Schweinsteiger, Keane make emotional farewells

FRANKFURT — Bastian Schweinsteiger captained Germany for the last time in a 2-0 friendly victory over Finland Wednesday, receiving an emotional send-off to cap a 12-year international career that included the 2014 World Cup title. Schweinsteiger burst into tears as he was honored before kickoff and was cheered nearly every time he touched the ball. The 32-year-old midfielder decided to quit the national team after the European Championship, where Germany lost in the semifinals to host nation France in July. Leaving the match in the 67th minute, Schweinsteiger received another standing ovation. Minutes earlier, a fan managed to run onto the pitch unchallenged and took a selfie with the smiling Schweinsteiger before running off. “I was very touched, I was enjoying every second,” he said. “It was a great honor to play for Germany and you fans.” Germany used a largely second-string lineup and eased past a Finland team that rarely threatened. The match was played at a leisurely pace, with Germany’s goals coming in the second half. Max Meyer broke the deadlock in the 55th and substitute Mesut Ozil completed the win in the 77th. Schweinsteiger made his debut in 2004, in a 2-0 loss to Hungary, and finished with 121 caps. His teammate Lukas Podolski, whose Germany career began at the same time and who also quit after the European Championship, was at the stadium to see his friend off but did not play because of an injury. He will get his farewell match next year. Schweinsteiger didn’t want to give up the captain’s armband and Germany was without a captain for a few minutes, until Thomas Mueller came off the bench with a spare one. [caption id="attachment_81585" align="alignright"] Republic of Ireland’s Robbie Keane and children acknowledge fans after the game at the Aviva
Stadium in Dublin
Wednesday. — Reuters
[/caption]In Dublin, Robbie Keane told his Ireland teammates to never underestimate the honor of playing for their country after he pulled on the green shirt for the final time. The Ireland skipper bowed out with his 68th international goal in his 146th appearance as Oman went down 4-0 in a friendly international in Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Robbie Brady and Jon Walters (2) scored the other goals, as Martin O’Neill’s men gave the 36-year-old veteran the perfect send off. Keane’s 30-minute volley drew the Los Angeles Galaxy hitman level with legendary German striker Gerd Muller at 14th in the international all-time goalscoring charts. The Dubliner proved he still had the nose for goals, but has no regrets about calling time on his career. “No, I won’t regret it,” he said, “it’s the right time. Will I miss it? Of course I will, having put that green jersey on for that long. It was a big part of my life but I don’t think I will sit back and regret it now. “It’s been a pleasure, a privilege and an honour to have played for Ireland. “Nothing beats putting that green jersey on, it’s the best feeling in the world and they should never underestimate it, that’s what I told the players in there. “It’s something I will never forget.” Keane admitted his first half goal was the perfect ending to an emotional week, a strike, he says, the whole country was willing him to score. “It’s been an incredible week, with the amount of messages and support from former players and managers from all around the world,” he said. Keane left the field to a standing ovation in the 57th minute, a moment that appeared to put a lump in the throat of the usually cool Dubliner. “It was always going to be emotional for me and the family, something I will never forget and I appreciate the support and the fans coming out in their numbers,” he said.