A JAN HAMMER AZ ACE DALLAS IN DREAMLAND
IVANOVIC OUT TO SERB UP SOME MORE MISERY
AZERBAIJAN 0 N IRELAND 1
STUART DALLAS pounced for a smash and grab winner as Northern Ireland secured three precious World Cup points in Baku.
Michael O’neill’s men, who went into last night’s showdown second in Group C, struggled to hit the heights of previous qualifiers.
The visitors rode their luck late on as Azerbaijan, who were in control for long periods, created several chances at the death.
But it was the visitors who pounced for an unlikely victory in added time, Leeds United winger Dallas firing past the wrong footed Kamran Agayev after being teed up by Jonny Evans.
Cue wild scenes of wild celebration on the bench and among the travelling support who chanted “we’re going to top the group” on the final whistle.
That’s a long shot with Germany setting the pace at the summit, but yesterday’s win means Northern Ireland remain in the box seat to secure a
runners-up finish and potential playoff route to Russia.
In-form Ross County striker Liam Boyce, making his first competitive start after scoring in last week’s friendly win over New Zealand, had Northern Ireland’s first chance.
Chris Brunt delivered a high angled ball across goal and the former Cliftonville striker’s downward header bounced wide of the far post.
Gareth Mcauley’s injury almost cost the visitors on 23 minutes, the Baggies defender partially pulling up as Javid Huseynov released Ramil Sheydaev.
The Zilina striker raced inside the area, but with the stricken Mcauley trailing in his wake, he blazed horribly over the bar.
Northern Ireland, who lost 2-0 on their last visit here in a World Cup qualifier in 2013, were seeing very little of the ball in energy sapping temperatures of 26 degrees.
The Azeri boasted 70 per cent possession in the first half, but had to wait until the 45th minute to register their first shot on goal, Pavlo Pashayev’s long range dipper safely smothered by Michael Mcgovern.
The Azeri almost grabbed a late winner on 84 minutes when the
impressive Almeida released Ismaliyov, but the striker blazed over the bar under pressure. Another Almeida’s pass then teed up Javid Huseynov two minutes later, but the striker’s volley hit the side netting.
Northern Ireland’s winner came on 92 minutes thanks to Dallas’ second international goal. Josh Magennis headed the ball back into the danger area and Evans squared to the Leeds winger who took a touch before firing past Agayev.
Deserved? Probably not, but O’neill and his players won’t care. FACTFILE AGE 34 POSITION Striker BORN Waterford CLUB Newcastle United FORMER CLUBS Waterford, Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic, Ipswich IRELAND CAPS 23 IRELAND DEBUT Against Ecuador, 2007 FIRST IRELAND GOAL Against Serbia, 2017 5 5 5 5 5 5 3 3 1 2 0 0 2 2 4 1 2 1
L0 0 0 2 3 4 12 7 8 8 4 2 6 3 4 7 8 13 11 11 7 7 2 1 FORMER Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic says Serbia are ready to inflict more misery on Wales today. Chris Coleman’s men return to the Balkan country for the first time since their humiliating 6-1 loss in Novi Sad, in 2012. Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales have never beaten Serbia, Montenegro or Yugoslavia. They also conceded late on in Cardiff during a 1-1 draw in November and are without their suspended talisman Gareth Bale. Ivanovic, 33, said: “The game is like a ‘six-pointer’ because, if we win, we will have a big gap. There is not any connection between that last game here and now. Wales have had a lot of success – and that game was a turning point for them.”