After a series of stellar
performances from the Boys of North Ireland in the past Euro qualifiers and the
tournament itself, for Manager Michael O’ Neill was one down another to go. As the
start of the World Cup qualifiers, the road to Russia is looking a bit difficult
for the boys of the Norn Iron.
The Green and White Army has been put in such not
easy company with the squads of the likes of Germany, Azerbaijan, Czech
Republic, San Marino and Norway, making Group C as an all-around challenge.
Especially with not so
easy company in squads of the likes of Germany, Czech Republic and Norway, who
are not a walk in the park and considered as the foes to beat if the Norn Iron,
wants to make it all the way to the grand fete of football.
Still for the Northern
Boys the question arises if how the initial eleven and what kind of football strategies
will their Boss Michael o’ Neill implement to make I and put on a contest to
their foes till its end.
Despite Lady Luck, not being kind with the squad
of North Ireland in both FIFA group designation process for the qualifiers and
now their first match scheduled as an away to play at Prague’s majestic Generali
Arena.
Considered a s very
tough endeavor but not impossible, playing in front of the Czechs tough crowd alongside
a squad rated among the tops in the world and all at once. The outcome of the
Norn Iron did not look promising at all, but that was not an excuse to give
away or intimidated by your foes.
Something that the
Green and White Army Boss O’ Neill do not carry with him is a quitting attitude
but a fighting one and never giving up in his quest of delivering another
satisfaction to this country football federation and its followers.
Armed with all around
valor and courage, his initial formation with a 4-1-4-1 formation he sent to
quell and stop cold in its tracks a tough Czech Republic offensive and dynamic minded
football that has lauded for this squad its much-lauded reputation.
With four defenders
in the middle in West Brom defenders Jonny Evans and Gareth Mc Autley- these with
the company in the wings by Conor Mc
Laughlin and Shane Ferguson, who at the end rose to the occasion and netted all
sorts of compliments in their defensive game.
As far possible, the
Czech strikers from the posts defended by veteran keeper Michael Mc Govern who
once again put on a display of heroics and stingy defense of his posts with
such overzealous approach.
At the end, Mc Govern
became alongside with his defensive backfield the local squad nightmare.
In addition, defensive
indeed, was the course of this match despite the Norn Iron having its its opportunities
wasted, that at the end many players admit their fault of not putting in
display their best football that cost them three points.
Still they rescue one
point and by not losing in Prague, became in what many saw a job well done and
this achievement will give O’ Neill squad a shoot in the arm of much needed
optimism.
For North Ireland
upcoming compromise to be played at home in Windsor Park to a modest and weak San
Marino squad, the prospects of scoring an easy victory can be put on a test for
the Green and White Army strike force.
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Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
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2016
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