Been there. Done that. Got the feckin’ t-shirt. Another tournament opener, another defeat. What is it with us playing away from home? It seems that regardless of supporter numbers, we just can’t win outside Windsor Park. If we move to the Maze we may never win a match again.
The very reason we did not qualify for Euro 2008 was because of games just like this. Even a point would have inspired confidence but again we have left it all to do on Wednesday. A home defeat to the Czechs will see any hopes of qualification for South Africa fade rapidly.
Both Slovak goals were completely avoidable exposing gaps in defence that given the personnel we have, should never have happened. Despite all the tales the Slovak defence had been told about David Healy he was still given chances but failed to capitalise on them. Despite a good first half performance less than a minute into the second period a clumsy foul by Gillespie allowed the Slovaks a free-kick. And that was that. Skrtel met it with a powerful header leaving Maik Taylor with no chance; our defenders playing far too deep.
Twenty-five minutes later Durcia headed the ball across the Norn Iron goalmouth to give sub Hamsik an easy tap in. Despite Durcia turning Chris Brunt’s cross into his own goal 11 minutes from time it wasn’t enough.
It seems that despite the opposition away from home they have the poison and we need the remedy. It’s all well and good knowing we’re shit away but what are we going to do about it? Hard earned money saw thousands travel again so why is it that the 12th man doesn’t come into play abroad?
Just why Martin Paterson was replaced by Chris Brunt is anyone’s guess. He had a great game in his first start for the country and was brought off when he looked threatening. We know what we have to do but there is a feeling of complacency going around that just because the Czech Republic are a big side this means we can beat them. This may well not be the case.
Final Score: Slovakia (0) 2 (Skrtel 46, Hamsik 70) Northern Ireland (0) 1 (Durica og 81)
Slovakia: Stefan Senecky, Jan Durica, Martin Skrtel, Peter Pekarik, Martin Petras, Miroslav Karhan (Radoslav Zabavnik 74), Jan Kozak, Marek Hamsik, Marek Sapara, Martin Jakubko (Dusan Svento 59), Robert Vittek
Subs: Jan Mucha, Radoslav Zabavnik, Dusan Svento, Marek Mintal, Branislav Obzera, Jan Novak, Filip Sebo
Northern Ireland: Maik Taylor, Chris Baird (Dean Shiels 78), Aaron Hughes, Stephen Craigan, George McCartney, Jonny Evans, Steven Davis, Keith Gillespie (Warren Feeny 53), Sammy Clingan, Martin Paterson (Chris Brunt 66), David Healy
Subs: Alan Mannus, Gareth McAuley, Ryan McGivern, Chris Brunt, Dean Shiels, Peter Thompson, Warren Feeny
Yellow Cards: Marek Hamsik, Keith Gillespie, Chris Brunt
Attendance: 5,445
HDMOTM: Martin Paterson |
