Coetzee blow but Ulster bid to blast back
World champions were too good but we can still take charge of our own destiny and qualify for Russia in style, insists goal hero Josh
NORTHERN Ireland’s World Cup destiny is still in our own hands despite last night’s masterclass handed down by reigning champions Germany in their emphatic 3-1 Windsor Park victory.
But last minute consolation goalscorer Josh Magennis insisted Michael O’Neill’s men can hand out their own lesson to Norway in Sunday’s crucial closing group game in Oslo, making sure they qualify for next month’s World Cup playoffs in style.
Germany sealed top spot in Group C and a place at next summer’s finals in Russia but Northern Ireland, already confirmed in second position behind Joachim Low’s men, are still well placed on 19 points to make the two-leg play-offs and could even secure their spot ahead of the Norway game if results across Europe go their way over the next two nights.
But Magennis, who scored Northern Ireland’s goal in added time last night, says the men in green are determined to control their own destiny.
He said: “We are more than confident going to Oslo despite this defeat.
“Losing to Germany wasn’t so much a disappointment but more of a learning curve because we were playing against the best team in the world. It was important after we went two down in the second half that we didn’t capitulate because goal difference could play a huge part in making sure we reach the play-offs. We are now on plus five goal difference over our rivals so we go into the Norway game with a healthy figure in that column.”
Injury hell: Marcell Coetzee AS Ulster anxiously wait for news of Marcell Coetzee’s knee, winger Tommy Bowe has said the province must get back to winning ways against Connacht tonight (7.35pm kick-off ).
Les Kiss’s side enter the first derby of the season having suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Zebre last time out, with Bowe believing there can be no excuses against the westerners.
“We’ve looked at Zebre and we’ve learned from it and we move on,” he said.
“If we lose again this week then obviously that’s when you’d start to wonder but that’s it for us. We’re at home and it’s an inter-pro, and we want to win.”
Meanwhile, Coetzee has returned to his native South Africa to seek the opinion of a surgeon as he continues to feel discomfort in his repaired knee.
Since signing a three-year deal at Kingspan, the Springbok has played just five times and could be set for another long spell out.
ULSTER’S BIG TEST: P54-55