Hi °C | Lo °C September 7, 2205: 1-0 v England September 6, 2006: 3-2 v Spain September 8, 2007: now for Latvia It's time to add another famous September victory on to Northern Ireland's roll of honour.
The Green and White Army have enjoyed glory nights against England and Spain around this time in the ninth month of the year - and a win over under-achievers Latvia would be just as priceless tomorrow night.
The expectation of a nation is resting on the shoulders of Nigel Worthington's brave warriors.
Defeat Latvia tomorrow night and Northern Ireland are very much in the hunt for Euro 2008 qualification - lose and we can all but kiss goodbye to a summer in Austria and Switzerland.
Of course it will still be mathematically possible for Worthy's boys to qualify, but deep down everyone associated with the Northern Ireland team would admit that only victory will do.
With fixtures in Sweden and Spain to come six points are vital from these two away matches in Latvia and Iceland next Wednesday.
And the players are full of confidence and in great spirits ahead of the encounter.
They intermingled with the fans during an afternoon walk-about yesterday through the Latvian capital.
Come tomorrow night though, those smiles on their faces will be replaced by serious looking expressions as the players set out to achieve their mission - a win and three points.
It's the most crucial match in the entire campaign.
Latvia, bottom of Group F, are only playing for pride while our boys have everything to lose.
Worthington, despite losing Damien Johnson, Aaron Hughes and Tony Capaldi through injury, is confident his men can secure yet another stunning victory in Group F.
That would certainly put the pressure on leaders Sweden and keep Spain and Denmark at bay.
After last month's victory over Liechtenstein and subsequent results before that, the country is on the crest of an almighty wave.
And even though the Latvians will be physically imposing as shown last November at Windsor Park, Northern Ireland have the skill and determination to do the double over their Baltic counterparts.
Worthington really only has one selection dilemma and that is regarding the back four.
Does he stick with Michael Duff at right-back or take a risk and give the ever-impressive Jonny Evans his first match this season?
If Evans was brought in that would mean captain Chris Baird would revert to his usual full-back role and Evans would play his first match in his preferred position of centre-half alongside Stephen Craigan.
Worthington will continue with the ever-reliable Mike Taylor, soon set to leapfrog legend Gerry Armstrong in Northern Ireland appearances, in goal and also keep Keith Gillespie, Sammy Clingan, Steve Davis and Chris Brunt in his midfield line-up.
Up front Burnley hit man Kyle Lafferty will partner David Healy, who in the run-up to the Latvia encounter has been praised by his former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The great Scot said: "He has always been a fantastic goalscorer and he's proving it now. When he is playing regular football, he scores.
" His record at international level is brilliant. It's hard to imagine he'd go on to that level when we let him go to Preston on the cheap when he was only young.
"Unfortunately his value has never increased, which is surprising but he has got his chance in the Premier League now.
" He deserves that, he was always a goalscorer. He has got the right application and I think he will do well at Fulham."
And hopefully he will deliver as per usual tomorrow night.
England were beaten 1-0 on September 7, 2005, then Spain were defeated 3-2 on September 6, 2006. Latvia on September 8, 2007? It's going to be a fascinating and nerve-racking encounter. Victory is a must.
Then we really are half-way to the Promised Land . . .
