DUBLIN, Ireland (AFP) — The Republic of Ireland beat World Cup Finals qualifiers Paraguay 2-1 here yesterday in a match where the South Americans dominated possession but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.

The Irish, who failed to make the finals in South Africa losing controversially in a two-legged play-off against France, scored both their goals in the first-half through Kevin Doyle and Liam Lawrence, while there was a goal on his debut for Paraguay’s Argentinian-born Lucas Barrios.

The Irish made up for lack of possession in the first-half by taking their chances, while the South American side looked pretty with the ball but did little when in front of goal, especially Barrios.

The hosts had Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz to thank largely for their eighth minute opener as the injury-prone Manchester City forward headed against his own crossbar from Damien Duff’s freekick and desperately tried to make amends by challenging Doyle, but the Wolves striker bundled it over the line.

However, even with that early springboard the Irish were unable to dominate the match, as Paraguay put together some neat passing moves and provoked Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni into registering his dismay frequently on the touchline.

The South Americans rarely, though, threatened Keirin Westwood in the Irish goal with only Jonathan Santana’s long range effort going even close to the goal.

And the Irish made them pay when Liam Lawrence scored near half-time, as he ran onto Doyle’s chest down and rifled it home.

The hosts almost made it 3-0 in the 51st minute as Duff saw a fierce effort repelled by the Paraguay ‘keeper Aldo Bobadilla and veteran striker Robbie Keane failed to knock in the rebound, firing it high over the bar.

This let-off seemed to energise the visitors and they pulled one back in the 58th minute with a nicely worked move as Jonathan Santana played a 1-2 with Claudio Morel, before teeing up Barrios, who made no mistake from just inside the penalty area.