2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

This was never going to be much of a friendly but the Green & White Army turned up in Glasgow in their thousands and, most notably, Jamaica Street.

In what was a dull game ten man Northern Ireland were denied victory when Allan McGregor saved David Healy's second half penner. This followed Ryan McGivern being rewarded a red card on his debut. The stands were buzzing with rumours that David Healy was off to Sunderland. With his Dad sitting next to us we felt we had justified confirmation.

Despite the result it was a good display in defence with Jonny Evans clearly standing out as the one in command. The only real threat from the Scots was McFadden although it seemed that he was more confident in his own abilities than those of his team mates.

Still, it was an opportunity to see some fresh faces with Shiels coming on for the evermore menacing Paterson, Crewe's Michael O'Connor for Sammy Clingan and most notably Man City's Ryan McGivern in the starting XI. Worthington will be content enough with a point in what was ultimately a forgettable display.

• Northern Ireland
• Maik Taylor - G/C
• Jonny Evans
• Ryan McGivern
• Sammy Clingan
• Chris Brunt
• Martin Paterson
• Gareth McAuley
• Stephen Craigan
• Chris Baird
• Steven Davis
• David Healy

• Subs
• Dean Shiels / Patterson (46)
• Warren Feeney / Brunt (55)
• Michael O'Connor / Clingan (59)
• Michael Duff / McAuley (75)

• Scotland
• Craig Gordon - G
• Stephen McManus
• Gary Naysmith
• Kevin Thomson
• James Morrison
• James McFadden
• Graham Alexander
• David Weir
• Scott Brown
• Darren Fletcher
• Kenny Miller

• Subs
• Barry Robson / McManus (46)
• Darren Barr / Thomson (46)
• Allan McGregor / Craig Gordon (46)
• Kris Commons / Morrison (62)
• Michael Stewart / Fletcher (67)
• Christophe Berra / Weir (72)

Location: Hampden Park, Glasgow.

Northern Ireland supporters will have been spewing with what was a poor performance by Worthington's team in sunny Bratislava.

It was two set pieces, which saw N Ireland yet again begin a campaign with defeat. Both came in the second half with Liverpool's Martin Skrtl's flicked header and later in the 69th minute by Marek Hamsik. Despite this our boys started well with David Healy showing some intent early on. Sammy Clingan looked lively but again there was an obvious over-dependence for David Healy to go and finish things off.

It was ultimately poor marking at the back that led to Northern Ireland's demise. Skrtl was all too easily able to pull away from his marker to head easily beyond Maik Taylor to give the home side the lead. Keith Gillespie was clearly troubled with an ankle injury and wasn't showing the same spark he would usually. It was a body blow when Slovakia went two ahead through Hamsik.

An own goal by Durcia handed us a lifeline and it looked for a moment that a point could be achievable with Warren Feeney, a replacement for Keith Gillespie, almost equalized on the stroke of full-time only for Senecky to claw the shot over the crossbar. It wasn't to be. It's the fourth tournament in a row that Northern Ireland have failed to win. It didn't destroy the party atmosphere on a balmy night in Bratislava. Let's just hope for three points against the Czech Republic.

• Northern Ireland
• Maik Taylor - G
• Aaron Hughes - C
• George McCartney
• Steven Davis
• Sammy Clingan
• David Healy
• Chris Baird
• Stephen Craigan
• Jonny Evans
• Keith Gillespie
• Martin Paterson

• Subs
• Chris Brunt / Patterson (59)
• Dean Shiels / Brunt (78)
• Warren Feeney / Gillespie (53)

• Slovakia
• Stefan Senecky - G
• Martin Skrtel
• Martin Petras
• Jan Kozak
• Marek Hamsik
• Robert Vittek - C
• Jan Durica
• Peter Pekarik
• Miroslav Karhan
• Martin Jakubko
• Marek Sapara

• Subs
• Dusan Svento / Jakubko (59)
• Radoslav Zabavnik / Karhan (75)
• Marek Mintal / Vittek (84)

Location: Tehelne Pole, Bratislava.

Northern Ireland managed to secure their first point in the Group Qualifiers with a scoreless draw against the Czech Republic. With Davis out of the squad this was a game Norn Iron knew they could not afford to lose.

Yet again, it was pissing it down. What is it about Windsor Park? It seems to just rain there all the time. There was a scare for Northern Ireland early on when Marek Jankulovski delivered a free kick from distance that almost deceived Maik Taylor who had to tip the ball over the bar. The Czechs came close again three minutes later after Radek Sirl swung in a corner from the right. Radoslav Kovac peeled away from his marker and headed narrowly over.

Milan Baros should have put the Czech Republic ahead on half time but headed wide following a cross from Zdenek Grygera.

Northern Ireland began the second half brightly and Cech did well to block a decent effort from Feeno in the 51st minute. Gillespie was showing little sign of that ankle injury which had been giving him grief and was showing some of his old form.

A chance on 78 minutes saw Pato getting on the end of a cross from Brunt but heading wide of the post. Overall, this was a much better performance than against Slovakia against a team who are ranked eighth in the world. Whether this is enough though, is anyone's guess.

• Northern Ireland
• Maik Taylor - G
• Jonny Evans
• Stephen Craigan
• Sammy Clingan
• Chris Brunt
• Warren Feeney
• George McCartney
• Aaron Hughes - C
• Keith Gillespie
• Chris Baird
• David Healy

• Subs
• Michael O'Connor / Clingan (46)
• Martin Paterson / Feeney (72)
• Dean Shiels / Gillespie (84)

• Czech Repulic
• Petr Cech - G
• Marek Jankulovski
• Tomas Ujfalusi
• Jaroslav Plasil
• Libor Sionko
• Milan Baros
• Zdenek Grygera
• David Rozehnal
• Radoslav Kovac
• Jan Polak
• Radek Sirl

• Subs
• Zdenek Pospech / Sionko (67)
• Miroslav Slepicka / Baros (78)

Location: Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland suffered their second defeat in three World Cup qualifiers after crumbling late in the Group Three game against Slovenia. Despite the performance being markedly improved, there will be bitter disappointment and this result could tell it's own story at the end of the campaign.

Goals from Milivoje Novakovic and substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic in the 84th and 85th saw disappointment and disbelief on the faces of the 1,200 traveling Northern Ireland supporters. Decent chances from Kyle Lafferty and Jonny Evans put paid to any chance of taking anything from this game.

The result means that N Ireland are now six points off the pace, which is just too much. We may have blown this again. A late booking to Jonny Evans leading in a suspension for Wednesday's game against San Marino will do little encouragement. A decent 0-0 result at home against the Czech Republic had most Northern Ireland supporters believing that something was to be had in this game. The breakthrough for the home side finally came in the 84th minute when Novakovic and substitute Ljubijankic added to Northern Ireland misery. Despite some encouraging play, Northern Ireland never really threatened with only two shots on target all game.

The players and fans alike are bitterly disappointed with this one and even though we fully expect to take six points from San Marino, it still may not be enough.

• Northern Ireland
• Maik Taylor - G
• George McCartney
• Chris Baird
• Steven Davis
• Aaron Hughes - C
• Kyle Lafferty
• Gareth McAuley
• Jonny Evans
• Keith Gillespie
• Grant McCann
• David Healy

• Subs
• Ryan McGivern / McCann (73)

• Slovenia
• Samir Handanovic - G
• Marko Suler
• Mirnes Sisic
• Andrej Komac
• Milivoje Novakovic
• Branko Ilic
• Miso Brecko
• Bostjan Cesar
• Robert Koren
• Andraz Kirm
• Zlatko Dedic

• Subs
• Zlatan Ljubijankic / Dedic (69)
• Valter Birsa / Sisic (81)
• Darijan Matic / Kirm (90)

Location: Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland got their World Cup campaign back on track with a decent win over lowly San Marino.

It was David Healy who got us off the mark after a nervy opening from a decent ball from Biggles McCartney. Just before half-time Healy managed to keep the ball in play to pass back to Grant McCann who promptly made it 2-0. Time to relax and unclench the arse.

However, San Marino were defending in numbers and Northern Ireland were finding it hard to break them down. Michael O'Connor and Steve Davis came close but it wasn't to take too long before Laffers stepped up to finish off Healy's effort following a fine save from San Marino 'keeper Valintini. In the bag.

One more would have been nice and that is just what Steve Davis supplied after a great cross from Lafferty. It could have been more too, with McGivern being denied and a great header saved from McCartney in the closing minutes. Good result. Now we just need to do the same at their place and win every game we have left.

• Northern Ireland
• Maik Taylor - G
• George McCartney
• Steven Davis
• Kyle Lafferty
• Aaron Hughes - C
• Gareth McAuley
• Chris Baird
• Keith Gillespie
• David Healy
• Grant McCann

• Subs
• Ryan McGivern / McAuley (61)
• Martin Paterson / McCann (72)
• Warren Feeney / Lafferty (82)
• Stephen Craigan
• Damien Johnson

• San Marino
• Federico Valentini - G
• Mauro Marani
• Alessandro Della Valle
• Giovanni Bonini
• Manuel Marani
• Damiano Vannucchi
• Carlo Valentini - C
• Nicola Albani
• Simone Bacciocchi
• Michele Marani
• Andy Selva

• Subs
• Matteo Vitaioli / Selva (46)
• Fabio Vitaioli / Bonini (77)
• Enrico Cibelli / Manuel Marani (86)

Location: Windsor Park.

What a waste of time this was. How many friendlies do we have to play on a Wednesday night in the pissing rain? Miserable. The next morning most supporters probably couldn't even remember being there. Hungary, in the end, were deserved winners in what must be one of the most forgettable performances in the history of football.

A 57th minute goal from Torghelle and a 71st from Gera rightly rewarded Hungary for a strong and domineering first half performance. We should have been in a confident mood but this result makes it a tetchy trip to San Marino in February.

Unfortunately, there is little of note to write about this game without the risk of falling asleep. Banbridge lad Jonathan Tuffey made his debut and Sammy Clingan saw himself take the captains armband for the first time. Derry City's Niall McGinn also made his debut replacing Duff and did well with an effort off the top of the bar.

So, there you go. A very friendly waste of time.

• Northern Ireland
• Maik Taylor - G
• Chris Baird
• Ryan McGivern
• Keith Gillespie
• Kyle Lafferty
• Chris Brunt
• Michael Duff
• Jonny Evans
• Sammy Clingan
• Michael O'Connor
• David Healy

• Subs
• Jonathan Tuffey / Taylor (46)
• Warren Feeney / Lafferty (46)
• Niall McGinn / Duff (55)
• Martin Paterson / Brunt (69)
• Peter Thompson / Healy (88)

• Hungary
• Gabor Babos - G
• Gergely Rudolf
• Vilmos Vanczak
• Krisztian Vadocz
• Sandor Torghelle
• Peter Halmosi
• Laszlo Bodnar - C
• Roland Juhasz
• Balazs Toth
• Szabolcs Huszti
• Zoltan Gera

• Subs
• Robert Feczesin / Torghelle (81)
• Balazs Dzsudzsak / Huszti (83)
• Pal Dardai / Vadocz (88)

Location: Windsor Park.

The Northern Ireland football faithful are never short of surprises. Ok, so it might only be February but no one expected the ferocity of the appalling weather conditions in Italy.

It was touch and go and it was only a last minute pitch inspection that saw the game go ahead. Despite freezing conditions the GAWA faithful were treated to another convincing performance, three points and a quick glimpse at what it looks like to be second in the table, despite playing more games.

Early doors a Grant McCann corner fell to a stretching Gareth McAuley who shot it straight into the net. Impossible to stop and from this point on confidence grew. After 32 minutes McCann accorded himself a great goal taking the ball from his left to his right foot and will be delighted with another mark on the score sheet for his country. Paterson showed steadfast confidence in the first half and was an annoyance to the home team in every respect.

The second half saw Kyle Lafferty come off for Chris Brunt and Northern Ireland were looking like they were going to fall into the trap of conceding a goal with none of the back four making any determined effort to get a grip on the game. In the 63rd minute a Stephen Craigan free kick saw Chris Brunt step up to get his first international goal. 3-0 and in the bag.

The Northern Ireland supporters were in tremendous voice with Jim Rainey having the advantage of a boom mike in close proximity to his loud hailer. In the 79th minute however, Biggles was booked and will also miss the next game as well as Davis earlier. At the same time Hughsie swapped armbands with Maik Taylor and was replaced by Celtic's Pat McCourt.

Not the best news on the booking front but into 2nd place in the Group. Good to see some goals coming from the unliklies and superb to hear the GAWA in superb voice. Yet again, we really were quite tremendous. Obviously a full, proper match report will be in HD11, out for the double header, but let's just enjoy this for now.

• Northern Ireland
• Maik Taylor - G
• George McCartney
• Steven Davis
• Grant McCann
• Martin Paterson
• Aaron Hughes - C
• Gareth McAuley
• Stephen Craigan
• Damien Johnson
• David Healy
• Kyle Lafferty

• Subs
• Chris Brunt / Lafferty (56)
• Warren Feeney / Patterson (77)

• San Marino
• Federico Valentini - G
• Damiano Vannucchi
• Davide Simoncini
• Maicol Berretti
• Manuel Marani
• Michele Marani
• Carlo Valentini - C
• Alessandro Della Valle
• Simone Bacciocchi
• Riccardo Muccioli
• Matteo Vitaioli

• Subs
• Matteo Bugli / Muccioli (67)
• Fabio Vitaioli / Bacciocchi (79)
• Marco Casadei / Vitaioli (86)

Location: Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle.

There were rumours that this game to potentially be a flash point with stories abound that far-right ultras were travelling intent on violence. Little did we know that the resulting melee before and after the match was the result of much more localised planning, targeting Northern Ireland supporters for sectarian reasons. We've moved on from all that, and don't they know it. Give us a break FFS.

This was a huge game. With five games to play Northern Ireland knew they had a job on, but at the same time knew of the vulnerabilities with the Polish defense. From the outset their back four looked shabby and Warren Feeney should have capitalized in the third minute but shout just wide. Our boys kept up the pressure and in the 10th minute Brunty crossed to Damien Johnson who's header on was just sublime, leaving Feeney to opening the score with an open goal. The crowd tonight was immense and with Boruc not exactly seeming too popular following the hostilities earlier in the day, so the goal was celebrated in true Windsor style.

We kept on the pressure but couldn't capitalize and were eventually caught out in the 27th minute when Gerreiro Roger supplied Jelen who easily beat Maik Taylor to level the scores. And so it dragged on to halftime, but there was a good feeling about this game. The atmosphere was intense, made all the more exciting by the fire flairs in the Polish end. It was a true European game.

We came out and pretty much made it 2-1 immediately with a Grant McCann corner allowing Jonny Evans to sweep past Artur Boruc to the deafening delight of the GAWA. The Poles however responded well with Maik Taylor being kept on his guard with a free kick from Jacek Krzynowek. What happened next will go down in Northern Irish folklore forever. Playing safe a back-pass from Michal Zewlakow drifted, in slow motion, towards Artur Boruc who was poised to simply lift the ball into his firm hands, but for a bobble on the pitch that was positioned there by green and white angels only moments before. The ball divinely bounced perfectly on the apex of the bobble, cruising over Boruc's hands, slowly and gently drifting into the net. The crowd went absolutely mental. Northern Ireland supporters were choking with excitement and laughter. Artur Boruc… Ulster's No 1.

3-1 up with 30 minutes to go had us all twitching our posteriors. We know what we’re like, especially against Poland. We persevered and nearly installed a fourth when McCauley narrowly headed over from another great McCann corner. It looked like we were holding on. In a vain attempt to spoil the party sub Marek Saganowski headed Poland's second from a Jakub Wawrzyniak corner. It was too little too late and a truly phenomenal result for Northern Ireland, giving us a glimmer of hope at least.

• Team
• Maik Taylor - G
• Stephen Craigan
• Aaron Hughes
• Gareth McAuley
• Jonny Evans
• Damien Johnson
• Grant McCann
• Chris Brunt
• Sammy Clingan
• David Healy
• Warren Feeney

• Subs
• Chris Baird / Feeney (83)
• Andrew Little / Healy (91)

• Poland
• Artur Boruc - G
• Marcin Wasilewski
• Jakub Wawrzyniak
• Michal Zewlakow
• Jacek Krzynowek
• Mariusz Lewandowski
• Tomasz Bandrowski
• Dariusz Dudka
• Ireneusz Jelen
• Robert Lewandowski
• Guerreiro Roger

• Subs
• Jakub Blaszczykowski / Bandrowski (60)
• Bartosz Bosacki / Zewlakow (65)
• Marek Saganowski / Jelen (71)

Location: Windsor Park.

The victory over Poland was immense giving Northern Ireland supporters something to look forward to as we welcomed Slovenia to Windsor Park. Their supporters came in admirable numbers but managed to behave themselves impeccably throughout.

It was a hard fought game and it was no surprise, despite the sprightly start by Northern Ireland that they were going to have difficulty breaking them down. The Slovenians were sturdy and were unlucky not to take the lead in the tenth minute following a close-range effort from Miso Brecko. McAuley, who had a great game against the Poles, limped off midway through the first half to be replaced by Chris Baird. The Slovenians pressed hard and nearly grabbed another opportunity when Andrej Komac nearly scored from the corner spot. Healy had a frustrating first half with a half opportunity going over the bar. The lack of first team football with Sunderland is beginning to show and Healy’s body language says it all.

At halftime Worthers swapped McGivern for Biggles McCartney and a bright start saw Healy take another chance that tested Slovenian 'keeper Handanovic. Grant McCann is quickly becoming Ulster's David Beckham when it comes to taking corner kicks and Damien Johnson nearly scored from one on the 67th minute heading just over the bar. From the goal kick Northern Ireland nearly got caught out with West Brom's Robert Koren picking up the ball and cracking a shot off the bar from 25 yards. Taylor would not have stood a chance. The atmosphere tonight was not quite what it was against the Poles but the smell of three points was in the air.

Our breakthrough came a few moments later with Clingan picking up the ball and playing to Jonto who placed a sublime ball onto the head of Warren Feeney to glance beyond the Slovenian 'keeper. 14,000 hardy GAWA were absolutely delighted for the popular Feeny who quickly replaced Artur Boruc as Ulster's No. 1.

This victory, despite having played an extra game, leaves Northern Ireland in the preposterous position of being top of the Group. Bizarre when you think how we started. Suddenly the hopes are up but remember, it's the hope we can't stand!

• Team
• Maik Taylor - G
• Aaron Hughes
• George McCartney
• Sammy Clingan
• Steven Davis
• David Healy
• Gareth McAuley
• Jonny Evans
• Damien Johnson
• Grant McCann
• Warren Feeney

• Subs
• Chris Baird / McAuley (16)
• Ryan McGivern / McCartney (46)

• Team
• Jasmin Handanovic - G
• Bostjan Cesar
• Bojan Jokic
• Andrej Komac
• Miso Brecko
• Milivoje Novakovic
• Matej Mavric
• Suad Filekovic
• Andraz Kirm
• Robert Koren
• Zlatko Dedic

• Subs
• Zlatan Ljubijankic / Dedic (64)
• Nejc Pecnik / Kirm (77)
• Ales Mejac / Brecko (85)

Location: Windsor Park.

Yawn, yawn. It's very rare we get friendlies that actually muster any excitement although my last recollection of seeing Israel at Windsor was when we qualified for the World Cup in 1982. But, as with all things, this was an opportunity for Worthers to try a few new faces in the knowledge the result was irrelevant. What was important was to suss out the depth of the squad for the next spate of qualifiers next month.

Andrew Little was included in the squad again and it was also a chance to see Celtic's Niall McGinn and Partick's Jonathan Tuffey between the sticks. This was also David Healy's 75th cap, and having been stuck on 35 goals for what seems an eternity, no doubt he'd be out to prove something. What was important was a decent performance and three points would be just the ticket ahead of next month's game with Poland. An early goal came from a 20-yard free kick to beat Israel 'keeper Aouate. This was McCann's fourth goal for his country following a successful season at unlikely Scunthorpe.

It didn't take long for the Israeli's to respond with Barda who showed a nice piece of footwork clipping his effort over Maik Taylor to level the scores. Northern Ireland came close minutes later but Lafferty's effort from a Chris Baird cross was saved. Similarly, at the other end, Jonto had to clear off the line when Dekel Keinan shook clear of is marker to power a header goalwards.

Both teams swapped their 'keepers in the second half with Jonathan Tuffey swapping shirts with big Maik, whilst Nir Davidovich came on for Aouate. The Israel 'keeper was quickly tested by Healy but to no avail. Chances came for both sides with Steve Davis coming frustratingly close in the 69th minute only to see the ball cleared. Both Pato and McAuley came on as subs and showed promise but in the end the spoils were shared and Worthington can take heart from a not-that-bad game and some encouraging performances, especially from Grant McCann who is really proving his worth, especially from set pieces.

It will be a different story in Poland next month. Northern Ireland needs something from the game so tonight's game wasn't as useless as we all thought it might be.

• Team
• Maik Taylor - G
• Aaron Hughes
• George McCartney
• Sammy Clingan
• Chris Brunt
• David Healy
• Kyle Lafferty
• Stephen Craigan
• Damien Johnson
• Grant McCann
• Chris Baird

• Subs
• Niall McGinn / Johnson (46)
• Jonathan Tuffey / Taylor (46)
• Gareth McAuley / Hughes (46)
• Steven Davis / Brunt (46)
• Martin Paterson / Healy (64)
• Ryan McGivern / Craigan (70)

• Team
• Dudu Aouate - G
• Dekil Keinan
• Dedi Ben Dayan
• Eyal Meshumar
• Avi Strool
• Tamir Cohen
• Yossi Benayoun
• Elyaniv Barda
• Avihai Yadin

• Subs
• Ben Haim / Keinan (46)
• Kiyal / Cohen (46)
• Nir Davidovich / Aouate (46)
• Salim Tuama / Benayoun (54)
• Yoav Ziv / Yadin (65)
• Dean Mori / Strool (71)

Location: Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland kept their World Cup dreams alive on with a 1-1 draw away in Poland.

Kyle Lafferty looked set to be the local hero but a late equaliser from Mariusz Lewandowski stole away a valuable away victory.

This venue had been changed more time than not and as always; such decisions rarely consider arrangements that have already been made by traveling supporters. Many, in this instance, had booked Berlin and so had to endure a 14-hour return bus journey to the stadium. Ok, so there were security fears but even still. Who’s going to compensate for all the extra expense?

The Poles started the brighter but the likes of Gareth McAuley was in commanding form, holding the back four in place to stave off the pressure. Lafferty was always going to start this day and from the off was proving to be a handful firing the first opportunity of the game narrowly wide.

As the Northern Ireland supporters extolled the virtues of the wonderful Artur Boruc, Lafferty took his opportunity in the 38th minute beating the offside trap and slotting through the legs of Ulster’s No. 1 to put us 1-0 in front.

OK. The score may not have represented fairly what was going on the pitch with the Poles plying pressure and looking likely to score at any given moment. Jonny Evans had to clear off the line but other opportunities by the hosts were wasted.

Northern Ireland should really have gone two goals to the good in the second half when Martin Paterson sliding the ball nail bitingly wide after getting clear of his marker. It will be very frustrating for Pato who really deserves to have scored for his country by now. We all pretty much knew the Poles would get something from the game and, lo and behold, Lewandowski equalized poking a low cross past Taylor ten minutes from time.

Northern Ireland defended in numbers tonight and it paid off. The Poles needed three points from this and they didn’t get them. We needed something from this and we got it giving us now a real firm chance of perhaps reaching the playoffs. We wouldn’t have been saying that a year ago would we?

• Team
• Maik Taylor - G
• Stephen Craigan
• Jonny Evans
• Sammy Clingan
• Steven Davis
• David Healy
• Gareth McAuley
• Aaron Hughes
• Damien Johnson
• Grant McCann
• Kyle Lafferty

• Subs
• Paterson / Lafferty (54)

• Team
• Artur Boruc - G
• Daruisz Dudka
• Rafal Murawski
• Jakub Blaszczykowski
• Pawel Brozek
• Pawel Golanski
• Guerreiro Roger
• Jacek Krzynowek
• Ludovic Obraniak
• Mariusz Lewandowski

• Subs
• Smolarek / Obraniak (46)
• Lewandowski / Murawski (61)

Location: Stadion Florian Kryger, Szczecin.

Tonight was the night. Northern Ireland knew a victory tonight would have put us in with a very, very real opportunity of reaching South Africa next summer. Tonight we welcomed Slovakia and their supporters to what we hoped would be a Windsor Park so intimating that the visitors will leave for home embarrassed and empty handed.

Slovakia look poised to have deservedly booked their place next summer so the GAWA knew this was not going to be an easy game, but hopefully we could capitalise on the confidence from the point picked up in Poland. N Ireland could have gone ahead in the first minute with Healy testing Mucha following a great ball from Pato. From the off the visitors were looking very sprightly indeed and it didn't take long for the Slovaks to make the breakthrough when Man City's Vladimir Weiss, son of the Slovak coach, left Jonny Evans for dust laying the ball into the path of Sestak to put the visitors ahead.

The story stayed the same for the rest of the first half with the home side finding it difficult to break down the very fir Slovaks. They really did look like the true reflection their position in the table. However, the second half saw the bar raised a little with a decent cross from McCann seeing Johnson narrowly head over the top. Again Paterson was showing signs of his opening international goal but was again denied by Mucha but at least the visitors were starting to look vulnerable at the back.

However, on the 66th minute Slovakia made it 2-0 following a decent counter-attack with sub Holosko knocking the ball past Maik Taylor only seconds after coming off the bench. The crowd were almost in tears. How could we be this poor on a night when we needed to be at our best? Niall McGinn almost got a goal back for us in the 71st minute but clipped of the post.

And so it was. The defeat, the first in six qualifiers, has left us with little or no chance of qualification. If only we handed cocked up those early games. It's off to Prague next month but we will quite literally have to expect for a miracle.

• Team
• Maik Taylor
• Stephen Craigan
• Jonny Evans
• Grant McCann
• David Healy
• Steven Davis
• Gareth McAuley
• Aaron Hughes
• Damien Johnson
• Sammy Clingan
• Martin Paterson

• Subs
• Baird / Clingan (71)
• McGinn / McCann (71)
• Brunt / Paterson (76)

• Team
• Jan Mucha
• Peter Pekarik
• Radoslav Zabavnik
• Vladimir Weiss
• Stanislav Sestak
• Robert Vittek
• Zdeno Strba
• Zdeno Strba
• Jan Durica
• Kamil Kopunek
• Miroslav Stoch

• Subs
• Holosko / Sestak (65)
• Jendrisek / Stoch (80)
• Sapara / Weiss (90)

Location: Windsor Park.

Nearly 1,500 GAWA braved the cold tonight in beautiful Prague for what we knew was a game we could only play for pride and pride only.

Throughout the campaign, except at the beginning, we have proven to be consistent and can dominate teams, especially in Belfast. Tonight Celtic's Niall McGinn made his first start and certainly looks set to be a starlet of the future for N Ireland. Throughout the game he kept the home side on their toes, even though those of us in the stands were losing the feeling in ours.

The game itself was a bit of a non-event and, if truth be told, quite difficult to concentrate on given there was nothing to play for and the freezing temperatures. Despite this, N Ireland did well from the start with Hughsie heading just wide early on. McGinn and Johnson were being worked well on the flanks and it made for some exciting football.

The Czechs were struggling to build but in the 34th minute Tomas Necid got on the end of a deep cross from David Jarolim only for Craigan to block. Just before halftime Steven Davis should have scored from a Jonto cross only for it to trickle wide of the post. He should have done better. Moments later McGinn half-volleyed only for Petr Cech to turn the ball just past the post.

Early in the second half again McGinn skipped past two defenders attempting to place his effort beyond Cech into the corner, but put too much pace on the ball and watched it go wide. He really was having a tremendous full senior debut.

And so it went on with Northern Ireland enjoying the majority of possession. Again, Healy was looking off form and a set-up from McGinn saw him shoot weakly in to the arms of Petr Cech. He is clearly just not at the races at the moment. Warren Feeney was resultantly drafted into the action after 68 minutes in the hope of getting something even though the Czechs were anxious to finish with three points. They had their wishes almost realised when Jankulovski cracked in a shot from the edge of the area but Maik Taylor was on the ball saving our blushes.

And so it was. A point away from home in anyone's book is an acceptable result, especially here in the Czech Republic. Northern Ireland has failed again to qualify for a major tournament, but only just. Nigel Worthington can take great solace from the strength and determination of his young squad and the fact that it all does bode well for the future. It will take time; we always knew it would, so let's look towards the Euros in 2012. That's probably more our bag anyway. Plus, South Africa is a long way away, the tournament is going to be in the middle of their winter and it's going to be far too expensive to get there, now that the Englanders have qualified. Grrrrr.

• Team
• Maik Taylor
• Stephen Craigan
• David Healy
• Chris Baird
• Gareth McAuley
• Niall McGinn
• Aaron Hughes
• Damien Johnson
• Grant McCann
• Steven Davis
• Ryan McGivern

• Subs
• Feeney / Healy (69)
• O'Connor / McCann (80)

• Team
• Petr Cech
• David Jarolim
• Tomas Sivok
• Marek Jankulovski
• Jaroslav Plasil
• Tomas Necid
• Milan Baros
• Tomas Hubschmann
• Roman Hubnik
• Tomas Rosicky
• Zdenek Pospech

• Subs
• Adam Hlousek / Necid (60)
• Jiri Stajner / Rosicky (72)
• Michal Papadopulos / Jarolim (83)

Location: Synot Tip Arena.