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Staunton starts his reign in style

Staunton shows his delight after an impressive first match in charge

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ireland gave new coach Steve Staunton a perfect start with an assured 3-0 friendly victory over World Cup finalists Sweden on Wednesday.

The home side, who have not qualified for the finals, piled on the pressure from the start with Chelsea winger Damien Duff giving Sweden the most trouble early on.

Duff was rewarded with his first goal for Ireland since November 2003, his shot deflecting in off Sweden's Olof Mellberg in the 36th minute.

Ireland dominated throughout, while Sweden, traditionally strong in defense, looked leaden-footed at the back.

Tottenham's Robbie Keane, wearing the captain's armband for the first time, scored two minutes into the second half after being released by Levante's Ian Harte.

Liam Miller, currently on loan to Leeds from Manchester United, capped a perfect night for Staunton, dashing through from midfield and blasting into the roof of the net from 20 yards.

Staunton, Ireland's most capped player, was appointed national team coach in January, replacing Brian Kerr who was sacked in October.

Swiss spree

Switzerland swept Scotland aside 3-1 in their World Cup warm-up in Glasgow on Wednesday for their first victory on Scottish soil.

First half goals from Tranquillo Barnetta on 20 minutes and Daniel Gygax four minutes from the interval put the Swiss in control.

Barnetta volleyed a knee-high cross from Ricardo Cabanas past the keeper from 15 metres and Gygax headed powerfully down into the net from 10 metres.

Scotland hauled a goal back when Kenny Miller charged free on the right in the 55th to drill a magnificent low shot across substitute keeper Fabio Coltorti into the left of the net.

Cabanas, however, rattled a rising 10-metre shot into the top left hand corner to restore the two-goal gap in the 69th and leave Scotland without a win at home in an international friendly for over 10 years.

"I think we played well and I am very satisfied," Swiss coach Jakub Kuhn told reporters.

"It is unusual to score three goals abroad."

Kuhn dismissed the idea his side were more motivated because they had the World Cup in June to look forward to.

"I don't think so because Scotland are searching for a new team for the 2008 European Championship in Switzerland and Austria," he said.

Super Sproule

Striker Ivan Sproule gave Northern Ireland their first friendly win in Belfast for almost eight years as they beat Estonia 1-0 on Wednesday.

Sproule made a great impression on his first international start when he fired home from close range inside two minutes after the ball was helped on by James Quinn and David Healy.

The goal gave the Irish, spurred on by a noisy crowd, the perfect start at a snowy Windsor Park, but play became scrappy as conditions worsened and both sides missed several chances.

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