Warra Result
Thurs, April 2 2009
Warren Feeny, Ulster's No. 10 has given fresh hope to Northern Ireland football supporters of a trip to South Africa next summer.
In what always had the potential of being a banana skin the fortress of Windsor Park welcomed Slovenia in what was ultimately a must-win game for Northern Ireland. From the highs of Saturday this was surely one of the best atmosphere's inside Windsor Park since England back in 2005. The noise was truly immense throughout and yet again, our supporters have been given credit where credit's due.
Approximately 400 Slovenian fans were welcomed to Belfast and were a pleasure to have in our city. This is in stark contrast to the events that took place on Saturday, although we must remember not to cloud our judgement because of a small minority intent on trouble.
Slovenia were no pushover either. They came well organised in defence and not happy to settle for a point. Slovenia almost went ahead in the 10th minute but goalkeeper Maik Taylor did well to save Miso Brecko's close range effort.
The game was scrappy with Northern Ireland being offered little from the referee and winning little on the ground. Slovenia were a whisker from going ahead in the 67th minute when skipper and West Brom midfielder Robert Koren's shot from 25 yards hit the bar. Had that gone in it would have seen our dreams of qualification disappear.
Much against expectations the slow-motion of the next few minutes will remain in the heads of all those in attendance at Windsor Park. A good build-up from Jonto and Sammy Clingan saw Warren Feeney loft a header beyond the 'keeper to become Ulster's new hero of the moment.
The next 20 minutes lasted all night but Northern Ireland's World Cup Class of 2009 took victory and broke a new record of four qualification victories in a row. It just isn't dropping for Healy at the moment but who cares? We're getting the goals and South Africa is now a possibility. Distant, but still a possibility. Get in.
Final Score: Northern Ireland (0)1 (Feeney 73) Slovenia 0
Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley (Baird 16), Hughes, Evans, McCartney (McGivern 45), Johnson, Clingan, McCann, Davis, Healy, Feeney Subs Not Used: Mannus, McGinn, Shiels, Ward, Little
Slovenia: Handanovic, Mavric, Filekovic, Cesar, Jokic, Kirm (Pecnik 76), Komac, Koren, Brecko (Mejac 84), Dedic (Ljubljankic 64), Novakovic Subs Not Used: Seliga, Ilic, Suler, Zlogar
Ref: Alon Yefet (Israel)
HDMOTM: Feeno (obviously)
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