Keane scores hat-trick, sets a record

Robbie Keane celebrated becoming Ireland's most capped player with a hat-trick on Friday, but for the striker who broke his country's goal scoring record almost a decade ago it was just another game.

Accompanied on to the pitch by his 4-year-old son Robert, who sported a green jersey with "Daddy 30" on his back, Keane notched goals number 57, 58 and 59 for Ireland in its 3-0 qualifying win over the Faroe Islands.

"There was a lot of talk about getting the record caps but that was almost in the back of my mind. For me, it was just another game," Los Angeles Galaxy striker Keane said after winning his 126th cap to overtake goalkeeper Shay Given. "I think all in all it's been a great occasion for everybody (but) I'm glad it's over now. There was a lot of fuss before the game but the most important thing I was doing was concentrating on playing football."

(China Daily 06/09/2013 page7)