Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands Match of the Day Northern Ireland

Welcome to Windsor Park for the latest instalment of Northern

Ireland's European qualifying campaign. The feral island are the

visitors, acting that has caused us problems in the past. Can Nigel

Worthington's men get back on track and beat the minnows of world

football tonight? Here is Jackie three points. Will David Heaney end

his goal drought? Looking at Northern Ireland First, Nigel

Worthington have decided on a 4, 4, nine of the players to stunt

Northern Ireland into a draw for a Nigel Worthington. Just one

win in a last 19. Brian Kerr is just over two years in the job. He

has won just two other previous 16. Away we go. The draw in the Faroe

Islands last October was a stunner for Northern Ireland. It was only

our third home game of the group tonight, and three points is a must.

There cannot be any slip-ups against a side who sits 112 in the

world this evening. Anything less than three points, our

qualification dreams will lie in Ireland down, and put them on the

way to what the fans would love, a goal festival. Northern Ireland her

big favourites with the bookmakers tonight's at 11-2 on. But,

sometimes, as we know, football does not go the way you wanted. - -

will just have the one man up, Johan Simun Edmundsson, with Joan

so Steve Davis and Sammy Clingan are well advanced. Corey Evans was

lurking in there. First touched therefore Jakup Mikkelsen, who will

be 41 on Monday. He is a teacher and an MP, would you believe?! The

Faroe Islands just as a population of 47,000 people. I have been told

Ireland defence with Stephen Craigan missing. He has retired. A

great servant, we will miss him. That was a nice play by Patrick

McCourt, but just slightly too far for David Healy there. The men from

Rangers and Celtic linking up. The idea was right from David Healy,

just a bit too far. A bright start equaliser at the meeting between

Gareth Macaulay has moved up as well. It is a corner. Good pressure.

The crowd tonight is expected to be think it is this Kippur. His first

international goal. Aaron Hughes, I thought he was never going to

score! This is his 77th appearance. He is desperate to qualify for a

major tournament, and he has put Northern Ireland on its way. What a

moment for him! He will remember that. It was in off the post. He

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against Northern Ireland the last tonight, it could be their 100 coal

in European Championships. If Northern Ireland scored four, we

would be up to 600 goals. It all toe on it. It was a good block, to

give the defender credit. Patrick McCourt started it all. Lovely

little bald there. David Healy just couldn't get it through. Fordi

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Ireland. The crowd thought there was a handball there. I think the

corner is given. Sammy Clingan Essien, what about the handball,

referee? It did hit his hand, and to me that is a handball. Gareth

McAuley committed the foul there. 10 blue shirts behind the ball. It

Daniel Udsen got that back to his keeper. Christian Holst is having

to forage deep. Not a bad effort. Lee Camp did well. Johan Simun

Edmundsson looking for his second international goal. Lee Camp has

yet to concede a goal at Windsor Park. This is only his second game

at headquarters. He was well down Northern Ireland's are leading one

goal to nothing. Aaron Hughes got the goal with his first

international strike. Grant McCann, down he goes. Nothing given. Well,

well, well! I would like to see that again. The man from Bosnia

with the whistle was not impressed. This might be a better angle. I

think the referee got it right. He was lucky she was not booked for

simulation. They might have been a little bit of contact, but I don't

really see it. Grant McCann was accord. Greater vision. -- as super

out of turn. He has got the first yellow-card of this game. Not take

everything to do. -- not a clever thankfully. The two Evans brothers

Northern Ireland? Four minutes left until half-time. Pat McCourt, he

lays a 10! I thought it was 2-0. David Healy denied by the upright.

He thought he was back in business. He hasn't scored for almost three

years. He hasn't scored in the last 17 internationals. He thought this

was his comeback. It wasn't to be. Pat McCourt did so well. He picked

his spot. I think the keeper got a touch. Yes, the keeper has saved it.

Well done. He cannot believe it. He They are all lined up, they all

break, in it comes. The keeper couldn't get a foot on it. Lee Camp

got away with that. In it comes. He had it, then he didn't, and just

not enough room for a telling touch. It is half time. Just a little

scare for Northern Ireland, right on the blow. All of the promise in

that first half going to the man with the only goal, Aaron Hughes,

in this his 77th appearance. It had to happen sometime, it couldn't

have happened at a better time in this European championship campaign.

The home side in the lead by one-0. They are here in hope and

expectation. At the start of the second half, Gareth Macaulay has

gone off and he is being replaced by Craig Cathcart from Blackpool.

West Brom, must have picked up a bit too complacent, perhaps in the

first half, but great fingertip save denied David Healy a second

goal. Tonight Northern Ireland a second goal. -- denied Northern

Ireland. I am told Gareth Macaulay roar on the boys in green. What

does the second 45 minutes have in too many complaints, but I am sure

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he would like another goal to make over the top. He could have done

better. He could well have scored his first international goal. They

let off for Northern Ireland, make no mistake about that. He was

unlucky, perhaps. It should have been, it could have been 1-1. It's

Faroe Island team to growing confidence. -- grow in confidence.

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They don't want to let them back is arriving! Quite a finish by the

man from Rangers! 2-0! Halfway through the second half. That would

be the clincher without doubt. They enjoyed that. A third international

call for Steve Davis. -- ball. His first ever in the European

championship game. His last was almost three years ago against San

Marino. That was quite a finish. Full marks to Niall McGinn. He was

brought on for his pace and he showed it there. A-grade pass, and

the keeper couldn't keep it out. 2- 0 for Northern Ireland, their 100

goal in European championship football in this, the 96 qualifier,

and he enjoys the moment. So does what a way to get your first

international goal! They are delighted! Choir not?! Northern

Ireland coasting it. He has got that flair, he has got that touch,

and how about that for a final touch?! He gets it back. 10 out of

10 to Joni Evans, up there with the 1-2. Did you like that? Kisii did.

-- yes, he did. It is tougher these days to qualify. But at least they

are giving it a go and they are on the man in the blue shirts. They

have taken out quickly, Northern David Healy. He is getting a bit

frustrated. The fans are chanting his name. They would love to see

He has missed it. What a great chance. Evans almost got it in.

What a bit of magic from Pat Aaron Hughes it was that was up

wonderful! That his class! -- is a class! Two goals from the Celtic

man. The man with the X factor! The man with a touch, the flair, that

little flash of genius occasional late, and there you saw it. Take a

bow, Pat McCourt! He has portrayed them all out -- she has tortured

them all night. Wonderful exhibition. There is the confidence.

He just loves the ball at his feet. The goalkeeper had no chance. That

is one to remember right in front of the stand! They will have

international goal. -- Northern against Austria in the European

won it here in November 1995. There were two goes that night. My will

settle for four. Nigel Worthington, he has taken a bit of criticism for

some of the results, the lack of goals, but they are back on the

winning trail tonight, Pat McCourt, he has illuminated the Windsor Park

this evening with some lovely flair, some lovely touches, but above all,

two very important touches, two goals, and I think he might be in

line for a starting place. RN fuse set us on the way after five

minutes on the other goal came from the man from Rangers, Steve Davis.

-- Aaron Hughes. A good night, have few scares, but nothing to trouble

of the fans. It is not often you see Patrick McCourt smiling, but he

is! Doesn't the final score make That was quite a night! Great

result for us. We showed patience when we had to, and a bit of

talents when we needed it. The rain helped us a little bit. We could

move the ball around pretty quick. Overall, we're very happy. I urge

you got your first goal! How did it feel? Fantastic. I never expected

it, to be honest. And lot of head scratching down. You were dropped

earlier, so did you feel you had a point to prove? I think you always

have to prove yourself. There was a point to prove for everyone. Just

thankful in the end the we one quite convincingly after a pretty

sluggish first act. Top be to the second goal. It was wizardry. What

is going through your mind? It was nice to score a good goal. Any goal

is nice. It was very pleasing. I had a quick look up and sold the

keeper of Islam - - the keeper off his line.

I think the scoreline was quite harsh. I think we played quite

brightly and created some good chances. We had a great chance at

half-time. At times we took the game quite well to Northern Ireland.

The chance we missed in the second half with the Daniel Udsen was very

hard. We all said about getting off to a good start. We played at a

good tempo, and we got a goal through that. It after the goal we

started to play in front of them and it made it difficult for her

cells. We sorted out one or two things at half-time. Great credit

to the lads, they drew off at them and we got our just reward with a

very good win. No Northern Ireland move up to third place in the grid

table, just two points behind Slovenia. Up next is Serbia.

Joining me is Michael O'Neill. That was a first-class performance

tonight. It was. We spoke earlier about the potential banana-skin,

but they approached the game very well. They got a head early which

helped sell them down. They took over the game in the second half

and it became the Patrick McCourt show them. A lot of very good

performances out there. Great atmosphere in the stadium. The fans

and everyone were left asking why haven't we seen more of Patrick

Crane - - Patrick McCourt, when he plays a well? He is a very exciting

player. Even at the start of the game you could see that. The

challenges fitting him into the team. Against the Faroe Islands, it

is easier to do that. He showed us tonight what he is capable of and

hopefully we will see a lot more of him. We do now starting against

Serbia? I would, but Nigel has to look at the situation, maybe look

at where he plays him. I think he could play behind the striker. They

restricted him in the second half and kept him on the left-hand side

a lot. He was very effective coming in on his right hand side. Against

stronger opposition, with the opposition full-back then start to

give more problems, exposing maybe the weaker part of Patrick's game?

I thought his passing was excellent. He has a great range of passing and

has all was to come for the ball. - - always looking for the ball.

the captain on the scoresheet! delighted for him. It was just what

we needed, at the right time of the game. It was her first corner. - -

our first corner. If it probably settle the crowd down and at times

more than Adam played some fantastic football. The midfield

three were very good and there was a lot of positive tonight.

Fantastic strike from Steve Davis. Yes, we talk about him in a regular

basis, and at times tonight him and Patrick McCourt look really

comfortable playing with each other, even though ironically they both

played for Rangers and Celtic! He pops up when the full areas and

hurt the opposition. Four games left in the campaign, to home and

two away. Serbia next. If Serbia win - - if it Northern Ireland beat

Serbia, we would be in a good position. The two games against

Estonia are very winnable. Italy at the end would be a massive

challenge. The Serbia game is going to be a crunch game. Three points

there would be a massive step. Northern Ireland can win here

against Serbia. It will be a big physical team and they have a lot

of quality, but the confidence from tonight's, a positive atmosphere in

the stadium and, who knows? It will be a different type of game,

obviously, against better opposition, but tonight must boost

the confidence of. Yes, there will be more quality. But keep the ball

a lot better, and physically there will be a lot stronger. What we

sought tonight, a lot of good performances, retaining the ball

well, looking for the ball, moving the ball well. Some of the

interplay between the midfield three with Paddy no court coming in,

Coming up next is the match against Serbia. We will have television