Northern Ireland Fixtures/Results

N. Ireland 4-0 San Marino WC Qualifier

 

Northern Ireland claimed their first win in the World Cup qualifiers with an easy victory over the minnows.

David Healy struck low into the net for his opening goal of the campaign and a blistering shot from Grant McCann made it 2-0 at the break.

Kyle Lafferty slotted in from close range for the third before San Marino's Mauro Marani was red-carded for striking Michael O'Connor in the face.

A cheeky Steve Davis finish 15 minutes from time sealed a vital three points.

O'Connor came in for his first N Ireland start in place of the suspended Jonny Evans and the midfielder should have opened his goalscoring account on four minutes but he sent his eight-yard header over.

The game quickly progressed into a predictable pattern of the homeside attacking and San Marino soaking up the pressure.

Healy toe-poked wide and Davis curled a shot straight at keeper Frederico Valentino before a deserved opener arrived on the half hour.

George McCartney started the move with a surging run down the left before McCann slipped the ball to Healy, who created the space to crack low and off the legs of Simone Bacciocchi and Valentino before finding the net.

Healy wasted a good chance two minutes later when he side-footed wide after Valentino punched his clearance straight at the Sunderland striker.

McCann doubled the lead two minutes before the break, latching on to Healy's lay-off before blasting into the corner from 16 yards.

With the minnows offering virtually nothing in attack the game was effectively settled by half-time.

It was now a case of how many N Ireland could score and Lafferty made it 3-0 after 56 minutes.

Valentino pushed Healy's shot into the path of the Rangers forward, who tapped into an open net. San Marino's task was already beyond them before Marani was shown a straight red card after 63 minutes for striking O'Connor after the pair tangled in midfield.

N Ireland were now enjoying themselves and Lafferty provided the cut-back for his Ibrox team-mate Davis to cheekily flick the ball in at the front-post for the fourth goal in the 75th minute.

The chances continued to the final whistle but the job was done and N Ireland's campaign got the kick-start it desperately needed.

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Northern Ireland: Taylor, Baird, Hughes, McAuley (McGivern 60), McCartney, Gillespie, Davis, O'Connor, McCann (Paterson 72), Healy, Lafferty (Feeney 82).

Subs not used: Mannus, Gault, Shiels, Thompson.

Booked: McAuley, McGivern

Goals: Healy 30, McCann 43, Lafferty 56, Davis 75

San Marino: Federico Valentini, Carlo Valentini, Mauro Marani, Albani, Della Valle, Bacciocchi, Bonini (Fabio Vitaioli 77), Michele Marani, Manuel Marani (Cibelli 86), Selva (Matteo Vitaili 47), Vannucci.

Subs not used: Simonlini, Valli, Nanni, Andreini.

Sent off: Mauro Marani 63

Booked: Della Valle, Carlo Valentini

Referee: Petteri Kari (Finland)

 

Slovenia 2-0 Northern Ireland World Cup Qualifier

Slovenia struck twice in the final 10 minutes to dent Northern Ireland's chances of making the 2010 World Cup.

Kyle Lafferty volleyed wide for the visitors in a scrappy first half and the striker was denied by keeper Samir Handanovic's 64th-minute block.

Jonny Evans squandered another good chance as NI pressed before Slovenia went ahead through Milivoje Novakovic's close-range finish on 84 minutes.

Zlatan Ljubijankic slotted past Maik Taylor seconds later to seal the win.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington made four changes for the game with Steven Davis, Lafferty, Gareth McAuley and Grant McCann returning to the line-up.

Mirnes Sisic fired wide after five minutes, while Slovenia also had a penalty appeal turned down when Chris Baird appeared to push Zlatki Dedic to the floor.

In one of the few clear openings of the first half Lafferty volleyed wide on the turn from McAuley's cross after 20 minutes.

Midway through the first half Davis was booked for a foul on Andrej Komac and referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez had his yellow card out soon afterwards to caution Lafferty and Bostjan Cesar after an off-the-ball incident at a free-kick.

Davis dragged a shot wide seconds later with Lafferty just failing to get a touch to redirect the ball goalwards.

Lafferty sent a weak header well wide just before the break but the Rangers striker was proving a handful for the Slovenia defence.

David Healy finally made an impact on 58 minutes with the Sunderland forward sending his curling shot just over.

Lafferty wasted an excellent chance four minutes later, pouncing on a poor pass and sprinting clear but his underhit shot was blocked by the advancing Samir Handanovic.

Sisic was booked for a late challenge on Baird although the NI player was surprisingly shown a yellow card for diving.

The visitors squandered another clear opportunity from a 78th minute free-kick when Evans got ahead of his marker but from eight yards out he scooped the ball high into the air and the Slovenians cleared.

Slovenia had produced virtually nothing in attack but then scored twice in a minute to claim the three points.

Novakovic connected with an inswinging cross to finish at the back post and then substitute Ljubijankic outmuscled Evans before sliding the beyond Taylor and into the net.

Evans was booked in injury-time for a late challenge and the Manchester United player is now suspended for Wednesday's qualifier against San Marino in Belfast.

The defeat leaves N Ireland with just one point from their three qualifiers and lying fifth in Group Three.

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Slovenia: Handanovic, Brecko, Komac, Suler, Cesar, Sisic, Koren, Novakovic, Dedic (Ljubijankic 68), Kirm (Matic 90), Ilic.

Subs Not Used: Seliga, Morec, Jokic, Zlogar.

Booked: Cesar, Sisic, Komac, Kirm.

Goals: Novakovic 84, Ljubijankic 85.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, McCartney, Evans, Baird, Gillespie, Davis, Healy, Lafferty, McCann (McGivern 73), Hughes.

Subs Not Used: Mannus, O'Connor, Feeney, Shiels, Paterson, Thompson.

Booked: Davis, Lafferty, Baird, McCartney, Evans.

Att: 12,385

Referee: Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez (Spain)

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BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Slovenia's Zlatan Ljubijankic 9.00 (on 90 minutes).

Slovakia 2-1 N Ireland

 

Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign got off to a disappointing start with a 2-1 defeat in Slovakia.

Martin Skrtel scored in the 46th minute with a glancing header and Robert Vittek headed down for Marek Hamsik to fire home a low shot after 70 minutes.

Jan Durica put the ball past his own goalkeeper on 81 minutes and late in the game Stefan Senecky produced a fine save from a Warren Feeney drive.

David Healy saw his shot blocked in the sixth minute, Sammy Clingan then had a left-foot shot easily saved and Chris Baird headed over from a Keith Gillespie corner.

Slovakia enjoyed a period of possession without troubling Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maik Taylor until Jakubko's header from a left-wing cross was disallowed.

Martin Petras then headed wide from eight yards when left unmarked in the 40th minute.

Healy fired wide of the post after collecting a Steve Davis pass two minutes before the break, the striker shooting from 20 yards out when he could have taken the ball on.

Marek Sapara provided a sweeping right-foot cross from the left for Liverpool defender Skrtel to head in a minute after half-time.

George McCartney had a chance to equalise but his free header from 12 yards from a Keith Gillespie corner went over the bar.

Feeney replaced Keith Gillespie and soon after Martin Paterson shot straight at Senecky, before being substituted in favour of Chris Brunt.

Northern Ireland were denied a penalty in the 69th minute when Chris Baird's shot appeared to strike the hand of a Slovakian defender but the referee waved play on.

Hamsik netted the second and then almost added a third for the home side.

Durica's own-goal gave Nigel Worthington's men hope but in the final minute Senecky pushed Feeney's header over the bar and then McCartney saw his headed effort from a corner easily dealt with by the goalkeeper.

Slovakia: Senecky, Durica, Skrtel, Pekarik, Martin Petras, Karhan, Kozak, Jakubko, Hamsik, Sapara, Vittek.

Subs: Mucha, Novak, Zabavnik, Svento, Mintal, Obzera, Sebo.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Baird, Hughes, Craigan, McCartney, Evans, Davis, Gillespie, Clingan, Paterson, Healy.

Subs: Mannus, McAuley, Brunt, McGivern, Shiels, Thompson, Feeney.

Referee: Nikolai Ivanov (Russia)

Att: 5,445

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Northern Ireland's Martin Paterson 6.42 (on 90 minutes).

 

Northern Ireland 4-1 Georgia International Friendly

A Kyle Lafferty double helped Northern Ireland to a comfortable friendly win at Windsor Park on Wednesday night.

The Burnley striker slotted in from a Steven Davis pass before David Healy's deflected shot made

it 2-0.

Lafferty headed in his second on 36 minutes but Georgia pulled one back through Healy's own-goal after Maik Taylor pushed a penalty onto a post.

Linfield forward Peter Thompson scored his first NI goal with a close-range finish three minutes from time.

There was a memorable moment just before kick-off when Uefa president Michel Platini presented Healy with a special award for scoring a record 13 goals during the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

It took 15 minutes before Northern Ireland began to spark and not surprisingly Healy was at the centre of the action.

The Fulham striker went close four times before playing a part in the 25th minute opener.

Healy pounced on a mistake and pushed the ball forward for Davis, whose perfect pass left Lafferty to provide the side-foot finish from 12 yards.

Healy doubled the lead seven minutes later when he drove forward before unleashing which defected off AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze and past keeper Georgi Makaridze.

Nigel Worthington's team struck again on 36 minutes with Lafferty getting in front of his marker to powerfully head in from Healy's pinpoint cross.

Worthington made two half-time changes with Crewe's Michael O'Connor coming on for his debut in place of Damien Johnson and Lafferty making way for Warren Feeney.

But O'Connor made a nightmare start to his senior international career when he handled a 55th cross to concede a penalty.

Taylor pushed Levan Tskitishvili's spot-kick onto a post but Healy slid the ball into his own net as he came in to clear the rebound.

Linfield midfielder Michael Gault became the second Northern Ireland debutant as he and clubmate Thompson came on for Healy and Davis on 70 minutes.

Georgia fashioned two good chances with Taylor saving from Alexandre Iashvili and Levan Kenia strikes.

Alan Mannus replaced Taylor with 10 minutes left to make it a trio of players from Irish League side Linfield on the pitch.

Thompson got the final touch from an Aaron Hughes header to take the ball over the line and complete the scoring on 87 minutes.

The Linfield man became the first Irish League player since 1984 to score for Northern Ireland - the last was Lee Doherty, who also played for the Belfast club.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Baird, Hughes, Craigan, Evans, Gillespie, Johnson, Davis, Elliott, Healy, Lafferty.

Georgia: Makaridze, Salukvadze, Kaladze, Kenia, Shashiashvili, Kobiashvili, Tskitishvili, Kankava, Kvakhadze, Kvirkvelia, Iashvili.

Wednesday 21st November 2007 - Spain 1-0 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's hopes of reaching the Euro 2008 finals disappeared when they fell to Spain in Las Palmas.

Nigel Worthington's side needed to win to have any chance of qualifying but they were beaten by a deflected shot seven minutes into the second half.

Xavi's strike from long range came off the head of defender Stephen Craigan giving keeper Maik Taylor no chance.

As things turned out, Northern Ireland could not have gone through anyway as Sweden beat Latvia 2-1.

Despite the disappointment, Northern Ireland will look back on their 12-match series with a sense of achievement.

Considering they failed to even score a goal in their last European qualifying, the current side has progressed well under Nigel Worthington and, before him, Lawrie Sanchez.

However, they rarely looked like pulling off a shock win away to Spain who bossed most of the match.

Xavi cracked an shot wide of Maik Taylor's post after two minutes and Spain had valid claims for a penalty waved away after Craigan looked to have brought David Silva down.

Northern Ireland striker Healy made space for himself only to see his effort from just outside the area go over the bar.

There was little respite, however, and Sergio Ramos found the side netting in the 21st minute following a neat through ball from Cesc Fabregas.

Taylor then did well in the 40th minute to claw away a cross from Andres Iniesta after it took a sudden deflection.

Spain went ahead with Northern Ireland cursing their luck.

Taylor seemed to have Xavi's 25-yard effort covered but he was left wrong-footed after it took a deflection off Craigan.

Spain should have extended their lead two minutes later but Silva shot wastefully wide from a great position.

As Northern Ireland poured forward in search of an equaliser, gaps were opening in their defence.

Taylor had to be sharp off his line to thwart the onrushing Joaquin five minutes from full-time as the Spaniards looked to kill off the game.

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Spain: Reina, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Pablo, Pernia, Iniesta, Xavi (Villa 67), Fabregas (Joaquin 47), Senna, Silva, Guiza (Tamudo 57).

Subs not used: Casillas, Puyol, Albelda, Riera.

Goal: Xavi 52.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Craigan, Hughes, Baird, Sproule (Robinson 61), Clingan, Davis, Brunt (Lafferty 59), Healy, Feeney (Paterson 72).

Subs not used: Mannus, Webb, Capaldi, Hamilton.

Booked: Healy, Lafferty.

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)

Saturday 17th November 2007 - Northern Ireland 2-1 Denmark

Northern Ireland striker David Healy scored a spectacular winner against Denmark to become the record scorer in a European qualifying campaign.

He scored his 13th goals of the campaign with a brilliant chip 10 minutes from time at Windsor Park.

In difficult conditions, the Danes had taken the lead in the 51st minute when Nicklas Bendtner poked in.

Warren Feeney headed in an equaliser 10 minutes later to set the stage for Healy's stunning strike.

Northern Ireland will go to Spain on Wednesday still with an outside chance of making the Euro 2008 finals.

Even if they beat the Spaniards they would need Latvia to take all three points against Sweden.

Whatever happens, the victory over Denmark was the perfect reward for another fine display by Northern Ireland.

However, the match almost did not take place at all after a lengthy torrential downpour.

It was not until five minutes before the kick-off that Dutch referee Pieter Vink finally decided the match could go ahead even though there was surface water in most areas of the pitch and it was still raining heavily.

The conditions were farcical in the early stages with the ball often being held up in puddles of water.

Denmark almost took the lead on 13 minutes but Dennis Rommedahl skied his back-post effort high and wide.

David Healy then tested Jesper Christiansen but the goalkeeper pushed away his effort and then Jonny Evans headed narrowly wide following a corner.

Keith Gillespie was then booked for a challenge on Chris Sorensen and he will miss the match against Spain.

Denmark tok the lead in the 51st minute through Arsenal striker Bendtner.

He beat seveal defenders to the ball to toe-poke in after a long throw from Leon Andreasen.

But Northern Ireland found the perfect response 10 minutes later with Chris Brunt delivering from the left flank for Feeney to get in at the near post to head in the equaliser.

Feeney almost got his fourth international goal just three minutes later only to see his dipping half-volley from 35 yards strike an upright.

And Healy's record-breaking goal, when the Fulham forward chipped keeper Jesper Christiansen, saw him overtake Croatia's Davor Suker who scored 12 in the Euro 96 qualifying campaign.

In the process the Fulham forward took his overall tally to 33 goals in 61 internationals.

Denmark piled on the pressure at the end, hitting a post and then having a good penalty claim turned down for a hand ball by Sammy Clingan.

But fortune smiled on Northern Ireland and they held on for only their second-ever victory over Denmark.

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Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Evans, Hughes, Craigan, Clingan, Gillespie, Davis, Brunt, Healy, Feeney.

Subs: Mannus, Baird, Sproule, Capaldi, Hamilton, Robinson, Paterson.

Denmark: Thomas Sorensen, Priske, Chris Sorensen, Martin Laursen, Kroldrup, Christian Poulsen, Andreasen, Kahlenberg, Rommedahl, Jorgensen, Bendtner.

Subs: Andersen, Niclas Jensen, Ulrik Laursen, Wurtz, Simon Poulsen, Larsen, Dennis Sorensen.

Referee: Pieter Vink (Holland)

Wednesday 17th October 2007 - Sweden1-1 Northern Ireland

Ivan Sproule shields the ball from Anders Svensson in Stockholm

A stunning individual goal by Kyle Lafferty earned Northern Ireland a deserved 1-1 draw in their

Euro 2008 Group F qualifier in Stockholm.

Olof Mellberg gave Sweden a 15th-minute lead when he volleyed home from close range after

Kim Kallstrom flicked on a Tobias Linderoth free-kick.

Lafferty equalised on 72, beating two defenders and curling a right-foot shot into the top corner

of the net.

The result maintains Northern Ireland's mathematical hopes of qualification.

Nigel Worthington's side received a pre-match boost when Freddie Ljungberg failed to start for

the home side because of a lingering calf injury, Kallstrom taking his place.

Lafferty was well wide with a fourth-minute right foot shot and then Gareth McAuley made a great challenge on Johan Elmander as he bore in on goal.

Lafferty then conceded the free-kick for Linderoth's free-kick which saw Mellberg sneak ahead of Aaron Hughes to apply the finish.

A minute later Healy's free-kick was palmed away by Andreas Isaksson and soon after Lafferty was yellow-carded for an innocuous challenge, meaning he will miss the next match against Denmark through suspension.

Maik Taylor palmed away a Zlatan Ibrahimovic right-foot shot on 28 minutes and Healy's 31st-minute overhead kick just cleared the bar.

Elmander chipped a shot wide of the post before the interval.

Chris Brunt shot just over the bar with a left-foot shot from 25 yards out after 59 minutes and Isaksson smothered a Healy effort before Lafferty levelled with his fine solo goal.

Kallstrom hit the bar with a free-kick six minutes from time and with a minute remaining Healy got his toe to a cross from the left but was just off target.

Ibrahimovic headed just wide when well placed in the final minute and Healy shot straight at the keeper in added time.

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Sweden: Isaksson, Concha, Mellberg, Hansson, Edman, Linderoth, Svensson, Wilhelmsson, Kallstrom, Ibrahimovic, Elmander.

Subs: Shaaban, Nilsson, Majstorovic, Johansson, Allback, Rosenberg, Ljungberg.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Hughes, McCartney, Craigan, Davis, Clingan, Brunt, Healy, Sproule, Lafferty.

Subs: Mannus, McCann, Webb, Jones, Capaldi, Robinson, Hamilton.

Referee: Bertrand Layec (France)

Wednesday 12th September 2007 - Iceland 2-1 Northern Ireland

A Keith Gillespie own goal a minute from time condemned Northern Ireland to a

 devastating defeat in this Euro 2008 qualifier in wet and windy Reykjavik.

Armann Smari Bjornnson fired into the roof of the net to give Iceland a sixth minute lead.

Northern Ireland bossed possession and Chris Brunt hit the crossbar before David Healy

scored a deserved equaliser from the penalty spot on 72nd minutes.

But Gillespie turned the ball into his own net in an agonising finish.

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington made two changes from Saturday's 1-0 defeat in Latvia with Brunt replacing Stuart Elliott in left midfield and striker Warren Feeney coming in for Kyle Lafferty.

And it was Feeney who provided the first goalmouth action with Arni Gautur Arason pushing clear the Cardiff player's fierce shot in the opening minute.

Iceland took the lead with their first attack - a long ball sailed over the visitor's defence and Bjornsson provided the cool finish from Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson's intelligent cut-back.

Bjornsson was booked for a late challenge on Jonny Evans on 19 minutes.

Northern Ireland began to convert their superior possession into chances midway through the half.

Three opportunities came in six minutes, starting with Sammy Clingan curling his 18-yard effort just wide.

Arason's poor fisted clearance presented Evans with an open goal but the Manchester United defender fired over.

An Evans header three minutes later was goalbound but the ball flicked off a defender's head and flew over.

Feeney fouled Arason as the keeper cleared just before the break and the resulting yellow card means he is banned for the trip to Sweden next month.

Brunt was denied by the woodwork just minutes after the restart when he blistering strike from 30 yards smashed against the bar.

Iceland had produced nothing in attack since scoring so it was no surprise to see Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen enter the fray after 53 minutes with Bjornsson making way.

Northern Ireland began to step up the pressure but Healy and Brunt both failed to make the most of free-kicks in good positions.

Michael Duff found the ball at his feet from a corner but only managed to poke the ball straight at Arason.

The visitor's finally made the breakthrough when Healy picked himself up after being brought by Kari Arnason to dispatch his penalty into the corner of the net.

Worthington brought on Grant McCann and Steve Jones late in the game as his team chased a winner.

N Ireland skipper Chris Baird will also miss the Stockholm qualifier after being yellow carded for a heavy challenge.

A point was the least N Ireland deserved but with just 60 seconds left Gillespie diverted Gretar Steinson's low cross into the net from six yards.

Worthington's team would have gone top with a victory but they remain three points behind Sweden, who have a game in hand.

Iceland: Arason, Kristjan Orn Sigurdsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Ingimarsson, Hreidarsson, Arnason, Vidarsson, Steinsson, Hallfredsson, Thorvaldsson, Bjornsson.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Baird, Duff, Evans, McCartney, Gillespie, Clingan, Davis, Brunt, Healy, Feeney.

Referee: Yuri Baskakov (Russia)

Saturday 8th September 2007 - Latvia 1-0 Northern Ireland

A CHRIS Baird own goal ten minutes into the second half ensured Northern Ireland emerged empty handed from the first part of their crucial Euro 2008 double-header tonight in Latvia.

The Northern Ireland skipper turned the ball into his net whilst attempting to beat Imants Bleidelis to a Maris Verpakouskis ball played across the face of goal but unfortunately he directed his clearance the wrong side of Maik Taylor's upright.

It was a largely unavoidable goal, though, because if Baird hadn't connected to it Bleidelis surely would.

The defeat is a massive blow to our hopes of reaching the finals next summer but it was a result that did not reflect the balance of play.

Northern Ireland dominated significant parts of the game but an uncharacteristic weakness in front of goal was ultimately to prove costly.

Keith Gillespie had the first effort of note on 27 minutes but after bursting through the midfield he finished poorly while, four minutes later, David Healy failed to trouble 'keeper Andris Vanins with an effort from the right side of the area while a later shot from the Fulham striker suffers the same fate.

After the break Latvia looked to be more in control but it was still Northern Ireland who looked the more likely to open the scoring when, on 53 minutes, Kyle Lafferty created some space on the edge of the area only for his effort to sail past the right hand upright.

Unfortunately Northern Ireland were hit by that sucker punch a couple of minutes later, a goal Baird could really have done nothing about.

And it might have been 2-0 on 63 minutes when Verpakouskis found himself clear only to slice his shot.

With the game moving into the final quarter Northern Ireland really needed to pull something out of the hat and they almost did so on 72 minutes when a Warren Feeney cross was met by the head of Healy but Vanins proved equal to the threat.

Then, on 81 minutes, a potentially dangerous Keith Gillespie cross was cleared by the home defence before a Chris Brunt effort a couple of minutes later snaps past the post.

Perhaps the chance of the game for the visitors came with a minute of normal time remaining when a Johnny Evans point blank header is superbly parried away by the Latvian keeper - a stunning reflex save because he mustn't have known much about it given the speed and power behind the ball.

Ultimately it proved to be Northern Ireland's last real effort on goal.

A trip to Reykjavik awaits on Wednesday night, a game from which no less than a maximum return must be gleaned if Euro 2008 is to remain a reality.

Wednesday 22nd August 2007 - Northern Ireland 3-1 Liechtenstein

 

Northern Ireland moved second in their Euro 2008 qualifying group after a comfortable win in Nigel Worthington's first game as manager.

David Healy was again the talisman with two first-half strikes.

Healy headed in the opener from Keith Gillespie's cross before netting his 31st international goal with a superb curling effort from 20 yards.

Kyle Lafferty's powerful shot made it 3-0 while Liechtenstein striker Mario Frick scored a late consolation goal.

Fulham forward Healy dragged a first-minute shot wide before netting with his next chance four minutes later.

Tenacious work from Lafferty provided the space for Gillespie to send in a pin-point cross with Healy directing the ball inside the near-post.

Northern Ireland made a bright start but were given a scare on 18 minutes when Mario Frick was left free eight yards out but the striker sent his header too close to Maik Taylor, who collected at the second attempt.

Lafferty should have doubled the lead after 31 minutes but the Burnley teenager managed to head wide at the back-post from Chris Brunt's cross.

Healy showed how to finish three minutes later, intercepting Michael Stocklasa's slack free-kick before curling the ball from 20 yards beyond a motionless Peter Jehle.

Worthington's men continued to press to half-time and there was no change after the interval as N Ireland went in search of another goal.

The third was another classy strike - the returning George McCartney sent in the perfect centre for Lafferty, who made up for his earlier miss by controlling the ball before drilling low and hard past Jehle from 10 yards.

Gillespie was having another sparkling game on the right and Fabio D'Elia could only stop the Sheffield United winger with a rash challenge which resulted in a booking.

Warren Feeney replaced goalscorer Lafferty with 15 minutes left as Worington freshened up his attack.

Steve Davis wasted a good opening on 81 minutes when he volleyed over after the ball slipped out of Jehle's hands.

Frick netted with a just a minute left, his initial shot cleared off the line by Stephen Craigan but he pounced on the loose ball to smash low into the net.

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Northern Ireland: Taylor, Duff, Baird, Craigan, McCartney, Gillespie, Clingan, Davis, Brunt, Healy, Lafferty.

Liechtenstein: Jehle, Michael Stocklasa, Martin Stocklasa, Telser, D'Elia, Polverino, Ronny Buchel, Daniel Frick, Biedermann, Rohrer, Mario Frick.

Referee: Radek Matejek (Czech Republic)

Wednesday 28th March 2007 - Northern Ireland 2-1 Sweden

Northern Ireland replaced Sweden at the top of their Euro 2008 qualifying group after a David Healy double gave them another famous victory at Windsor Park.

The visitors took a 27th-minute lead when Johan Elmander held off Aaron Hughes before firing past Maik Taylor.

Healy levelled four minutes later with a superb strike from 18 yards and won it with a near-post finish from Damien Johnson's cross on 59 minutes.

Stephen Craigan nearly scored an own goal after his clearance hit a post.

The Belfast fans were in full voice as the game started at a frantic pace.

There was plenty of effort but creating chances was proving a problem in what was becoming a physical battle.

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was first to go close on 23 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick which drifted just wide.

Michael Duff was presented with Northern Ireland's first opening two minutes later but headed well over from a Chris Brunt corner.

The visitors took the lead with the first good move after 27 minutes, which finished with Elmander using his strength to create space before netting from close range.

The equaliser came just four minutes later and it was a superb strike from the prolific Healy, who sent a dipping shot into the top corner from 18 yards.

Johnson picked up the first booking seven minutes from the break after a trip on Freddie Ljungberg.

Sweden looked more potent early in the second half and Grant McCann had to clear off the line from Ibrahimovich's 54th minute header.

But it was Northern Ireland who struck next and again it was Healy, meeting Johnson's cross at the nearpost and flicking the ball beyond a diving Iasaksson.

Lawrie's Sanchez's side were also having a bit of luck as Craigan sent an attempted clearance crashing against a post and out to safety on 69 minutes.

Sweden pressed for the equaliser and Ibrahimovich shot over before Ljungberg and Elmander wasted good opportunities.

Healy could have made it a second hat-trick in two games but his fierce shot went straight at Andreas Isaksson.

The Leeds United forward, who has scored nine goals in the qualifying campaign, received a standing ovation after being substituted in the dying seconds.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Duff, Hughes, Craigan, Evans, Johnson, McCann, Davis, Brunt (Sproule 90), Healy (Webb 89), Feeney (Lafferty 79).

Subs Not Used: Carroll, Quinn, Elliott, Jones.

Booked: Johnson.

Goals: Healy 31, 58.

Sweden: Isaksson, Nilsson, Mellberg (Majstorovic 69), Hansson, Edman, Alexandersson (Wilhelmsson 61), Andersson, Svensson (Kallstrom 45), Ljungberg, Ibrahimovic, Elmander.

Subs Not Used: Shaaban, Von Schlebrugge, Bakircioglu, Rosenberg.

Goals: Elmander 26.

Att: 14,500.

Ref: Eric Braamhaar (Holland).

Saturday 24th March 2007 Liechtenstein 1-4 Northern Ireland

David Healy scored a hat-trick as Northern Ireland beat Liechtenstein 4-1 in their Euro 2008 qualifier in Vaduz.

Healy found the empty net on 52 minutes when the ball fell to him after Peter Jehle had saved Kyle Lafferty's shot.

Keith Gillespie sent the striker through for his second after 74 and Steve Davis provided the pass for Healy to slot home his third goal on 82.

Franz Burgmeier fired home a curling right foot shot on 90 but Grant McCann headed in Gillespie's cross at the end.

Davis and Healy tested the Liechtenstein goalkeeper with early long-range efforts while at the other end Burgmeier's 20-yard attempt was easily dealt with by Maik Taylor.

Gillespie was yellow carded for raising his elbow in a challenge with Martin Stocklasa, ruling the winger out of Wednesday's game against Sweden.

Soon after the Sheffield United player saw his goalbound curling 20-yard right-foot shot pushed wide by Jehle.

Before the break Raphael Rohrer had a shot blocked by Stephen Craigan and Burgmeier headed over the bar from a pinpoint Mario Frick cross.

Frick put in another dangerous cross at the start of the second half but no-one could latch onto the dangerman's delivery.

Johnson then provided the through ball for Lafferty to shoot, Jehle made the save but the ball broke kindly to Healy who fired home to break the deadlock.

Taylor blocked a Frick drive at the other end and Rohrer sliced an effort wide when well placed in front of goal.

Stocklosa fired wide after Taylor dropped a cross before Healy netted his second of the game.

The forward became the first Northern Ireland player to score two hat-tricks when he directed the ball between the keeper's legs and then Davis met a Gillespie cross but Jehle was equal to the task on this occasion.

Burgmeier denied Taylor a clean sheet with a fine strike after cutting in with his right foot and then McCann, who replaced Chris Brunt on 67 minutes, nodded in to make it 4-1 in the dying moments.

 

Tuesday 6th February 2007 - Northern Ireland 0-0 Wales

Northern Ireland and Wales failed to produce a goal in Tuesday's low-key friendly international at Windsor Park.

Kyle Lafferty's poor first touch saw him waste an early Northern Ireland chance while Chris Brunt also tested Wales keeper Danny Coyne.

Substitute Grant McCann hit the Welsh crossbar in the second half as Northern Ireland started to exert control.

Jason Koumas showed some neat touches but the Welsh were badly missing the class of the absent Ryan Giggs.

With David Healy out because of injury, Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez paired Lafferty and Ivan Sproule up front for the game watched by a 14,000 full house.

Wales boss John Toshack decided not to risk captain Giggs in the freezing conditions while highly-rated Southampton defender Gareth Bale was only on the bench.

The best chance of the opening half fell to Lafferty in the third minute but he was unable to control Chris Brunt's superb long ball and the Burnley striker's shot was easily saved by the recalled Coyne.

Craig Bellamy had the home defence on the back foot in the seventh minute and Michael Duff's defensive header almost ended up in his own net.

 

Chris Brunt (right) went close for Northern Ireland in the first half

More good Bellamy running set up a chance for Jason Koumas in the 13th minute but the shot was sliced well wide.

Koumas's excellent passing was the main feature of the first half and he also tested Taylor with a curling 17th-minute free-kick.

The quiet opening was followed by an even duller second quarter with Brunt's shot, which tested Coyne in the 28th minute, a rare moment of excitement.

The half-time substitutions included Michael Ingham's introduction for Maik Taylor in the Northern Ireland goals.

Northern Ireland picked up the pace after the break and Sammy Clingan's miscued effort almost looped over Coyne in the 48th minute.

The pedestrian nature of the contest was finally interrupted when Northern Ireland substitute McCann thundered a 20-yard shot off the bar in the 63rd minute.

Brunt then sliced a Northern Ireland chance wide as the action belatedly began to liven up.

Northern Ireland continued to press in the closing stages but they were unable to break down the Welsh defence.

Northern Ireland: Taylor (Ingham 46), Duff, Craigan (Webb 79), Hughes, Capaldi, Gillespie, Davis, Clingan (McCann 60), Brunt, Lafferty (Thompson 68), Sproule (Shiels 67).

Wales: Coyne, Duffy, Evans, Collins, Nyatanga, Davies, Koumas, Robinson, Parry (Crofts 80), Vaughan (Cotterill 46), Bellamy, Cotterill (Easter 70).

Subs Not Used: Jones, Bale, Morgan, Ricketts, Valentine, Llewellyn.

Referee: C Richmond (Scotland)

Wednesday 11th October 2006 - Northern Ireland 1-0 Latvia

David Healy was Northern Ireland's hero again with his classy finish securing a deserved win in Wednesday night's Euro 2008 qualifier at Windsor Park.

The home side dominated the first half but spurned a number of chances before Healy struck after 35 minutes.

The Leeds United striker escaped his marker before slotting low into the bottom corner.

Latvia posed more threat after the break with Maik Taylor blocking Girts Karlsons' close-range shot.

The hosts took control after a frenetic start to the game and they were good value for their half-time advantage.

Burnley teenager Kyle Lafferty wasted an excellent chance on 11 minutes when he failed to connect with Damien Johnson's pinpoint cross.

It was the first of a number of occasions when the young striker lacked composure in front of goal.

Latvia, fresh from a 4-0 victory over Iceland, posed little threat at the other end with Karlsons going closest with a tame header straight into the arms of Maik Taylor.

Healy headed over from a Keith Gillespie cross on 32 minutes but the Leeds striker found the target three minutes later with a fine individual goal.

A clever dinked header took the country's record scorer clear of his marker and he beat keeper Algksanors Kolinko to the ball before cooly slotting into the bottom corner.

Lafferty and Johnson were off target with further openings as Northern Ireland pressed for a second before the break.

Not surprisingly there was attacking intent from the Latvians early in the second half but they failed to deliver with the final ball.

It was now an even contest but Lawrie Sanchez's side remained dangerous going forward and Healy's curling shot on the hour mark forced Kolinko to push the ball to safety.

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Davis netted four minutes later but he was denied a goal by a debatable offside decision.

Latvia created their best opportunity of the game on 74 minutes when Karlsons shot from close range but saw his effort blocked by Taylor with Jonny Evans finally kicking the ball clear.

Sammy Clingan dragged an 81st minute shot wide in the last goal-mouth action of the match.

Sanchez's side has now claimed seven points out of a possible nine and remain third in the group behind leaders Sweden and Denmark.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Baird, Craigan, Hughes, Evans, Gillespie, Davis, Johnson, Clingan, Healy (Feeney 90), Lafferty (Quinn 88).

Subs Not Used: Carroll, Sproule, Jones, McCann, Capaldi.

Booked: Lafferty.

Goals: Healy 35.

Latvia: Kolinko, Stepanovs, Astafjevs, Zirnis, Laizans, Kacanovs, Solonicins (Visnjakovs 85), Smirnovs (Gorkss 45), Verpakovskis (Kalnins 78), Karlsons, Pahars.

Subs Not Used: Piedels, Ivanovs, Surnins, Grebis.

Booked: Gorkss, Astafjevs.

Att: 14,500

Ref: Helmut Fleischer (Germany).

Saturday 7th October 2006 - Denmark 0-0 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland put in an impressive defensive display to claim a point in Saturday night's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Danes in Copenhagen.

Denmark dominated from the start with Jon Dahl Tomasson and Peter Lovenkrands going close before Jonny Evans made a vital clearance just before the break.

The visitors offered little in attack while Denmark continually pressed and Daniel Agger hit the crossbar late on.

A booking rules Michael Duff out of Wednesday's game against Latvia.

The Danes may have enjoyed the bulk of possession but they failed to create any clear-cut chances against a well organised N Ireland side.

Former Rangers striker Lovenkrands and Martin Jorgensen were off target with early efforts before NI keeper Maik Taylor was booked for time-wasting after just 10 minutes.

Tomasson sent a 16th minute header just wide and Lovenkrands also went close with a flicked header from Daniel Agger's inswinging free-kick.

The visitors failed to threaten at the other end and Kyle Laverty's turn and shot on 39 minutes, which was easily saved by Thomas Sorensen, was their first attack of any substance.

Denmark looked dangerous in the closing minutes of the half and a Jorgansen shot from 18 yards took two deflections before flying wide.

Manchester United defender Evans came to the rescue on 44 minutes with a vital clearance after Maik Taylor could only push Thomas Kahlenberg's strike across goal.

Duff picked up his booking just before the break, the Burnley defender's second yellow card in qualifying, and will miss the visit of the Latvians to Windsor Park.

The influential Jorgensen saw his 30-yard shot skid just wide three minutes into the second half before David Healy sent a low effort straight at Sorensen.

Damien Johnson, back after serving a ban, replaced Sammy Clingan in the NI midfield after 57 minutes.

Evans was booked for a foul which resulted in a free-kick on the edge of the box - Niclas Jensen blasted the ball straight into the wall.

Jesper Christensen came on for the injured Sorensen on 68 minutes and proceeded to drop the ball from a corner, only for his defence to scramble it clear.

Taylor made a superb save from Christian Poulsen's long-range strike before Aaron Hughes headed Claus Jensen's goalbound curler away from danger.

Agger came closest to breaching the NI defence in the 86th minute with a 25-yard shot which clipped the crossbar.

Denmark were camped in the NI half in the closing stages but Lawrie Sanchez's team held firm during six minutes of added time to secure a hard-fought draw.

The result leaves N Ireland third in Group F with four points from three games.

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Denmark: Sorensen (Christiansen 68), Jacobsen, Gravgaard, Agger, Niclas Jensen (Bendtner 73), Daniel Jensen, Poulsen, Kahlenberg, Tomasson, Jorgensen, Lovenkrands (Claus Jensen 55).

Subs Not Used: Helveg, Laursen, Wurtz, Kristiansen.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Duff, Hughes, Craigan, Baird, Clingan (Johnson 56), Davis, Evans, Gillespie, Lafferty (Jones 63), Healy (Feeney 84).

Subs Not Used: Carroll, Elliott, Quinn, Capaldi.

Booked: Taylor, Duff, Evans, Gillespie.

Att: 41,482.

Ref: Konrad Plautz (Austria).

Northern Ireland 3-2 Spain Wed 6th Sept 06

 

David Healy's hat-trick helped Northern Ireland claim a shock victory over Spain in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier at Windsor Park.

Healy punished a Xabi Alonso mistake to level from close range shortly after Barcelona star Xavi had volleyed Spain ahead with 14 minutes gone.

David Villa restored Spain's lead on 52 minutes but Healy converted Sammy Clingan's free-kick to level.

Healy then ensured the home win with a glorious lobbed winner on 80 minutes.

The final whistle sparked off scenes of wild jubilation as the home crowd savoured a fine victory just days after the miserable 3-0 home defeat to Iceland.

Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez reacted to Saturday's dismal home defeat by making four changes with Michael Duff and debutant Jonny Evans coming into the defence and Kyle Lafferty and Roy Carroll also earning starts.

The changes seemed to have the desired effect with the home side showing great urgency right from the start.

In the second minute, full-back Duff found himself in behind the Spain defence but he was unable to pick out the unmarked Healy in the middle.

Carroll's return to the Northern Ireland team proved short-lived as he was forced off in 12th minute because of an apparent groin injury.

Two minutes later, replacement keeper Maik Taylor was picking the ball out of his own net with the unmarked Xavi superbly volleying home from 12 yards after Antonio Lopez had outwitted Keith Gillespie to whip in a cross.

However, Northern Ireland were on terms within six minutes when Healy stabbed the ball home after a dreadful mistake by Alonso.

The Liverpool player inexplicably allowed a harmless-looking ball to bounce in his own area and compounded the error by attempting to nod back to Iker Casillas which allowed Healy to nip in to score his 21st international goal.

Spain attempted to regroup and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, who had already replaced David Albelda, powered in a dangerous shot in the 35th minute which was deflected to safety.

 

Steve Davis battles for possession with Spain's Antonio Lopez

But the partisan atmosphere at Windsor Park - with 14,500 fans jam-packed inside - appeared to be getting to the Spaniards, who conceded a number of needless free-kicks.

Northern Ireland continued to cause Spain problems immediately after half-time with the lively Keith Gillespie shooting inches over.

However, Spain went ahead against the run of play through Villa, who produced a clever finish after a mix-up in the Northern Ireland defence.

But Northern Ireland heads refused to drop and they were on terms again in the 64th minute with Healy thumping home Clingan's short free-kick in a move clearly rehearsed on the training ground.

Spain were inches away from leading again when Raul's close-range shot came back off the woodwork.

Northern Ireland would probably have settled for a draw at that stage but the home fans were sent into delirium when Healy lobbed the glorious winner over Casillas from 25 yards.

Inevitably, Spain pushed forward in the closing stages and Taylor did well to push a Puyol shot over the bar as Northern Ireland held on for a famous victory over a team ranked seventh in the world.

Northern Ireland: Carroll (Taylor 12), Duff, Aaron Hughes, Craigan, Evans, Gillespie, Clingan, Davis, Baird, Healy (Feeney 85), Lafferty (Quinn 54).

Subs Not Used: McAuley, Elliott, McCann, Jones.

Booked: Duff, Feeney.

Goals: Healy 20, 64, 80.

Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos (Salgado 45), Puyol, Pablo, Antonio Lopez, Albelda (Fabregas 29), Xavi, Alonso, Torres (Luis Garcia 63), Villa, Raul.

Subs Not Used: Reina, Marchena, Reyes, Iniesta.

Booked: Antonio Lopez, Puyol.

Goals: Xavi 14, Villa 52.

Att: 14,500

Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)...

Saturday 2nd September 2006 - Northern Ireland 0-3 Iceland

NORTHERN Ireland’s Euro 2008 qualifying hopes suffered an early blow following an opening day defeat at home to Iceland, a side ranked some 34 places lower in the rankings.

With the morning heavy rain giving way to sunshine in time for kick-off the stage was set for Lawrie Sanchez’s side to kick off their campaign with a home victory.

Unfortunately the visitors had other ideas and moved into the lead after barely 13 minutes when a cross from Johannes Gudjonsson was allowed through by Stephen Craigan with Gunner Thorvaldsson only too eager to pounce.

Number two arrived on 19 minutes – and again some suspect defending allowed a Gudjonsson corner to bypass the entire backline for Hermann Hreidarsson to turn the ball past Maik Taylor at the far post.

And, on 36 minutes, it was 3-0. A Gretar Steinsson cross was only partially cleared as far as Barcelona’s Eidur Gudjohnsen who promptly returned the ball to hand the visitors a commanding half-time advantage.

The first period wasn’t all doom and gloom though. Northern Ireland did have their chances with David Healy almost breaking the deadlock on ten minutes when he nodded just over at close range from a Keith Gillespie cross.

Indeed, it was Gillespie who was at the centre of whatever creativity Northern Ireland produced.

Often the provider he had a chance of glory himself on 16 minutes when he met a Tony Capaldi cross but was unable to keep his header on target while another effort a couple of minutes later – this time from 20 yards – sailed narrowly over.

Then, on 33 minutes, he fired the ball just past an upright after a Stuart Elliott free-kick which was headed off the line by Hreidarsson fell into his path.

The second half, by comparison, was a somewhat turgid affair although Northern Ireland did have the ball in the net on 62 minutes when David Healy turned home a Sammy Clingan free-kick from the far side only for the ‘goal’ to fall foul of the offside ruling.

Little else was created by either side until the closing stages when the industrious Clingan despatched a 20-yard curler past an upright while, right at the death, Gudjohnsen almost doubled his account when he stole a march through the home defence only for the ball to be smothered by a grateful Taylor.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Baird, Capaldi, Hughes, Craigan, Clingan, Gillespie, Davis, Healy, Quinn, Elliott subs Carroll (not used), McCann (not used), Jones (not used), Sproule (not used), Feeney (replaced Quinn 69), Lafferty (replaced Elliott 62), Duff (replaced Capaldi 78)

Iceland:Arason, Steinsson, I. Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, Ingimarsson, H. Sigurdsson, Hreidarsson, Arnason, Gudjohnsen, Gudjonsson, Thorvaldsson subs Finnborgason (not used), Danielsson (replaced Arnason 33), Jonsson (replaced Sigurdsson 62), Gislason (replaced Gunnarsson 68), Helguson (not used), Vidarsson (not used), Gunnarsson (not used)

Referee: Tommy Skjerven (Norway)

Friendly

Finland 1 v 2 Northern Ireland - Helsinki Wed 16th August

David Healy and Kyle Lafferty headed goals as Northern Ireland celebrated a morale-boosting win in Helsinki.

Leeds striker Healy, skipper on the night he celebrated his 50th cap, got the opener at the far post from a Sammy Clingan corner in the 34th minute.

It was Healy's 20th goal for Northern Ireland and was followed by 18-year-old substitute Lafferty getting his first from a Steve Jones cross.

Mika Vayrynen pulled one back for Finland with a 74th-minute shot.

It was Northern Ireland's first away win for over two years and should boost confidence ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign which starts against Iceland at Windsor Park on 2 September.

Northern Ireland almost took the lead in their first attack after 14 minutes.

James Quinn chested the ball down to Healy and he whipped in a shot that was deflected wide of the post.

Then Healy missed his kick from close range two minutes later after good work from Keith Gillespie and Stuart Elliott.

Healy had better luck when he opened the scoring with an alert header.

Finland were rattled and pushed forward in the 36th minute through Mikael Forssell, but Aaron Hughes stayed focused at the back to clear the ball to safety.

Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez used all six substitutes in the second half, including Lafferty who was winning his third cap.

Lafferty extended Northern Ireland's lead in the 64th minute when he headed in following a cross from Burnley team-mate Jones on the right.

The small band of travelling fans could hardly believe what was unfolding before their eyes given the team's lack of scoring prowess in recent years.

However they knew they could not take things easy as Finland looked dangerous on the counter.

Vayrynen's strike gave Finland hope but Northern Ireland kept their noses in front.

Finland: Jaaskelainen, Pasanen, Hyypia, Tihinen, Nurmela, Forssell, Kolkka, Ilola, Riihilahti, Kallio, Eremenko.

Subs:Kaven, Vayrynen, Pasoja, Kuivasto, Kopteff, Kuqi, Johansson, Porokara, Sjolund, Lagerblom, Wiss, Kononen.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Baird, Hughes, Craigan, Capaldi, Gillespie, Clingan, McCann, Elliott, Healy, Quinn.

Subs:Carroll, Duff, Sproule, Jones, Feeney, Lafferty.

Attendance: 12,500.

Referee: Michael Svendsen (Denmark)