Hi °C | Lo °C Nigel Worthington has warned his players that this evening’s crunch World Cup qualifier with San Marino is do or die!
Failure to record a win over Europe’s lowest ranked nation will end Northern Ireland’s slim hopes of reaching South Africa
in 2010. But a win in the beautiful principality would propel Northern Ireland into joint second in Group Three.
Then, with two home games coming up at the end of March, start of April against Poland and Slovenia, Northern Ireland have a massive chance to still be in contention at the business end of the qualifiers in the autumn.
“We win and go joint second on goal difference, that’s a hell of a boost going into Poland and Slovenia in Belfast,” says Worthington (pictured) who will be without midfielder Sammy Clingan tonight. That’ll put us on seven points and in a very good position.
“You do take each game at time but I honestly feel we need to get nine points from the three games to still be in with a shout of qualifying – seeing only one team qualifies from this group automatically.
\[Ian Callender\]“It will be difficult but it can be achieved with this group of players and our amazing fans.
