Another draw for new boys Ireland

Shane Long gave Ireland the lead in the 13th minute heading well after a cross from Alan O'Brien that keeper Hugo Suarez was able to get a hand to but only parried it into the net. Long had missed a chance 40 seconds earlier when he shrugged the defenders off the ball and shot towards the left of the goal but was twarted by Suarez. A minute later a Juan Carlos Arce shot came close, but hit the post. A few seconds later Ho goalos got the ball and buried in the net to draw the match level again.

"I was disappointed, obviously, to concede the goal so quickly after we scored," Ireland assistant coach Kevin MacDonald said. "We created some good chances." "Every player who played has done himself no harm," MacDonald said, commending the play of Stephen O'Halloran, Alan O'Brien and Daryl Murphy. "One or two players have surprised us with how well they've . Everybody has progressed, in our minds."

In the 42nd minute, a Bolivian defender deflected the ball into the air and toward the goal. But Colgan knocked it away before an attacker could get to it. Ireland had a few chances in the second half but a deflected Long shot sailed over Suarez but the keeper managed to punch it away, and he intercepted a cross, outleaping Long for the ball. Bolivia couldn't convert from a free kick in the 73rd minute a cross that bounced near the goal line. Young Stokes had a fantastic effort saved by Suarez from 30 yards as the keeper leapt to his right to save the powerful effort.


It was another good display from the young men although a draw probably flattered the team. The tour will have been worthwhile if some of these players make it into the first team in the months and years to come.