David Beckham and Robbie Keane in action for LA Galaxy against Melbourne Victory. (Pic: Darryl Kennedy/Irish Echo)

Robbie Keane netted a brace of penalties for LA Galaxy in their friendly tie against Melbourne Victory last night, as the Major League Soccer champions won the Hyundai Club Challenge with a penalty shoot-out victory at Etihad Stadium.

Victory took a 2-0 lead thanks to Carlos Hernandez on 15 minutes and Isaka Cernak 22 minutes later.

But two penalties either side of half-time, both of which were contentious, saw the Galaxy draw level with Robbie Keane flawless from the spot.

The match later went to penalties and although Landon Donovan missed for the Californians, Paulo Retre and Marco Rojas followed suit to deny the hosts.

David Beckham enjoyed what could be his final game in a Los Angeles Galaxy shirt.

Beckham, whose contract with the Galaxy expires later this month, played well as the game ended 2-2 after 90 minutes before the visitors edged it on spot-kicks.

The former England, Manchester United and Real Madrid star departed, having won the penalty which enabled the Galaxy to equalise early in the second half, a minute from time holding his right hamstring.

It was an end-to-end first half, with Archie Thompson having one shot saved and pushing another wide inside the first five minutes.

David Beckham was presented with a man of the match award after the game. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Beckham got the crowd going with an ambitious lob from 50 yards which almost caught Ante Covic out as it sailed just wide.

But 15 minutes in it was the home side celebrating when Cernak set up Hernandez, whose first shot was blocked by a defender before he got clear to beat Josh Saunders for the opener.

Adam Cristman headed wide at the other end before Victory striker Danny Allsopp hit two efforts straight at Saunders.

The second goal came after 37 minutes with Hernandez playing provider to Cernak this time, hitting a perfectly weighted ball for the midfielder to run on to and finish well.

Galaxy had a Keane shot saved before Chris Birchall’s drive forced a Victory handball in the box and a penalty for the visitors. Keane slotted the spot kick to make it 2-1.

Victory should have restored the two-goal buffer before half-time with Adrian Leijer having a header cleared off the line by Birchall before Allsopp waltzed onto an excellent chance but hit it over.

Beckham inserted himself into the game in a decisive manner soon after the resumption and when he was upended by Petar Franjic, referee Strebre Delovski again pointed to the spot. Keane had no trouble beating substitute keeper Lawrence Thomas.

Keane fired two presentable chances over the bar before the hour mark, while Donovan and Paolo Cardozo were also off target.

There was also a fair share of profligacy at the other end with Jean Carlos Solorzano unable to shoot into an open goal and then failing in his bid for a penalty.

Allsopp went close late on while Galaxy’s Hector Jimenez hit the post.

The shoot-out looked like going Melbourne’s way, but a couple of mistakes from youngsters proved the difference.

The Irish football skipper is coming to Australia.

His club LA Galaxy will take on Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, December 6.

The Irish Echo, in association with Tribal Sports Management, has five double passes to give away.

This is a rare opportunity to see Ireland’s all-time top scorer in action alongside fellow legend David Beckham and the Victory’s Harry Kewell.

Jonathan Walters (right) celebrates with Robbie Keane (left) after scoring Ireland's second goal during this morning's play-off victory in Tallinn, Estonia. (Pic: Julien Behal/PA)

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni insisted he was not God despite seeing his side romp to a 4-0 victory over Estonia.

Trapattoni’s decision to hand striker Jonathan Walters a Euro 2012 play-off mission paid off in style as the Stoke frontman, making his first competitive start for his country at the A Le Coq Arena, opened his goalscoring account as the Republic routed nine-man Estonia to take a massive stride towards next summer’s finals.

Trapattoni waited until the last moment to name Walters in the team ahead of West Brom’s Simon Cox having hinted earlier in the week that that was what he might do, and his faith was fully repaid.

He said: “I’m not God, I don’t speak English very well – I don’t speak Italian very well – and I make many mistakes.

“But after 30 years in football, I think I understand it a little bit.

“For this game and on this pitch, I thought Jon Walters would be important to defend the ball and help the team to come up the pitch.

“Jon showed his quality. We got it right.”

Ireland got most things right as they surged to their biggest competitive win under Trapattoni and Estonia’s hopes were torn apart in cruel fashion.

They were already trailing to Keith Andrews’ 13th-minute header when central defender Andrei Stepanov was booked for a second time and sent off.

But they found themselves 3-0 down to Walters’ 67th-minute header and Robbie Keane’s close-range finish four minutes later before skipper Raio Piiroja joined Stepanov in the dressing room as a result of two cautions in quick succession.

Both will miss Tuesday night’s return in Dublin, as will keeper Sergei Pareiko, who will be suspended as a result of the yellow card he was given for protesting at referee Viktor Kassai’s decision to award an 88th-minute penalty for Ats Purje’s trip on fellow substitute Stephen Hunt.

Keane took his international tally to 53 from the spot to seal a thumping victory.

Trapattoni said: “It will be important in Ireland to confirm the result because there are another 90 minutes to go.

“In those other 90 minutes, we will respect our opponents. They will come with a different mentality, a different attitude and a different performance.

“We must repeat our performance.”

It proved a sobering night in Tallinn for Estonia boss Tarmo Ruutli, whose best-laid plans were ripped up long before half-time.

Asked if the tie was over, he said: “Almost”.

Asked further about the role the referee’s decisions had played in the game, he said: “Of course they played some part in the result, but the first two goals, they were our problem, not the referee’s problem.”

Skipper Robbie Keane is a major doubt for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Armenia on Tuesday

Irish skipper Robbie Keane.

evening.

The 31-year-old was sent for a scan today after complaining of soreness in his abductor muscle following his return from last night’s 2-0 victory in Andorra, although manager Giovanni Trapattoni suggested that was precautionary.

However, the Football Association of Ireland this evening confirmed that his participation in the game could be under threat.

A spokesman said: “Following a medical update after training, Giovanni Trapattoni has said that Robbie Keane is a strong doubt ahead of Tuesday’s match against Armenia.”

If Keane does not make it, that will represent a huge blow to Ireland as they attempt to claim the point they need to book a play-off place.

The LA Galaxy frontman is his country’s record international scorer with 51 goals, although he passed up a series of chances to add to his tally last night.

Keane has embarked upon a series of gruelling trans-Atlantic journeys to play for the Republic since heading to the United States, although he insisted earlier this week that he is feeling no ill effects.

One positive for Trapattoni is that his preferred strike-partner for his skipper, Kevin Doyle, looked to be back to his best last night after regaining his match sharpness following a knee problem, while Jonathan Walters also linked up with the squad today after recovering from an ankle injury.

The free-scoring Armenians stand between Trapattoni’s Republic and a place in the play-offs in after Russia effectively ended their hopes of snatching automatic qualification by beating Slovakia.

Should the Russians beat Andorra in Moscow on Tuesday, even victory for the Irish will secure only second place in Group B.

Barring a shock of monumental proportions, Trapattoni’s men seem likely to have to be satisfied with yet another play-off adventure, and a point against Armenia would keep the group’s dark horses at bay.

The Armenians, who lost 1-0 at home to Ireland in the first round of qualifiers in September last year, have won each of their last three games, against Andorra, Slovakia and Macedonia, and scored 11 goals in the process.

But asked if he had been surprised by their late surge, Trapattoni said: “No. Maybe if you know the players who play for Armenia, it is not a surprise.

“The Armenian players play in strong leagues, and some of our players play in the Championship.

“If you think about it, it is no surprise.

“We must play with 100% mentality and 100% attitude and 100% concentration, and be careful of silly mistakes.

“We are in this position because of one or two silly mistakes against Russia, for example.

“Armenia is a very, very strong team. They have scored more goals than us and we must pay very, very much attention.”

The 72-year-old Italian will send his team into their final group game with his own future still undecided amid speculation that he will be offered an extended contract should he guide them to the play-offs.

However, as his second qualifying campaign draws to a close – the first ended in a controversial aggregate defeat by France which denied him a trip to the World Cup in South Africa – Trapattoni is confident significant progress has been made.

He said: “At this stage, I hope I have succeeded in instilling a mentality in our players.

“Unfortunately, I am quite demanding because in the past, I have built this mentality with teams I have previously managed.

“I am very pleased with our way, but we can improve again.

“Yesterday evening, I said we want to look at Manchester United. Obviously, we do not have the players of Manchester United, but with their mentality, with attitude, with balance, I think we can achieve.”

Ireland’s Rugby World Cup exit was unfolding as Trapattoni and his players touched down in Dublin during the early hours of this morning following a gruelling trip back from Andorra.

Trapattoni said: “I am sorry that Ireland lost in rugby against Wales because Brian O’Driscoll and his team are our friends and we wished them to do well.

“But sport is sport and it teaches us that when we have the right mentality, we can achieve every result.”

The nation had been swathed in optimism in the run-up to the quarter-final, but as O’Driscoll and his team-mates prepare to head home, attention will turn to their football counterparts once again.

However, that is a pressure Trapattoni is happy to take on.

He said: “In the first qualifying campaign for the World Cup, we deserved to achieve the minimum of a play-off place.

“You saw the games against France and with a bit of luck – or without bad luck – we could have achieved this.

“We feel this pressure. No, it’s not pressure, it is commitment.”

Left-back Stephen Ward is suspended for Tuesday’s game as a result of his second booking of the competition, but Richard Dunne is available after completing his ban.

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is convinced there is another twist to come as the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign reaches the point of no return.

Ireland head into tonight’s Group B clash with minnows Andorra (Setanta Sports, from 9.30am Saturday, delayed) knowing a maximum haul from that game and Tuesday night’s visit of Armenia to the Aviva Stadium will guarantee them a play-off place at worst.

However, should Slovakia beat leaders Russia in Zilina tonight, six points would send Giovanni Trapattoni’s men to next summer’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Keane said: “These two games are huge and we have come into them desperate to get the six points to guarantee the play-off.

“But I still think there is a twist here somewhere along the line – and I hope it’s not for us. Hopefully, Slovakia can do us a favour.

“We need to concentrate on our own job and getting six points, focus on tomorrow’s game and getting three points and getting ourselves out of here and looking forward to Tuesday’s game.

“At the start of the campaign, this is what you play for, to be in positions like this.

“Before the campaign, a lot of people would have probably accepted this, but there is still a little twist, I think.”

The shoot-out in Slovakia kicks off before the Republic get underway in the Pyrenees, and while Keane knows avoiding news of what is going on in Zilina may prove difficult, he insists he and his team-mates cannot allow it to distract them.

Keane said: “Eventually, we will find out somehow, but it’s important that we focus on what we are doing rather than looking at Slovakia and Russia.

“I am sure somewhere along the line, someone will say something to us, but it’s important that the players focus on our own job at hand because by no means is this going to be a walk-over.

“It’s going to be a tough game with the conditions and what have you, so we need to be totally 100% focussed on exactly what we have to do. That’s the most important thing.”

Those conditions involve playing on a tight, uneven pitch at 1100m above sea level in front of a crowd which is expected to total only around 800.

Keane has recent experience of playing at altitude with LA Galaxy, but he is adamant that both that and the state of the pitch are largely irrelevant.

He said: “I played a couple of weeks ago. We played a Mexican team and it was quite high altitude.

“In the first 15 minutes of the warm-up, the fitness coaches were telling us to make sure we got a good sweat on first and try to get past that stage where you are breathing quite heavily.

“It’s completely different, but a lot of players have played in it before.

“I haven’t seen the pitch yet, but apparently it’s not too good, so you are not going to be popping the ball about like Barcelona. It’s important to play to our strengths and play to how the pitch is.

“For us, it is just about getting three points and getting out of here.

“It’s very important that we keep focussed and defend well as a team. If we score in the first minute or whether it’s the 80th minute, it doesn’t really matter as long as we come out of here with a win.”

Ireland arrived in Andorra looking for an eighth successive clean sheet, although tomorrow night’s game is likely to unfold very differently to the 90 minutes in Russia which ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw.

Keane said: “We didn’t play particularly well in Russia – we got battered, let’s be totally honest.

“They played really, really well and had a lot of chances. We didn’t play well, but the most important thing is we got a point out there, and that could be crucial.”

LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena congratulates Keane after his debut. (Pic: (AP/Jae C. Hong).

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane’s LA adventure has gotten off to a dream start after he scored 21 minutes into his Major League Soccer debut as LA Galaxy beat San Jose 2-0.

Keane waltzed on to a David Beckham free-kick and rounded visiting goalkeeper Jon Busch before celebrating with his trademark cartwheel.

In the 64th minute, he almost netted a second, out-pacing two defenders before sending his shot just over the crossbar.

The 31-year-old Dubliner left the pitch in the 72nd minute to a standing ovation from the 27,000 crowd at the Home Depot Centre.

Keane said: “It couldn’t have gone better for me. When you come to a new team, it’s always good to get the first goal.

“When you go a few games without a goal, it starts to play on your mind.”

Keane was named in the starting line-up despite training only once with his new team since moving from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £3.5m.

Beckham was delighted with Keane’s contribution, saying: “I knew he was going to be running, and I knew where to put it.

“He’s a player who knows where to run, and if you’re on the same wavelength as him, you’ve got a real good chance. He’s always going to make good runs, and it’s up to us to find him.”

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said: “We’re elated with Robbie. I think he had a great 70 minutes tonight, and he’s going to have a lot more.

“I know Robbie’s fitness isn’t perhaps where he wants it to be, but he’s a fit athlete. When he gets two or three games under his belt, he’s going to be fine.”

Meanwhile LA Galaxy’s owner, AEG, which is shelling out the $9m in salary and transfer fees, will also be encouraged by the news that by full-time, all merchandise bearing the name of Robbie Keane had sold out.

Keane had been left out in the cold at Tottenham. (Pic: Peter Byrne/PA

Robbie Keane has completed his transfer to the Los Angeles Galaxy, Tottenham announced this evening.

Keane had been in discussions with the MLS club over a move after it became clear that he was surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane.

The Republic of Ireland captain admitted earlier this week that he thought his time at Tottenham was coming to an end, and the move to join David Beckham’s team in a £3.5million transfer was finally completed this evening.

“Tottenham can announce that it has reached agreement with Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy for the permanent transfer of Robbie Keane,” a statement on the Spurs website read this evening.

Negotiations between the two parties had been held up by MLS rules, which state that any franchise must have only three high-earning squad members, known as “designated players”.

The Galaxy currently have David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel registered as theirs, but former Aston Villa striker Angel is thought to be negotiating a release from the club.

Keane’s departure brings to an end his second spell at White Hart Lane.

The 31-year-old made 254 appearances for Spurs during his first stint between 2002 and 2008, during which time he scored 107 goals and quickly became a fans’ favourite.

He then moved to Liverpool for £20million but returned to north London within six months after failing to impress at Anfield.

Keane played regularly under Harry Redknapp during his first season back but the arrival of Rafael Van der Vaart last summer reduced his first-team opportunities and he was shipped out on loan to West Ham, where he failed to impress.

:: Beckham’s recommendation

Keane revealed that a chat with new team-mate Beckham was key to persuading him to move to the United States.

“I am delighted, honoured and very excited to be joining the LA Galaxy,” Keane told The Galaxy’s website.

“I have always wanted to come and play in MLS so it’s the perfect combination for me and a dream come true.

“My family and I have already been made to feel very welcome in telephone calls from (Galaxy owner) Tim Leiweke and (manager) Bruce Arena.

“Also when David Beckham came and trained at Spurs (in January) recently he couldn’t speak highly enough about the Galaxy, their fans and the league in general, so I can’t wait to get over and get started.”

Keane played poorly while at West Ham, scoring twice in 10 appearances as the Hammers were relegated.

But the former Inter Milan striker, who is joining his ninth club, is confident he will be good enough to score goals in the MLS though and is looking forward to the challenge.

“I have already discussed football with Bruce Arena and I know exactly what he wants from me,” Keane added. “I am fit, fresh and ready to go. I’ve come here to score goals and help this team achieve their goals.

“This is a massive opportunity for me in my career. I aim to grab it with both hands and hopefully help give the Galaxy fans what they want.”

Arena, whose side currently top the Western Conference of the MLS, added: “Robbie Keane will be a great addition to our club. I have followed his career and have always respected his ability as a competitor and a goalscorer.

“I believe that he brings qualities in and around the penalty area that we have been lacking. Hopefully, he will be another piece of the puzzle in our quest for the Supporters’ Shield and an MLS Cup championship as well as to advance to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions League.”

Robbie Keane scores Ireland's first against Macedonia during their Euro 2012 qualifier in Skopje. (Pic: Niall Carson/PA)

Robbie Keane became the first player from Great Britain and Ireland to score 50 senior international goals when he blasted the Republic into an eighth-minute lead in Skopje last night, and his nerveless 37th-minute strike made sure of three precious Euro 2012 qualifying points.

The 30-year-old’s contribution in his 108th appearance was all the more impressive as he had to have a pain-killing injection in his groin before kick-off, and he was clearly labouring as an energy-sapping contest at the Philip II Stadium drew to a close.

Long, who along with Kevin Doyle, Jonathan Walters and newcomer Simon Cox, is working hard to prove that there will be life after Keane when he eventually hangs up his boots, was full of praise for a man he regards as a role model.

The Reading frontman said: “It’s extraordinary when you look at it — and he hasn’t played that many games as well.

“I think it’s one in two, and close to that ratio is a great record to have in international football.

“It will take some beating.

“He’s brilliant. He turns up to every game he can. Every game he’s called upon, he will do his best to be there.

“Last night, he played with half a leg, really, his groin was gone.

“It shows the desire he has. You don’t score 51 goals for your country without that passion.”

It is a measure of Keane’s commitment to the Ireland cause that he insisted on the eve of last night’s game he would play, despite having limped out of the final training session in Malahide a day earlier.

He was equally adamant that reaching his personal landmark was of secondary importance to securing the victory his side needed to maintain pace with Slovakia and Russia at the top of Group B, but he was delighted to have managed both despite the effect his exertions had on his body.

Asked about his injury, Keane said: “It’s a bit sore now. I had to get an injection before the game, but it’s okay now.

“The last 15 minutes I started to feel it a bit. It’s a little bit sore now, but who cares?

“The other teams won as well, so it was important for us to stay amongst the group, and we did that.

“I thought we were superb. It will probably go down as a great team performance.”

Keane’s double put the visitors in the driving seat, but things might have turned out differently had Ivan Trickovski converted a 40th-minute penalty rather than blasting it against the crossbar.

Even then, goalkeeper Shay Given, who had earlier made a fine first-half save from Macedonia skipper Goran Pandev, clawed substitute Mario Durovski’s 68th-minute effort out of the top corner despite himself having had an injection at half-time to counteract his own groin problem.

Keane said: “I know his groin was sore because I saw him kicking with his left foot. The two of us were struggling, but we managed to get through it and it’s all worthwhile when you get the three points.”

The win set Ireland up perfectly for the September double-header against Slovakia and Russia, which could go a long way towards deciding the outcome of the group.

Long said: “We knew before the game that Russia had won 3-1 and we knew this game was very important to keep on their heels.

“We have got Slovakia and Russia in the next two games and they are massive games.

“But at least we are in a great position now and it’s in our hands.”

In the meantime, the Republic face Italy in a friendly in the Belgian city of Liege on Tuesday evening, with Given and Kevin Kilbane having been released from duty and Keane likely to join them.

:: Hunt eyes ‘big finish’ in remaining qualifiers

Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt is targeting at least four points from the September showdowns with Slovakia and Russia to make his Euro 2012 dream a reality.

The 29-year-old Wolves midfielder played his part in last night’s 2-0 victory in Macedonia which left the Republic firmly in the race for qualification from Group B.

But the Slovakians and the Russians also both won at home to maintain the pressure, and the first round of fixtures next season could have a major say in which of them ultimately heads to Poland and Ukraine next summer.

Having missed out on World Cup qualification in a controversial play-off against France 18 months ago, Hunt is not prepared to leave anything to chance.

He said: “We knew the two of them would probably win, so it was important we won.

“Thankfully we did and we move on to the next one.

“It sets is up for a massive finish. It keeps us in there with Slovakia at home and Russia away.

“We might not have to win the two of them, but if we can get four points it would be massive.”

Robbie Keane and Northern Ireland's Lee Hodson during the Nations Cup match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

Robbie Keane grabbed a double as the Republic of Ireland cruised to a 5-0 win over 10-man Northern Ireland in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin on Tuesday night.

Already the nation’s all-time record goalscorer, Keane claimed his 47th and 48th goals in his 106th appearance for the national team.

At the other end of the scale, Wolves utility man Stephen Ward and West Brom striker Simon Cox marked their debuts with their first international goals, while Craig Cathcart netted an own goal and Adam Thompson saw red.

It proved to be a disappointing night overall for Northern Ireland, who were cheered on by a sparse band of supporters after fans staged a boycott in protest at travelling restrictions placed upon them.

Ward was not in the team that manager Giovanni Trapattoni named to the media, meaning he was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI at the Aviva Stadium.

As Ward and Cox both made their maiden bows for the Republic, teenager Josh Carson was handed his first cap for Northern Ireland and Gareth McAuley was named as captain.

The visitors had the first real chance on goal but Jonny Gorman was well off-target with a shot that he sliced past the post. At the other end, Seamus Coleman’s cross picked out Paul McShane in front of goal but he sent his header flashing past the upright.

The Republic were threatening again when Keith Treacy unleashed an effort from distance but the shot lacked power and it was comfortably smothered by Alan Blayney.

The hosts continued to press and were only denied the opener by the woodwork when Cox cut the ball back for Keith Andrews and his swerving effort smacked off the post.

The home side’s hard work paid off when they took the lead with 24 minutes gone. Treacy played a one-two with Cox from a short corner before whipping into the goal-mouth. Goalkeeper Blayney threw himself at the ball but spilled in front of Ward who rifled home the opener from close range.

The Republic doubled their lead after 37 minutes when Keane pounced on a dreadful pass-back by Lee Hodson before lofting over the goalkeeper and seeing the shot nestle in the bottom corner.

There was further misery for Northern Ireland when Coleman’s ball across the face of goal was forced into the back of his own net by Cathcart a minute before the interval.

The Republic were always favourites to come out on top and added to their tally nine minutes after the restart. Thompson was deemed to have fouled Keane in the box and was given a straight red card by Scottish referee Craig Thomson, before the Tottenham striker dusted himself off and slotted low past Blayney from the penalty spot.

Keane could have claimed a hat-trick with a ferocious volley but, this time, the goalkeeper was up to the task and produced a decent save. Keane was then replaced by Andy Keogh to rapturous applause from the crowd. A commotion then followed in the section housing the Northern Ireland fans, however order was quickly restored by the stewards.

It had been an uneventful night for Shay Given in the Republic goal and he was replaced by David Forde for the final 20 minutes. But Blayney was left picking the ball out of the back of the net again when Cox raced into the box and sent an angled drive past the goalkeeper to complete the rout, before Stephen Hunt’s free-kick crashed off the post late on.

Robbie Keane yesterday (Tuesday) branded Birmingham’s failed bid to buy him as a publicity stunt.

The midlands club pulled out of a move to sign Keane after failing to agree personal terms with the 30-year-old striker, having had a £6million bid accepted by Tottenham.

“It was never going to happen,” said Keane, who also insisted he knew nothing about reports linking him to West Ham.

“I haven’t heard anything at the moment but we will just see what happens.

“But like I said, that Birmingham stuff yesterday was a bit bizarre with a statement coming out from them, which I found very strange.

“A deal was never really on the table, so I just think that Birmingham was looking for a bit of publicity really.”

Keane, who joined Celtic on loan this time last year, admitted he did not know whether he would still be be at Spurs by the end of the transfer window.

He told Sky Sports News: “I’m not too sure – we will have to see what happens.

“There are still a couple of weeks left, so I’m sure we’ll find out by then.”