Euro qualifier action
The four home nations and the Republic of Ireland all see action today. So far it seems like a day for goal feasts. Northern Ireland were deservedly beaten 3-0 by Iceland. Scotland hammered the Faroe Islands 6-0. England stomped Andorra 5-0. Wales lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic and the RoI lost 1-0 to Germany.It was a return to the bad old days for Northern Ireland. During the McIlroy era, the defence had a habit of falling apart if the opposition scored in the first 20 minutes of a half, and history repeated itself when the Icelanders scored in the 13th minute and two more in the first half. Tony Capaldi, who dropped defensive clangers in the Finland game, carried on in the same form today. The Iceland attack quickly realised they had the beating of him and took full advantage down the left-hand side with the 3-0 scoreline at half-time almost a disappointment for them. In the second half, Northern Ireland put together a more attacking game but this had much to do with Iceland sitting back on their comfortable lead. Healy did hit the net but was disallowed because of a prior foul by Elliott. Just as poor as Capaldi was Quinn. There is little point of having a big man to control and hold up the ball and win it in the air if he singularly fails to do either nor seems to have heard of the concept of running. Playing long, high balls against a team whose average height is about 4 inches taller than your team seems pointless too although the water-logged pitch offers some excuse for not playing it on the floor. The only ray of hope was the hardworking midfield performances of Clingan, Gillespie, Elliott and Davis. Sanchez has his work cut out before the more daunting task of Spain on Wednesday. Capaldi and Quinn need some of this stuff.
NI – very poor. I picked Iceland to win the game, but didnt expect it just as easy as this.
NI attacked OK and made some chances, but the defence was terrible. The long ball game is too predictable and easily countered by half organised defences. No one picked up Gudjohnson (which is criminal given that his style of play of dropping off the front is no trade secret), and he exploited it well.
Big improvement required on Wednesday or it will be a long night…….
One thing about being a Northern Ireland fan is that it’s a life of a few highs and many more lows. Never seems to be anything in between.
Today’s performance was shambolic.
Quoted from the Deutsche Welle (Germann BBC equivalent?)
“Ireland will show typical British values, and I expect them to fight for everything and make it very tough for us,” German manager Löw added.
Swat Ireland aside ? This means War !
Somebody needs to talk to that Low Ballack – typical British values indeed Hrrrrrmmph
Germany start as favorites to win Group D and to swat aside Ireland but new manager Löw has been in the job just over six weeks — far from the perfect preparation — and the new coach faces a defensive crisis.
A 3-0 friendly win over Sweden was a promising start for Löw but he expects a much tougher game against Ireland.
“Ireland will show typical British values, and I expect them to fight for everything and make it very tough for us,” Löw added.
The last time Ireland faced Germany was in June 2002 when they played out a 1-1 draw in the World Cup group stage. A similar result would no doubt delight Staunton.
Our father who art in heaven etc etc etc .
I’m a scud. For the first time in my life I put Norn Iron on my Saturday accumulator. Never again.
Germany will be very disappointed with this result.
Mmmm. I wondered why the checkout guy at my local Iceland murmurred with contemptuous sympathy as I passed me fish fingers and frozen peas along the slidy ding-ding.
“Ireland will show typical British values…”
I think if I was British I’d be be having a word with a good lawyer after the match.
Funny how GAA points out that Fair Deal concentrates more on politics than sport when he comments on the GAA – then he rants on about the Neil Lennon issue in his post. Mmmmmmm
funny too how the “best fans in Europe” booed their team off the pitch.
He has a point though Brendan. Surely FD will post here tomorrow evening about the ups and downs of the Cork/Killkenny match? I won’t hold my breath…..
“funny too how the “best fans in Europe” booed their team off the pitch.”
They only got an award, they weren’t instantly turned into saints. That was the worst performance by an Irish international side since since….well since RoI were hammered 4-0 by Holland a few weeks ago, actually.
All in all a miserable day for Irish football.
He (GAA) has a point though Brendan
Fine – but it is unfair to point the finger in one sentence for doing exactly what he does in thwe next! – if you follow.
“GAA” seems to show his true colours, with his slagging of our team today. Neil lennon was threatened by bigots, possibly a bit like “GAA”. They should have called the game off as a protest.
However, like the rest of N.Ireland bar some GAA people, the scene is slowly changing at Windsor. N.Ireland fans now wear green and white colours, and the morons on the Kop are growing smaller and being discouraged. Linfield even have “anti-sectarian” demonstrations, asking the crowd to support ALL the players. Nice to see Linfield are more advanced than the Antrim GAA.
Indeed it is not really the Antrim GAA. A small number of influential Bon Jovies managed to “take over” the Antrim GAA, mostly by intimidation. They still have influence, and can still intimidate, but the opposition is growing.
N.Ireland are not a very good team. Talk of population is nonsense, otherwise Antrim and Dublin would win all the All Irelands, football and Hurling, and Kerry, like Andorra and N.Ireland, wouldn’t be allowed to compete.Neither would Kilkenny for that matter.
And Neil Lennon is useless, in my considered opinion.
‘home nations’ my arse.
supporting norn iron will always be full of more lows than highs – back to reality.
Sanchez can undoubtedly instill passion for the ocassion but some of his judgements today have to be seriously questioned.
Starting James Quinn in lieu of Lafferty was 50/50 but i was shocked when I saw Quinn running on at the start of the second half when he was clearly unfit and ineffective.
When he did bring Lafferty on he put him on the Right Wing and moved Gillespie (who had been creating chances down the right) onto the left – only to reverse the two less than 10 minutes later when he saw it clearly wasnt working for either.
Keeping Capaldi on as Left back for 80 minutes when he clearly couldnt cope in that position. Although I think Capaldi is not a bad player but I am frightened everytime I know he is playing left back.
Playing the high and long ball against Icelandic giants with Quinn reaching few and Healey the smallest person on the pitch.
Not having someone man mark Gudjohnson.
He should have kept the ball on the ground and used the pace of Sproule?
Where was Brunt ?
I am afraid that £1m is safe.
I am even more fearful for the Spain game if our defence can be split open like that.
I was seriously thinking of giving the north my shout today, especially after the award. But the massive “NO SURRENDER” during the anthem put pay to that. Then again I never thought I would support a team wearing red white and blue playing at windsor!!
such is the problem with NI fans, a few friendly wins and the prod supremacist emerges in all of them. Then the real match starts and they are humped. Funny hearing one of the pundits before the match warn of complacency.
Football for all right beside a giant union jack
Best fans in europe shouting uvf slogans then booing off their 3rd rate team.
Craigavon sent the Specials out,
To shoot the people down,
He thought the IRA were dead,
In dear old Belfast town,
But he got a rude awakening,
With cannon and grenade,
When he met the First Battalion,
Of the Belfast Brigade.
Glory, glory to old Ireland,
Glory, glory to this island,
Glory to the memory of the men
Who fought and died,
“No surrender” is the war cry of
The Belfast Brigade.
The soldiers came from Holywood,
Equipped with English guns,
There were men by the thousand,
Ammunition by the ton,
But when they got to Belfast,
They were seriously delayed,
By the fighting First Battalion
Of the Belfast Brigade.
We have no ammunition,
Or no armoured tanks to show,
But we’re ready to defend ourselves,
No matter where we go,
We’re out for our Republic,
And to hell with your Free State,
“No surrender” is the war cry
Of the Belfast Brigade.
Come all you gallant Irishmen,
And join the IRA
We’ll strike a blow for freedom,
When it comes a certain day,
You know your country’s history,
And the sacrifice it made,
Come join the First Battalion
Of the Belfast Brigade.
“booing off their third rate team”
It would never happen in Dublin.
http://foot.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=38592
It’s unique to Northern Ireland fans.
“such is the problem with NI fans, a few friendly wins and the prod supremacist emerges in all of them”
I blame that well known “Prod”, Lawrie Sanchez.
dantheman
“But the massive “NO SURRENDER” during the anthem put pay to that.”
I wish they (the Kop minority) wouldnt and indeed I see no need for GSTQ at all but that shout is now one of those things that have become quintessentially working class northern irish supporter.
I notice the band try to crescendo up at that point to drown it out.
Anyhow see it as harmless bit of fun which is the mood within which it is shouted.
Indeed I notice the England fans now shout it as well which they learned from us during the world cup qualifiers.
In other words lighten up about it.
T”hen again I never thought I would support a team wearing red white and blue playing at windsor!!”
Your support for Iceland says it all.
“such is the problem with NI fans, a few friendly wins and the prod supremacist emerges in all of them”
what are you talking about ?
I have never known a Prod who saw himself as a supremecist.
We were never brought up like that – yes we had problems with Catholics but it was never one of anything other than an enemy of equals.
That kind of language is based on your own hang ups that you would do us all a favour if you sought some kind of counselling
“Football for all right beside a giant union jack”
The colours being Green, White and Blue though – most of the NI fan base are from the unionist community – national football has a lot to do with nationality. Therefore some (probably less than a 100) would be seen sporting the Union flag.
NI is a country of mixed loyalaties and without its own agreed version then you are going to see one side or the other – If one section of the community chooses to opt out (because as I have said before here they dont support the Six Counties in ANY endeavour other than Gaelic Sports) then the other side will fill the vacuum.
ie its you own fault that you have chosen to opt out.
Nationalists would be better working towards an agreed NI (until they achieve -if ever – their UI dream) and agreeing on issues such as flags and anthems.
We could then use our new flag and new anthem in our new stadium to support NI soccer. Other national flags of these islands would be confiscated at the turnstiles.
However if you are not prepared to engage in such an exercise then you have lost your right to whinge about it.
“Best fans in europe shouting uvf slogans”
when ? I was there and I didnt hear any UVF slogans ? – did you hear it on tv ?
If not stop telling lies.
” booed their team off the pitch.”
Some fans expressed their frustration at the end of the game that way – I didnt and nor did the majority but such an action is hardly exclusive to NI fans under such circumstances.
Everyone will be back on Wednesday night in full voice again.
If I’d got tickets for yesterday’s match I probably would have booed too. Piss poor performance, especially in the first half. Losing 3-0 to Iceland isn’t an acceptable start to a qualifying campaign, and there were too many mistakes that would have looked silly in a schoolboys match. I don’t see what’s wrong with expressing disapporval with that.
“Anyhow see it as harmless bit of fun”
JEB
Says it all. Football for all my arse. How silly that award looks now.
“such is the problem with NI fans, a few friendly wins and the prod supremacist emerges in all of them.”
I thought a helluva lot more of you than this Dantheman kind of crap you’ve come out with.
In all of them, really?
So we’re all bigots in your humble opinion?
A “Yes” or “No” will suffice.
“Best fans in europe shouting uvf slogans then booing off their 3rd rate team.”
Put up or shut up Dantheman on this serious allegation. What slogans and what time did you hear them?
If they did happen I hope someone slugged the t***s that did them, oops but we are all prod supremacists according to you aren’t we?
If they didn’t, then quite obviously you have joined Fearon’s sad and motley crew of antiGAWA liars/fantasists. Pity.
dantheman
I am afraid your attitude to NI football team is like you attitude to my post – ie just dip in and and select the bit you dont like to support your pre defined position without giving it wider consideration.
surely you can do better than that ?
eg can you support your accusation of NI fans shouting UVF slogans ?
Have you anything to say about “sport for all” actually meaning that “all” have a role to play to make it so rather than shouting from the sidelines and leaving a vacuum for others to fill ?
In the aftermath of the England game did you meet any Protestant supremacists who made you feel inferior ?
Surely Slugger is not about people shouting slogans from behind their barricades ?
I note a few Free Staters want one of the “Billy Boys” as their manager, namely Martin O’Neill.
Niall Lennon, possibly a brother of Neil’s, says it is ok to threathen him because he is useless. I don’t think anyone sane could agree with that.
It’s a while since I’ve left an international so downhearted. Possibly when we were beaten by Armenia at home. A woeful performance with some of the most inept defending I’ve seen from Northern Ireland. I only hope that a few changes can enable us to pick things up for Wednesday night.
Just watched the NI game after a Belfast mate of mine compared it to our debacle against the Netherlands.
Was genuinely shocked after NI’s solid performances in recent months.
massive step backwards. perhaps a case of running before you can walk.
Not the best night for Irish Soccer.
The second goal NI conceded has to be the worst goal I’ve ever seen conceded in any game I’ve ever watched on tv. Drag out all the clichés, it was schoolboy stuff.
It’s been said by many, but NI were really poor. They improved in the second half, but that’s small comfort. At that stage the Icelanders were contemplating what drink to have on the way home in the plane.
I was hoping we’d get farther into NI’s campaign before the supporters would have to take solace in the ‘We’re not Brazil, we’re Northern Ireland’ cry, but it can’t be far away considering the imminent arrival of the Spanish.
There was a great swathe of green flags amongst the fans, which looked great. However, (can’t resist) the Icelanders must have been greatly heartened to see so many of their supporters in amongst the Northern Irish fans!
The ‘no surrender’ boys were out in force on Saturday, difficult to see how a few can be blamed for the sectarian chanting, when it was clearly large sections of the crowd.
Many supporters seem happy for Windsor park to remain a cold house.
What sectarian chants did you hear vic?
I found the similarities between the Icelandic flag and the butchers apron uncanny. Perhaps Gudjohnsen and co thought that it was the last night of the proms in windsor as they strolled about the pitch wondering what the point of it all was??
Dan,
‘Perhaps Gudjohnsen and co thought that it was the last night of the proms in windsor’
Whatever about, ‘No surrender’ which some take offence at, which I can just about understand, there were very few union flags at the match. There were so few they were conspicuous by their small numbers.
I only saw two. And in fairness, if you went to a Brazil Vs France game you could possibly see the odd union or Irish flag for that matter.
Nope – Credit where credit is due…
smcg
There were a lot lees than there used to be, and credit is due for that, but one UJ is one too many. It is not the UK team which plays at Windsor Park.
“It is not the UK team which plays at Windsor Park”
Dan,
Is it a team which constitutes part of the United Kingdom which plays at Windsor Park.
The Union flag does not fly in any official capacity at International matches.
“but one UJ is one too many”
But you’re not a Northern Ireland fan, are you?
If some Northern Ireland fans feel that they want to display a Union flag, that’s their perogative. It happens to be their national flag.
I’d personally prefer if they didn’t, but ain’t going to get into a hissy fit over it.
The more Northern Ireland detractors dictate what should and should not happen at Northern Ireland matches, the more Union flags will appear – and the louder the chants of “No Surrender” will be.
It’s Northern Ireland fans working for change who have to deal with that consequence.
That was a bad hammering our boys got off Iceland.
Christ knows what’ll happen when we play Tescos next week?
Dantheman
“I found the similarities between the Icelandic flag and the butchers apron uncanny”
“but one UJ is one too many. It is not the UK team which plays at Windsor Park.”
I tried to comprehensively to address your concerns in my 1.08 and 2.05 posts yesterday but you were unable or unwilling to discuss them.
Then here you are today back with silly sound bites but no substance.
If ever “Put Up or Shut Up” was more relevant
“Best fans in europe shouting uvf slogans then booing off their 3rd rate team.”
You said the above yesterday Dantheman.
You were pulled up about it.
24 hours later you’ve still offered no proof.
Afraid to “debate” the issue or what?
“Christ knows what’ll happen when we play Tescos next week?”
That was funny the first time I heard it – bit tired after a couple of hundred times tho.
PS: I’ll be backing Tescos HT/FT.
Realist,
In terms of players, NI only appear to me to have one very good player in Davis although you may take a different view. It’s natural that expectations were heightened after the fine win against England but was the Iceland game a reality check?
The Republic are supposed to have four top class players in Dunne, Given, Keane and Duff yet to me their chances of qualifying are remote. It’s OK saying Keane and Duff are world class but it’s a long time since either have done anything of note in a green jersey.
Bleak times ahead for both teams, I fear.
Have to say that I think McClaren is doing a good job as English manager in terms of clearing out deadwood like Beckham and building a decent team spirit. I reckon England could be a serious bet to win the whole shebang.
Surrealist,
“In terms of players, NI only appear to me to have one very good player in Davis although you may take a different view.”
Young Davis has enormous potential. I also rate Clinghan and Lafferty to be very good players in a couple of years.
We’ll never have a team of very good players. We expect and demand a team of very good battlers – we didnt get that on Saturday.
“It’s natural that expectations were heightened after the fine win against England but was the Iceland game a reality check?”
In four out of our last six competitive games at home, we have conceded three goals – Poland, Austria, Wales (after England) and now Iceland.
That’s just not good enough.
England, whilst a deserved victory on the night, was a freak result.
Finland away in the recent friendly had raised my hopes a little – certainly to the degree whereby I thought we would beat Iceland.
Finland go away to Poland on Saturday and beat their hosts 3-1 – crazy.
“The Republic are supposed to have four top class players in Dunne, Given, Keane and Duff yet to me their chances of qualifying are remote. It’s OK saying Keane and Duff are world class but it’s a long time since either have done anything of note in a green jersey”
I think the ROI are going to find things very tough in the immediate future. I was very surprised at the appointment of a “rookie” in Steve Staunton.
Duff has been off the boil for a while – he was disappointing at Chelsea last year.
“Have to say that I think McClaren is doing a good job as English manager in terms of clearing out deadwood like Beckham and building a decent team spirit”
Time will tell. I think I could get England safely through their Euro group
“I reckon England could be a serious bet to win the whole shebang”
Please God, no!
Perish the thought, right now.
One union flag is too much especially as we in the GAA are making all sorts of efforts to attract everyone. Sometimes I wonder who the bigots are nowadays.
Our wee team, N.Ireland, has one good player, England has one world class player, Rooney, that’s how we were able to beat them. Any continental team, including Andorra, has more natural skill than British/Irish players.That’s why we struggle against them.
As for the Republic, Duff is potentially world class, that’s it. Given is a good keeper, Keane is a fair player. Richard, our beloved “honey-monster” performs wonders week in, week out, for my team, Man City, but no-one could describe him as world class. Take a look at Cannevarro.
Great reaction to the Irish support in Germany.
12,000 travelling fans and one arrest, pretty impressive.
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/story.asp?j=194274256&p=y94z7496z&t=soccer
“One union flag is too much especially as we in the GAA are making all sorts of efforts to attract everyone. Sometimes I wonder who the ###### are nowadays.”
Is this supposed to be ironic Patrique? :-/ I could have sworn the tricolour was flown at every GAA match. Although of course that is expressing a legitimate national aspiration whereas the Union Flag is flown to intimidate nationalists.
Nothing wrong with a bit of “Brit Bashing” by the masses of craicsters in Germany.
Silly me thought they wanted to be “united” with the British people of Northern Ireland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5EIWA2VZZs
Wonder what the “Brit” born players on the team, and Sir Bobby make of it?
The last comment attributed to Patrique was mine. I’ve no idea why his name appeared.
With respect Ziznivy – If I were you I wouldn’t be too quick to admit responsibilty for a comment like “I could have sworn the tricolour was flown at every GAA match. Although of course that is expressing a legitimate national aspiration whereas the Union Flag is flown to intimidate nationalists” – Double standards anyone?
You couldn’t make it up!!
I was being sarcastic.
“Sarcastic”: (fans through “S” in mental dictionary) – Nope – You’ll have to help me out here Ziznivy – What does that mean?
Seriously though apologies for the misunderstanding!
I have just got tickets for myself and my two kids for the Spain match tomorrow night. This will be the first NI match I have attended in about six or seven years. Armenia if my memory serves me correctly.
I will be extremely interested to test this new, friendly atmosphere and check whether or not it is one I would like my kids to be part of.
Having experienced life in the full “Billy Boys” days, I remain to be convinced, but I’m willing to be pleasantly surprised.
“Although of course that is expressing a legitimate national aspiration whereas the Union Flag is flown to intimidate nationalists.”
Which would be fine if NI was a Unionist team.
You keep telling us you’re not, though.
I don’t particularly like to see Union Flags displayed at Northern Ireland matches. We are playing as a seperate country and not competing in a UK team. I will not have GAA held up as a paragon of inclusivity though. That was what my post was referring to. Perhaps you didn’t read Patrique’s comment?