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In Pictures: Northern Ireland 1 Slovenia 0
Thursday, 2 April 2009
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On-loan Dundee United striker Warren Feeney sent Windsor Park into raptures as he grabbed the winner in the 73rd minute in this World Cup qualifier.
It means Northern Ireland remain top of Group Three and still in with a shout of making it to South Africa.
After a poor start to their campaign they have suddenly become the team to beat.
Feeney has now taken over the mantle from David Healy and this was his second successive goal after he made the breakthrough against Poland at the weekend.
In the process Northern Ireland have won four successive qualifiers for the first time in their history.
Yet manager Nigel Worthington had to make two changes during the game with Chris Baird and Ryan McGivern coming on for Gareth McAuley and George McCartney.
After their splendid victory against Poland, Northern Ireland found it a struggle in the first half. But that barren spell was soon forgotten thanks to Feeney's goal
Slovenia almost took the lead in the 10th minute but goalkeeper Maik Taylor did well to parry Miso Brecko's close range effort after he was released inside the area by Bostjan Cesar.
Taylor may be 37 but the Birmingham shot-stopper proved he is as sharp as ever with that block.
Worthington was then forced to make a change six minutes later when McAuley limped off and was replaced by Chris Baird.
Slovenia, who chalked up a 2-0 victory earlier in the campaign, were looking far more assured at this stage than Poland.
Northern Ireland again found themselves on the back foot in the 22nd minute when Andrej Komac swung in a corner, only for skipper Aaron Hughes to stay alert and make the clearance.
They responded in the 30th minute when Healy seized on a half chance, only to spoon his effort over the bar.
Healy snatched at it, perhaps in his desperation to add to his tally of one goal in the campaign.
It has been a poor return for the Sunderland striker after his record 13-goal haul in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Baird and Healy then both went to ground quickly but Israeli referee Alon Yefet allowed play to continue.
That decision incensed Worthington, who raced out of his technical area to protest.
Northern Ireland boss Worthington made a change at half-time with young Manchester City defender McGivern replacing McCartney.
The province made a bright start to the second half with Healy whipping in a cross that tested the goalkeeper.
Then in the 56th minute Damien Johnson headed over the bar at the back post following a corner from McCann.
The game was becoming scrappy with neither goalkeeper really being tested.
However that did not prevent the partisan crowd from giving their side tremendous vocal backing.
Slovenia almost went ahead in the 67th minute when skipper Robert Koren raced forward and cracked in a shot from 25 yards that came back off the bar.
The West Brom midfielder was left shaking his head in frustration at seeing Northern Ireland escape.
Northern Ireland made the breakthrough in the 73rd minute with Feeney finding the target.
The on-loan Dundee United striker glanced a header beyond the goalkeeper after a good build up involving Sammy Clingan and Johnson to prompt another night of celebrations in the old town.
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Comments
39 Comments
I'm very happy as i had bets on northern to beat Poland and Slovenia. I also bet on Ireland to bet England, Scotland and WAles at the rugby.
Although I live abroad now i still support Linfield and have seen many great football matches there. the Assemly should finance improvements at Windsor. Maybe thought should be given to help improvemrnts at other football grounds.
I'll bet on Northern Ireland again so I hope they keep up the good wprk.Ihop
Posted by James | 03.04.09, 04:10 GMT
Paul
Grow up mate you're only showing yourself up.
Posted by COL | 02.04.09, 21:14 GMT
Windsor Park must be the worst ground in Europe. Huge markings on each side of the pitch that looked like railway tracks and a lumpy, bumpy 18 yard area. FIFA should not allow International matches at this venue. Course maybe that is our wee country's secret weapon, but seriously, it is a disgrace.
Posted by Trevor | 02.04.09, 19:29 GMT
I'm not an NI supporter but they have ground out some good results. Good luck for the rest of the campaign! I hope both teams in green can qualify.
Posted by kieran | 02.04.09, 18:46 GMT
Paul
Every country has those that call themselves fans that let the true supporters down.
The same way that sections of the Republic fans let the true supporters down when they played Israel in 2006.
Another great match last night, the kop was bouncing!!
Poland away will be tough, but we could get something from the Czech's, they are not the team they used to be.
SA here we come
Posted by David | 02.04.09, 16:13 GMT
But a massive well done to the Republic for last nights performance! a seamus well done for a really enjoyable post
Posted by bored | 02.04.09, 15:56 GMT
Paul - are you and Tony related? Or maybe you are Tony? Maybe he's so disheartened by what happened last night that he can't bring himself to comment on it today.
All in all, a tremendous night for Northern Ireland, with, as usual, not a hint of any of the sectarian, bigotted behaviour inside or outside Windsor Park.
Congratulations to Nigel and the lads - let's take us all the way to South Africa. Also, well done the Republic Of Ireland - another tremendous result and they look a certainty for the play-offs at least.
Posted by Strucker | 02.04.09, 15:45 GMT
Well JD, I was one of the first to congratulate you this morning. I´m from down South but I´d never dream of riling any other fans, regardless of where they come from. I´m really happy for both NI and ROI and hope there will be lots of Summer parties next year!!
Paul, you´re out of order.
Posted by robin | 02.04.09, 15:30 GMT
well said all, i am a republic supporter been from dublin but have to say well done to you on the results over last few days. A real possibility both of us could qualify which would be some achievement, pity we dont pool resources like the rugby and who knows we'd be going to every major tournament.
Posted by peter | 02.04.09, 15:29 GMT
Well done Northern Ireland. Five points from the remaining three games might just be enough to secure a playoff place, given the fact that all the teams are taking points off each other. That will be tough but it's not impossible. And well done to the Republic as well. They look well placed for a playoff spot and I'd like to see both qualify. (As for the comment about one of the 2nd placed teams missing out, the chances are that will be from Scotland's group)
Posted by Simon | 02.04.09, 15:29 GMT
are you ragin' paul, your just annoyed because for your home games you have to head down to croak. that place down ther will never be able to replicate the atmosphere and banter that Windsor has for every game
Posted by weev | 02.04.09, 15:19 GMT
well said bored! Paul's only trying to rile NI fans up. Funny how most NI fans can support and say well done to the Republic, but you just cant do it the other way round. Grow up.
Posted by JD | 02.04.09, 14:50 GMT
Leave the bigots to their own game boys, attention is all they crave. The 13 boys that played last night did the country proud and are rightly getting the plaudits. We're bound to be the most successful footballing nation (in europe if not the world) at the minute with a population under 2m people. So proud of every NI player last night.
Posted by Aaron | 02.04.09, 14:47 GMT
Well done Northern Ireland, two great wins which every true football fan on the island should celebrate, the heirs of Charlie Tully, Billy Bingham, Danny Blanchflower, George Best, Derek Dougan, Pat Jennings, Harry Gregg - need I go on - have done Northern Irish football proud and fans and players can be proud of the result and Paul, there are two football/soccer teams on the island in just the same way as there are two separate states on the island but that shouldn't stop all REAL sportsfans from celebrating the great perfromance of Northern Ireland in winning their last two games and the great performance of the Republic of Ireland in getting the draw in Italy. Come on the boys in Green no matter what part of the island they come from!
Séamus MacClelland
Posted by séamus macclelland | 02.04.09, 14:39 GMT
Where I come from the word is 'you' and not 'ye'
the fact we mingled with last nights opposition fans helps to highlight that Polish hooligans where the problem. last night was and is the norm with NI. it goes to shows how sad you are Paul to come onto this Article knowing your going to be offended by NI fans celebrating a win.
'ye' need to get a life.
Maybe your just annoyed because 'your' boys failed to take maximum points from a under strength Bulgaria on Saturday? Dry your eyes you'll get over it.
Posted by bored | 02.04.09, 14:10 GMT
Paul, you`re just jealous of the Northern Ireland football team!
Onwards and Upwards!
Posted by Cliff | 02.04.09, 14:01 GMT
Paul, the bitterness is dripping out of you.
''so why should it be reported by the press'' perhaps because the media, at EVERY opportunity stick the boot into the Northern Ireland support.
Great result last night.
Posted by Raymond | 02.04.09, 14:01 GMT
Ulsterman, it's quite remarkable that NI win at all considering the tiny population base. Give credit when it's due!
Posted by Ed | 02.04.09, 13:41 GMT
wat can we do if 2 of the games were san marino??? u can only beat what is in front of u? we beat poland thanks to a man of the match display from arthur boruc an we beat slovenia.we may have some tough games coming up but were in for a shout.look at the likes of wales?no hope an no belief.come on the GAWA
Posted by jimmy | 02.04.09, 13:38 GMT
A match that looked to be heading for a draw until Feeney's tremendous goal. It's victories in scrappy games like this that are vital in keeping the dream alive. Congratulations to all involved in the Northern Ireland set-up and what an atmosphere at Windsor. The GAWA were magnificent as ever. No wonder Craig Bellamy is jealous!
Posted by Gary Kirby | 02.04.09, 13:35 GMT
39 Comments