🎥 OTD: Holland strikes as Ireland draw with Cameroon at the 2002 World Cup

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Andrew Thompson·2 juin 2025

🎥 OTD: Holland strikes as Ireland draw with Cameroon at the 2002 World Cup

The 2002 FIFA World Cup is often viewed as one of the more memorable tournaments in football history, and the Republic of Ireland undoubtedly had a hand in that.

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It was on this day 23 years ago that The Boys in Green under Mick McCarthy kick-started their summer campaign against African giants Cameroon.

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After going a goal down in the first half thanks to a 39th-minute strike from cult hero Patrick Mboma, Ireland would respond after the break through popular midfielder Matt Holland, whose low drive would slip into the bottom corner.

"That's come out to Holland... 1-1!" On this day 23 years ago, The Boys in Green began their 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign with a draw against Cameroon in Niigata, Japan 🇮🇪🏆
– dimanche 1 juin 2025

A credible 1-1 draw to begin play in Group E would springboard Ireland to a second 1-1 draw on matchday two against world superpower Germany before a 3-0 win against Saudi Arabia saw them book passage to the round of 16.

Ireland went on to fight heroically against Spain in a 1-1 affair before losing 4-2 on penalties, but it was a tournament they certainly would be proud of.

📸 Stu Forster - 2002 Getty Images