
PRESIDENT’S
WELCOME
The game is in round four of the series of group
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teams to be in second place in the group going into
the winter break.
Last month Northern Ireland took three points from
the home game with San Marino, winning 4-0 at a
packed stadium with more than 18,200 supporters
cheering us to victory.
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of the new and refurbished stadium which was
celebrated so enthusiastically by everyone who
was there.
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performance against the world champions
Germany in Hannover which saw the Germans win
by two goals to nil.
Azerbaijan come to Belfast having earned the right
to second place in the group as it stands with wins
against Norway and San Marino together with a
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on seven points.
They have previously played Northern Ireland on
four occasions, all in World Cup qualifying, with one
win each and two games being drawn.
It is a big game for both countries tonight and
we are hoping Northern Ireland will keep up their
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round of games which take place at the end of
March 2017.
The National Football Stadium was not alone in
receiving a ‘makeover’ for the beginning of the
World Cup 2018 campaign as our souvenir match
programme also saw a change in layout, design
and overall presentation.
The feedback has been great and thanks go to the
entire editorial and communications team together
with all the contributors and advertisers for the
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Tonight, on the 11 November annual date for
remembrance, the Irish Football Association
acknowledges the great debt we all owe to the
many who served, fought and died at war.
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we pay our respects prior to the game.
Thanks for coming along to support the manager
and players. The fan support against San Marino
last month was uplifting for the team and we look
forward to more of the same during this match.
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have a safe journey home.
David J Martin
President
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www.irishfa.com3