Baraclough’s boys held as hopes fade

TWO games in and the road to Qatar already looks a very difficult one for Northern Ireland.

Following their opening defeat by Italy in Parma last week, Ian Baraclough and his players knew last night’s qualifier against Bulgaria at Windsor Park was a must-win and win it they did not.

The Italians are disappearing out of sight in Group C with nine points and Switzerland also have a 100 per cent record.

Northern Ireland have not won in 11 games under Baraclough and could not break down Bulgaria, despite dominating the game.

Their best chance came in the 22nd minute when Josh Magennis latched on to a pass from captain Steven Davis — winning a UK record 126th cap — and crossed for Stuart Dallas to head against the bar.

Gavin Whyte and substitute Niall McGinn also went close in the second half, but Bulgaria almost snatched victory with their only attempt on goal in stoppage time.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell, criticised for his performance in Italy, produced a great reflex save to keep out a header from Dimitar Iliev.

‘That’s why he is in the goals,’ said Baraclough. ‘He has had to concentrate without anything to do and come up with a save like that.’

It now promises to be a long few months for Northern Ireland until their next qualifiers against Lithuania and Switzerland in September, but the manager remains upbeat.

‘It just puts a different slant on things,’ added Baraclough. ‘We have to go and beat the likes of Switzerland away from home, beat Lithuania here and away. We’ve got big results away from home before.’