Powerhouse McAuley sets up final push
MANIC Monday beckons for Northern Ireland. Victory over Hungary at an expectant Windsor Park will send them to the European Championship finals for the first time after this crucial win.
Two goals from West Brom defender Gareth McAuley and a sixth of the qualifying campaign for Kyle Lafferty finally saw off the spirited Faroe Islands.
The hosts only succumbed after being reduced to 10 men in the 64th minute following the sending- off of their goalscorer Joan Edmundsson.
The result puts Michael O’Neill’s team top of Group F and Hungary’s failure to beat Romania in Budapest last night means Northern Ireland can now clinch their place at a major championships for the first time since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
O’Neill had called on his players to make history and he started with seven of the lineup held to a 1-1 draw here five years ago — a result that helped derail their attempt to qualify for Euro 2012.
Goalkeeper Michael McGovern got the nod ahead of veteran Roy Carroll, with his experience playing on an artificial pitch with Hamilton Academicals clearly of benefit on the synthetic surface at the Torsvollur Stadium.
The ground housed 10 per cent of the entire population of the Faroe Islands by kick-off.
Northern Ireland brought an additional 160 supporters and they were celebrating in the 12th minute after Gilli Sorensen was penalised for a foul on Niall McGinn.
As if Oliver Norwood’s freekick from the right wasn’t inviting enough for McAuley, poor marking allowed him to guide a header beyond former Manchester City goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen.
McGinn also went close from another Norwood set-piece but the goal only roused the home side after their uncertain start.
Conor McLaughlin was booked for blocking Hallur Hansson as he threatened to race clear down the left and suddenly McGovern was under siege. The pressure brought a deserved equaliser in the 36th minute.
Stuart Dallas should have cleared the danger but tried to take one touch too many. Ragnar Nattestadt pinched the ball and squared it to Edmundsson who steered a shot beyond McGovern from close range.
The Faroe Island striker was sent off for his second bookable foul on Norwood, clumsily going through the back of the Reading midfielder.
Northern Ireland took full advantage, scoring twice in the space of six minutes.
McAuley stooped to head in his second goal from Chris Brunt’s free kick and then Lafferty’s persistence paid off as he bundled the ball home from close range following a cross from substitute Josh Magennis. The stage is set. Roll on Monday.