Republic of Ireland 1 Nigeria 2

Nigeria saw goals from striker Julius Aghahowa and defender Efe Sodje send the Republic of Ireland to a rare defeat in Dublin.

The Irish depart for Japan tomorrow but were given a heavy work out by a composed Nigeria side who coped well with a bumby pitch to control much of the first hour.

They took the lead in the 13th minute when a neat move culminated in a clever ball forward from Austine Okocha to a running Aghahowa to hit a low shot beyond goalkeeper Shay Given. Aghahowa has now scored 11 goals in 16 games for Nigeria and was the top scorer at the African Natioons Cup and he was bright throughout this victory.

Efe Sodje was unmarked to head in from close range just seconds after the restart as the Irish defence went missing entirely.

The home side responded in the 70th minute when Steven eid chipped a bal over defenders on the right wing and collected it himself to set up substitute Clinton Morrison who found the winger again to launch a rising shot past in-form goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu. Reid was contacted by mobile phone yesterday to join the squad as he was checking in to catch a flight to a Barbados holiday resort but manager Mick McCarthy wanted him to replace the injured Mark Kennedy and he was one of Ireland's better players against Nigeria.

David Connolly had a late equaliser ruled out for offside but Nigeria must be pleased with their ability to dominate a physically determined side like Ireland.