THE Republic of Ireland got the draw they needed which puts them into the last 16 of the World Youth Championships finals in Malaysia. The point they took from the Chinese in Alor Setar yesterday ensured they finished runners-up to Ghana in Group C after the Africans had beaten the United States 1-0 in the game which preceded the Irish match in the Stadium Deluraman.

So it's on to Kuala Lumpur today for a game on Wednesday against the runners-up of Group A, Morocco, who shared a scoreless draw with Group winners Uruguay yesterday.

It was a sensational finish for the Irish. Just nine minutes from the end Uruguayan referee Da Rosa Varela sent off goalkeeper Derek O'Connor after booking him for the second time for time-wasting on kick-outs. The referee's action brought a flood of protest from the Irish bench and after the game there were suggestions that a protest would be lodged with FIFA.

But when the FAI delegation leaders Charlie Cahill and Jack Kelly approached FIFA officials on the matter they were told there were no facilities for such a move.

"I think it's a disgrace," declared Irish manager Brian Kerr. "We got absolutely no consideration from that referee and the sending off was most unfair. It is a very difficult decision to take."

O'Connor's dismissal means that he will miss the game in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday along with team captain Thomas Morgan who received his second yellow card of these championships for protesting over a free kick.

But those incidents apart, there was no diminishing the Irish joy and excitement over this draw and the achievement of the team in reaching the last 16 of these prestigious finals for the first time.

"It is quite unbelievable really. It is a tremendous occasion and the boys deserve the highest praise," declared an elated Brian Kerr. "They were terrific out there. They played very well, they kept their composure and were never put off by the pacey start of the Chinese. I am so proud of them."

The Chinese had to win this match to stay in the championships and they started off with that intention in mind. Within 12 minutes they had taken the lead.

In the 27th minute, the Irish hit back for what proved to be their priceless equaliser.

Full back Robbie Ryan set Damien Duff away and he fired over a cross which Michael Cummins hammered to the net.

From then on they began to gain the upperhand. Just four minutes after Cummins had equalised, Fenn did exceptionally well in the penalty area and the ball broke to Cummins and he cracked it off the crossbar.

But this was a performance of team spirit and true grit by a side determined not to lose.