Not against and avid
and hardened German National Team, would the Norn Iron could pull a miracle or
upset, especially if these are playing as locals and in these early stages of
this tournament, Joachim Low’s chaps will not be surrendering any points.
After a raucous, win against
a weak San Marino over the weekend, the Boys from North Ireland were coming
with a one of a kind momentum and were
to face one of their most toughest and top of the line challenges.
As the North Ireland
chaps came with the label of underdogs, still their hopes were to net a
possible upset to the Germans and at home, that would been a very amazing feat
for a squad not even considered to be among the top three in this group.
Still playing one of
the paramount of national squads in its group and the Norn Iron already playing
with such resilience and determination, this match could been a shoot in the
arm if a win or draw would come in for them.
With Michael O’ Neill
the Green and White Army Boss, this match meant a lot for him and his squad, to
pull and upset in foreign lands would been amazing and for Ripley in these
stages for his Northern Boys to slay the giant.
The unfortunate side
of the coin came for an Irish squad not prepared to face a German push and
counter offensive and with a total mastery in the field, as they are known for,
very well seeing how a Hannover Arena went into a total frenzy.
As the thirteenth
minute would, been the awful one of the Norn Iron after Julian Draxler opened
the score with a nice shoot that keeper Mc Govern could not contain for the
early lead for the home squad, no later when Mats Hummel has converted the
second goal for the final score of 2-0.
Despite the early
lead for the home squad, the Norn Iron via Jonny Evans sent a nice pass above
the German defense to an open Jamie Ward that did his mischief to test the
posts of Manuel Neuer with no luck howsoever.
As opportunities came
for the Northern Ireland chaps via Jamie Ward that at the end just became
simple threats and the majority of this match became dominated by a competent
and top of the line defending and playing with lots of inspiration.
With the Germans after
seeing certain dominance beyond the Norn Iron defensive backfield, its top men
in Sami Khedira, Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze and Ilkay Gundogan, looking towards
to beat the Norn Iron defense and extend their lead.
Little these could do
with a very defensive and stubborn Irish keeper Michael Mc Govern who did not
allow the locals any liberties and prevented in what seemed a goal fest.
At the end, this loss
was a lesson well learned by Northern Ireland Manager Michael O’ Neill who has
to prepare his squad ahead his next compromise in November against a resurgent and
surprising Azerbaijan.
This squad playing a one
of a kind football and currently in second place with seven points behind
Germany seeded in first place with nine points and North Ireland with four
points.
The Green and White
Army November 11 compromise at home in Windsor Stadium to play Azerbaijan with
the all the elements of a final and a win can place the Norn Iron in second
place to close the year with a high note.
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
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Credit and Property of © Irish Football Association 2016.
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