An injury time Robbie Keane goal gave Matt Holland's Irish a deserved draw against Germany in Ibaraki this afternoon. The Germans had gone ahead in the 19th minute through a Klose header.
Holland played the full 90 minutes and went close to scoring in the 24th minute with an effort which was almost a carbon copy of his goal against Cameroon on Saturday.
Jim Magilton's brother-in-law, Irish skipper Steve Staunton, made his 100th appearance for his country, the first player to do so.
Ireland now look to be in with a very good chance of qualification for the second stage with their final group opponents the free-conceding Saudis.