mirzapour to relieve the tension that had built during the first half for the home team in Dublin.

The Irish started the second half well with Robbie Keane going close with a header from close range and a deflected shot in the first four minutes of the session and in the 51st minute the Leeds star blasted the ball into the net after a knockdown from Ireland's all-time top scorer Niall Quinn.

Young star Ali Karimi forced two great saves from Irish goalkeeper Shay Given with a minute of the hour mark on runs into the penalty area but McAteer headed over an open goal when he rose and slapped a header into the ground for it to bounce over the cross bar.

In the 86th minute Karim Bagheri easily beat Harte and cut inside but drove his shot well wide while the Irish will worry over the absence of captain Roy Keane with a knee injury from the return leg in which the Irish may need to score.