Post by Taxigirl on Feb 19, 2004 12:36:13 GMT
Republic of Ireland midfielder Graham Kavanagh has apologised for injuring Arsenal's Brazilian star Gilberto Silva during the midweek friendly in Dublin.
Kavanagh was involved in tackles that led to the substitutions of Brazilian duo Silva and Kleberson.
The midfielder told BBC Sport: "It wasn't a nasty or malicious challenge, but I apologise if he is injured
"We know it's Brazil but you don't want to show them too much respect because you don't want to fear them."
Republic boss Brian Kerr's team battled for a hard-fought draw with the world champions, and Kavanagh admitted that he had planned to put in a high-octane performance.
Kavanagh said: "I spoke to Kevin Kilbane before the game and we both said that we needed to get our tackles in."
But the Cardiff player insisted he had every right to challenge the Arsenal midfielder.
He said: "The ball was there to be won and I thought, is he going to go for it or isn't he?
"I made my mind up to go for it and I hit him and the ball.
"It was one of those that if he had have gone through with it and gone 50-50 I don't think he would have got hurt.
"He did anyway, though, and I apologise for that because I know what it's like myself to come off in an international.
"Kev said he thought he caught him on his knee and I caught him on his ankle, but I definitely won the ball."