Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan Offical Match Programme

MANAGER’S VIEW Tonight we face the fourth match of our World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign, and things have gone as expected to date. We had a battling draw in Prague followed by an I\TIGXIH [MR MR &IPJEWX ERH E HIJIEX MR ,ERRSZIV Of course, that last sentence does not tell the whole story. A draw away from home against one of your main rivals is a positive start, but the San Marino team made us work hard for the home victory and we can once again be thankful for Steven Davis who [EW QEKRMƤGIRX JVSQ FIKMRRMRK XS IRH ERH - [EW particularly pleased that Kyle was able to bag two goals from the bench, showing just what he can do if he gets game time. The match in Hannover could have been very different. At 2-0 down after 17 minutes against Germany we were facing a huge challenge but this XIEQ EVI RSXLMRK MJ RSX ƤKLXIVW ERH HIWTMXI XLI world champions having much more of the ball we dug in and didn’t deserve to lose any more goals. Few teams, if any, in this campaign group will come back from Germany with points - and that makes tonight’s match all the more important. Azerbaijan have started with two wins and a draw but have yet to play Germany. They will come here JYPP SJ GSRƤHIRGI ERH EW YWYEP [MPP RS HSYFX FI VIWSPYXI MR HIJIRGI ERH HMJƤGYPX XS FVIEO HS[R

It is a game plan that we are prepared for. I remember too painfully the last match they played here in November 2012 when only a typical piece of opportunistic quick thinking from David Healy earned us a draw. We must be vigilant and ensure that they cannot hit us on the break. Looking at the group as a whole and how it is likely to pan out, taking full points here at the National Football Stadium will be vital as we strive to be in the top two in the group and earn at least a play-off spot. However, this means we cannot go gung ho at teams. Depending on the match and how it is going we must be patient and wait for the opportunities that undoubtedly will come, and I believe we have the players who are capable of capitalising on such opportunities when they arise. Thank you again for all your support at the last home match. It was great to play in the completed stadium with support coming from all four sides – if that doesn’t inspire you nothing will!. Michael O’Neill 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH 1EREKIV

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