Northern Ireland v Germany

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME £4

UEFA EURO 2020 QUALIFIER GROUP C NATIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUMATWINDSOR PARK 09.09.19 19:45

UP TO 70% OFF ALL SHIRTS * * WHILST STOCK LASTS

EXCLUSIVE RETAIL PARTNER

CONTENTS

TEAMS

2

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

3

MICHAEL O’NEILL

5

PATRICK NELSON

7

NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD 16 CONOR WASHINGTON INTERVIEW 18 DID YOU KNOW? 22 THE OPPONENTS - GERMANY 33 BAILEY PEACOCK-FARRELL INTERVIEW 38 INTERNATIONAL RECORD 47 MASCOTS 52

Irish Football Association President David Martin Chief Executive Patrick Nelson Advertising Irish Football Association Pictures Press Eye

Official Publication by Irish Football Association National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Donegall Avenue, Belfast, BT12 6LW Editor Nigel Tilson Design and Print Minprint Ltd, 401 Castlereagh Road, Belfast, Co Down, BT5 6QP Tel: 028 9070 5205 www.minprint.co.uk

Please note that the views in this programme do not necessarily reflect those of the Irish Football Association.

NORTHERN IRELAND

GERMANY

Michael O’Neill Manager

Joachim Low Manager

Trevor Carson Motherwell Michael McGovern Norwich City Bailey Peacock-Farrell Burnley Craig Cathcart Watford Jonathan Evans Leicester City Tom Flanagan Sunderland Jamal Lewis Norwich City Conor McLaughlin Sunderland Callum Morris Ross County Stuart Dallas Leeds United Steven Davis Rangers Liam Donnelly Motherwell Corry Evans Blackburn Rovers

Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich Marc-Andre ter Stegen Barcelona

Bernd Leno Arsenal Jonas Hector Koln Matthias Ginter Borussia Monchengladbach Niklas Sule Bayern Munich

Nico Schulz Borussia Dortmund Jonathan Tah Bayer Leverkusen Marcel Halstenberg RB Leipzig Lukas Klostermann RB Leipzig Niklas Stark Hertha Berlin Toni Kroos Real Madrid Joshua Kimmich Bayern Munich Marco Reus Borussia Dortmund Ilkay Gundogan Manchester City Julian Brandt Borussia Dortmund Leon Goretzka Bayern Munich Emre Can Juventus Serge Gnabry Bayern Munich Kai Havertz Bayer Leverkusen Luca Waldschmidt Freiburg

Shane Ferguson Millwall Niall McGinn Aberdeen

Patrick McNair Middlesbrough George Saville Middlesbrough Mark Sykes Oxford United Jordan Thompson Blackpool

Gavin Whyte Cardiff City Liam Boyce Burton Albion Josh Magennis Hull City Shayne Lavery Linfield Kyle Lafferty Sarpsborg 08 (NOR) Conor Washington Heart of Midlothian

Green and White

White and Black

Referee Assistant Referee 1 Assistant Referee 2 Fourth Official Observer MATCH OFFICIALS

Daniele Orsato ITA Alessandro Giallatini ITA

Fabiano Preti ITA Daniele Doveri ITA Markus Nobs SUI

2

www.irishfa.com

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

On behalf of the Irish Football Association it gives me great pleasure to welcome the officials, players and supporters of Germany to Belfast and to our National Football Stadium in particular for this evening’s UEFA Euro 2020 Group C qualifying match.

The summer appears to have passed us by very quickly and we are now at the latter stages of a group phase for the third competition in a row with the opportunity to progress to the final tournament. That in itself is a significant achievement, but of course qualification is everyone’s dream. Those four straight wins home and away against Estonia and Belarus, which have pushed us to the summit of Group C, effectively leave a three- country mini group for the two qualification places from the group. The mandatory friendly last Thursday night against Luxembourg, which Northern Ireland won 1-0, afforded our manager an opportunity to begin his preparations for tonight’s qualifier. Germany arrive in Belfast having lost to the Netherlands on Friday night, which means they are second in the group with nine points from four matches, while the Dutch are third with six points from three games. It’s all very exciting as the Netherlands also play this evening in Estonia. Our long association with German football spans 61 years, with 17 internationals during that time. Germany (whether as West Germany or a unified nation) have prevailed in 11 of those matches, while Northern Ireland won both UEFA Euro 1984 qualifiers and there have been four draws, the last of which was in Nuremberg in November 1996.

It was that long association and friendships made over the years which saw Germany travel to Belfast in June 2005 and play a friendly international as the Irish Football Association celebrated its 125th anniversary. More recently we played each other in the Euro finals of 2016 in France and also in the qualifiers for FIFA World Cup Russia 2018. Both sides, and especially the German team, have changed considerably since the last occasion we played each other. That was in October 2017 when Germany won 3-1. Every competitive game since we opened the stadium in 2016 has sold out and this game has been no different, such is the demand for tickets. The support for the team has been outstanding both home and away in the four qualifiers to date and I am looking forward to more excellent vocal support again tonight. I hope everyone enjoys an exciting game of football. Have a safe journey home. David J Martin President Irish Football Association

3

www.irishfa.com

4

www.irishfa.com

MANAGER’S VIEW

What can I say about tonight’s visitors that has not already been said many times and in many media outlets. The mere mention of the name of Germany strikes fear into most opponents.

Regardless of the squad they select we know they will always be strong, always be talented, always be difficult opponents and always provide a challenge. Their players are top quality, they play for top teams and challenge for honours everywhere they play. As a coach these are the challenges to be relished and embraced. In any walk of life pitting yourself against the best in your field, and let’s be honest the Germans have provided the gold standard over many years, is the ultimate challenge. And there is the added spice of a David v Goliath fixture, and we know that from time to time David slays Goliath and Windsor Park in September has proved to be the downfall of many giants over the years. This is the fourth time I will have locked horns with Joachim Low’s team and I fully understand how formidable opponents they are. They are to be admired for their skills, quality, resilience, organisation and never say die approach. I am especially impressed by the development of this new squad since their 2018 World Cup disappointment. I have no doubt Germany will want to quickly bounce back from their defeat to the Netherlands on Friday night so we must beware the wounded animal. I know all of my players appreciate the chance to compete against the best but I also know that they can raise their game to match the occasion. The start we have had to this Euro 2020 qualification campaign has been exemplary.

Perhaps we were expected to take full points at home against Estonia and Belarus in March, but we all can remember how difficult that was to achieve. So having overcome that particular hurdle to travel to Tallinn and Borisov and return with full points, and the manner in which we did so, was a remarkable achievement and meant we all could go into the summer break on a high. We know, of course, that the autumn, with the series of head to head matches against Germany and Netherlands, will provide a much stiffer test to qualify and that we must compete and beat the best. That challenge starts tonight. Opportunities like this come infrequently so we need to be prepared to grasp it with both hands. Having tasted the Euro finals in France we all want to replicate that experience in 2020. There is little doubt that you, the fans, will play an important part in helping the team. The support we have received wherever we play, but especially here in Belfast, is phenomenal and the whole squad appreciate this. When things are difficult and when we are up against it the support we receive keeps us going and lifts our spirits. I know we will need that support over the next four qualifiers and I know we can depend on you to deliver, just as I believe the players can deliver as well. Bring it on! Thanks for your support. Michael O’Neill Northern Ireland Manager

5

www.irishfa.com

BUILD. CREATE. UNITE.

O R D E R Y O U R T E A M ’ S K I T O N L I N E I N T H E A D I D A S L O C K E R R O O M .

G E T S TA R T E D L O C K E R R O O M . A D I D A S . C O . U K

© 2019 adidas AG. adidas, the 3-Bars logo and the 3-Stripes mark are registered trademarks of the adidas Group.

GOOD EVENING

Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park again tonight. For many supporters I know it will be the second visit here in five days and we thank you for your continued support.

Tonight’s match will be as different from last Thursday’s game as chalk from cheese, given that tonight’s opponents are Germany and this is a vital UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier game. By the time we play in Frankfurt on 19 November we will have faced off against Germany no less than five times in less than four years, meeting in Belfast, Hannover and, of course, Paris over that period. Naturally squads have gone through some renewal process over this time, and tonight we will see a mix of experienced and younger players taking on our opponents. Michael used the inaugural UEFA Nations League this time last year to give new players some experience, so players such as Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Jamal Lewis come into games like this with valuable experience under their belts. To no-one’s surprise all available tickets for this game were snapped up weeks ago and yet again we have a complete sell out in south Belfast. As always we say thank you to our Campaign Card holders who back us at all matches. The atmosphere tonight will be electric and I have no doubt the GAWA will be in full voice from before kick-off right through to the final whistle. The prize on offer at the end of this campaign is huge and so far Michael’s squad have done everything asked of them to book one of those coveted places at next year’s finals. No matter whether you went to France in 2016 or followed the action back at home or elsewhere in the world, you will know the incredible feelgood factor generated by our presence at the tournament, and we now want to experience it again. Tonight’s match gives us a chance to take a giant stride towards that target and we hope for a positive result, although it will be difficult, especially as I expect

Germany to be even more focused than usual after losing to the Dutch on Friday night. On another note last month we hosted the tournament launch for the UEFA men’s under-19 championship finals which will be held in Northern Ireland next July. We are delighted Northern Ireland legend Aaron Hughes has agreed to be our tournament ambassador and we all look forward to seeing the best of Europe’s young talent on our shores next year. When we last hosted this tournament in 2005 players such as Cesc Fabregas, Hugo Lloris and one of tonight’s potential opponents, Manuel Neuer, were on show so it will definitely be a showcase for future stars. Look out for match and ticket details in the coming months. Enjoy the game tonight.

Patrick Nelson Chief Executive Irish Football Association

UPDATE RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner has been included in the Germany squad for tonight’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Northern Ireland. The 23-year-old, who has 26 caps

and 10 goals for his country, has proved prolific since moving to Leipzig, scoring 50 times in the last three seasons, while he has five goals in three appearances already this term. Werner scored a bagful of goals for Germany at youth level and also won the Golden Boot at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (influenza) and Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schulz (injured) are both out of the Germany squad for tonight’s game.

7

www.irishfa.com

The game is changing. Every step of the way. We’re proud to power women’s football here in Northern Ireland.

NORTHERN IRELAND 1 MALGET 37' OG LUXEMBOURG 0

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY 05.09.2019

National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast

STATS

POSSESSION %

37

63

SHOTS

7

14

SHOTS ON TARGET

1

2

CORNERS

4

1

FOULS

9

16

TEAMS

1 Peacock-Farrell 2 McLaughlin 4 Flanagan 5 Brown 11 Ferguson

1 Moris

18 Jans

4 Malget 7 Gerson 13 Carlson 14 Sinani 15 Thill 16 Barreiro 10 Thill 17 Rodrigues 21 Deville

3 Lewis 7 McGinn 8 Davis 9 Lavery 12 McGovern 14 Sykes 15 Burns 17 McNair 19 Donnelly 20 McCalmont 22 Galbraith 23 Carson 13 C Evans (c) 16 Thompson 6 Saville 18 Whyte 21 Magennis 10 Lafferty Substitutes

Substitutes

2 Skenderovic 3 Hall 5 Selimovic 6 Philipps 8 Martins 9 Alves Da Mota 11 Bohnert

12 Schon 19 Olesen 20 Turpel 22 Joachim 23 Kips

10

www.irishfa.com

11

www.irishfa.com

12

www.irishfa.com

13

www.irishfa.com

TWO MAJOR AUCTION CENTRES TEN BRANDED DEFLEET & POOLING STATIONS SELLING OVER 50,000 VEHICLES EVERY YEAR AT TRADE PRICES DIRECT FROM MANUFACTURERS, LEASING COMPANIES AND MAJOR BANKS!

CITY GLASGOW

10 Comber Road, Carryduff, Belfast, BT8 8AN CITY BELFAST

CITY HARTLEPOOL

CITY OMAGH

CITY DONCASTER

Rockingham Motor Speedway, Mitchel Road, Rockingham, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 5AF CITY ROCKINGHAM

CITY DUBLIN

CITY CORK

CITY COLCHESTER

CITY STOKE

CITY LONDON

CITY BRISTOL

CAR AUCTIONS - EVERYONE WELCOME! BELFAST CENTRE: Monday 6pm, Thursday 9.30am and Friday 2pm ROCKINGHAM CENTRE: Tuesday 10am

Download our complimentary Buyer and Live Bid Apps Now!

Full listings can also be viewed on our website www.cityauctiongroup.com

PROUD PARTNERS OF THE IRISH FA

TO FIND OUT MORE, SEARCH ‘LOUD MOUTH MEDIA’

NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD

MICHAEL McGOVERN GOALKEEPER

CRAIG CATHCART DEFENDER

TREVOR CARSON GOALKEEPER

BAILEY PEACOCK-FARRELL GOALKEEPER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Norwich City

Burnley

Watford

Motherwell

Age Caps Goals 31 5 0

Age Caps Goals 35 30 0

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals 30 45 2

22 10

0

JONATHAN EVANS DEFENDER

TOM FLANAGAN DEFENDER

JAMAL LEWIS DEFENDER

CONOR McLAUGHLIN DEFENDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Leicester City

Sunderland

Norwich City

Sunderland

Age Caps Goals 31 80 3

Age Caps Goals 27 2 0

Age Caps Goals 21 10 0

Age Caps Goals 28 36 1

CALLUM MORRIS DEFENDER

STUART DALLAS MIDFIELDER

STEVEN DAVIS MIDFIELDER

LIAM DONNELLY MIDFIELDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Ross County

Leeds United

Rangers

Motherwell

Age Caps Goals 29 0 0

Age Caps Goals 28 40 3

Age Caps Goals 34 112 12

Age Caps Goals 23 2 0

16

www.irishfa.com

NIALL McGINN MIDFIELDER

PATRICK McNAIR MIDFIELDER

CORRY EVANS MIDFIELDER

SHANE FERGUSON MIDFIELDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Aberdeen

Middlesbrough

Blackburn Rovers

Millwall

Age Caps Goals 32 57 4

Age Caps Goals 24 29 1

Age Caps Goals 29 54 2

Age Caps Goals 28 40 1

GEORGE SAVILLE MIDFIELDER

MARK SYKES MIDFIELDER

JORDAN THOMPSON MIDFIELDER

GAVIN WHYTE MIDFIELDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Middlesbrough

Oxford United

Blackpool

Cardiff City

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals 24 0 0

Age Caps Goals 22 3 0

Age Caps Goals 23 6 1

26

16 0

LIAM BOYCE FORWARD

KYLE LAFFERTY FORWARD

SHAYNE LAVERY FORWARD

JOSH MAGENNIS FORWARD

CONOR WASHINGTON

FORWARD

Club

Club

Linfield Club

Club

Club

Burton Albion

Heart of Midlothian

Sarpsborg 08 (NOR)

Hull City

Age Caps Goals 28 19 1

Age Caps Goals 31 71 20

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals 29 45 6

Age Caps Goals

2 0

20

27 20 4

17

www.irishfa.com

Words Mark McIntosh The Sun

TAKING A MAJOR SCALP IS THE AIM

Conor Washington has already played a huge role in Northern Ireland’s perfect start to the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

He came off the bench to help inspire a win over Estonia in June and since his summer switch to Hearts he has hit the goal trail, banishing frustrating spells in front of goal at QPR and Sheffield United. “Hearts are a massive club and everything about the move has been great so far,” said Washington. “I’m still finding my feet in what is a very different league to anything I’ve played in before but scoring against Motherwell and Celtic so early has been great. “To be honest I probably should have scored a few more but for any striker getting off the mark is always good. “The most important thing is results and I believe they will come for us this season.”

He revealed last season was enjoyable at Sheffield United as the Blades got promoted to the Premier League. But he also admitted: “It was frustrating not playing, because that’s what any player wants to do, and not scoring. “I’m playing again now though and hopefully I can repay the faith the likes of Austin MacPhee and Michael O’Neill have put in me.” O’Neill is a huge admirer of the ex-Peterborough United ace and Washington admits the international boss has been a big help during the tough times at club level. “Michael has been brilliant for my career. He has always been there when things weren’t going as well as I’d like and has shown great faith in me.

The McDonald’s Fun Football Programme is for boys and girls of all abilities aged 5 – 11. Fun Football Centres are free to attend, delivered by qualified coaches, for kids to try football for the first time and build their confidence.

To find your local Fun Football Centre and register your child’s place visit mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball

See website for more information. Limited places available. T&Cs apply © 2019 McDonald’s

“He sent me on against Estonia and asked me to try to change the game and thankfully Josh (Magennis) and I scored the goals to win the game. “What he’s done with such a small pool of players is brilliant. Even when some of us haven’t been playing for our clubs he makes us believe we’ll get results for Northern Ireland.” European and world heavyweights Germany are, of course, no strangers to Washington and Co having faced them at Euro 2016 and during the last World Cup qualification campaign - but the in-form hitman hopes tonight’s clash could be a night to savour. “We’ve lost three times against Germany despite playing well. They are a totally different team now with so many changes in their squad but they are still quality, as you’d expect. “It’s been a little while since we took a major scalp and that will be our aim. We’ve started this campaign well and put ourselves in a good position so hopefully that will continue. “Games at Windsor Park always give us a chance and we’ll be ready for it.” Northern Ireland coach Austin MacPhee was instrumental in securing Washington’s services for Hearts in the summer and he believes he has all the attributes to be a huge success in the Scottish Premiership as well as in a Northern Ireland shirt. He said: “Conor is an uncoached player. He didn’t come from an academy. He was a 16-year-old playing tough men’s football, learning how to deal with the physical side of the game. He is powerful and quick and runs behind the line all the time. Hardly any players do that anymore. “I’d describe Conor almost as old-fashioned in that regard. I think that’s because his natural instinct - to run towards the goal with or without the ball, hoping to score like a kid in the playground - hasn’t been coached out of him between the ages of eight and 20. He just played. “With Northern Ireland recently he has played like the lad who was at Peterborough, the one who caught the eye and then joined the national team.”

CONOR WASHINGTON

Position Striker Date Of Birth 18.05.1992 Place Of Birth Chatham

STRIKER

Height 178cm Weight 74kg

CLUB RECORD

9

SQUAD NO

CLUBS St Ives Town

80 39 82 92 15

Newport County Peterborough United Queens Park Rangers Sheffield United Heart of Midlothian

4

INTERNATIONAL RECORD

16

SQUAD NO

Debut 24.03.16 v Wales (A) Drew 1-1

Caps 20 Goals 4

21

www.irishfa.com

DID YOU KNOW? Tonight’s game against Germany will be the 250th international played at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. Here Marshall Gillespie delves into the archives to unearth some fascinating facts about games played on the hallowed turf…

There have only ever been four hat-tricks scored by Northern Ireland players at Windsor Park. The first came on 26 October 1960 from Bolton Wanderers striker Billy McAdams in a 4-3 World Cup qualifying defeat to West Germany. Five years later Johnny Crossan scored three in a 4-1 victory in another World Cup tie, this time against Albania. In May 1971 the late, great George Best fired home a 12-minute hat-trick in a 4-1 success over Cyprus in a European Championship tie. Undoubtedly the most famous treble though was David Healy’s on 6 September 2006 when Lawrie Sanchez’s side beat a multi-talented Spain 3-2 in a EURO 2008 qualifying match on a memorable night at Windsor.

Northern Ireland have played 119 World Cup and EURO qualifying matches at the stadium since 1949, winning a total of 59 of them and losing just 36. Their complete record, which also includes British Home International games, friendlies and Nations League matches, is as follows: P W D L F A 248 95 56 97 317 345

The first ever full international match at the stadium was against Scotland in a British Home International contest played on Saturday 10 March 1910. The home side ran out 1-0 victors that day thanks to a 54th minute winner from Linfield forward Frank Thompson. It was also Ireland’s first ever win over Scotland on home soil.

A total of 130 players from Ireland/Northern Ireland have scored a goal at Windsor Park since the first international at the ground in 1910. Our all-time top goalscorer David Healy also holds the record of having scored the most international goals at the stadium with 19. He scored a total of 10 in front of the East Stand and nine in front of the West Stand (aka The Kop). The all-time top goalscorers at Windsor Park are: David Healy 19 (1 pen) Kyle Lafferty 13 Steven Davis 10 (1 pen) Jimmy Quinn 10 (1 pen) Johnny Crossan 9 (4 pens)

22

www.irishfa.com

On 20 January 2007 Keith Gillespie (Sheffield United) was sent off following an incident with a Reading player at Bramall Lane after being on the pitch for zero seconds of play. Gillespie appeared as a second half substitute, committed the offence and was red-carded before play resumed.

The fastest ever recorded goal at the national stadium by a Northern Ireland player is 56 seconds – and it has happened on two occasions. The first was on 25 May 1979 when Blackpool striker Derek Spence scored his final international goal in a British Home International clash with Wales, a game which eventually ended in a 1-1 draw. Danny Wilson equalled the feat nine years later with a spectacular 20-yard volley in a 1-1 friendly draw with Poland on 23 March 1988. It was the then Luton Town midfielder’s only ever goal for his adopted country.

Milestone goals at Windsor Park: 50th Eddie McMorran v Wales (BHI) 15 April 1953 100th George Best v Albania (WCQ) 7 May 1965 150th John McClelland v Turkey (ECQ) 30 March 1983 200th Iain Dowie v Liechtenstein (ECQ) 20 April 1994 250th Kyle Lafferty v Liechtenstein (ECQ) 22 August 2007 300th Chris Brunt v Azerbaijan (WCQ) 11 November 2016

Northern Ireland players have converted a total of 21 penalties at the national stadium since 1910. Former Sunderland and Sparta Rotterdam forward Johnny Crossan has scored the most, with four of his 10 goals for Northern Ireland coming from the spot at Windsor Park. Only two other players have ever scored more than one penalty on home turf: current skipper Steven Davis, who has scored two, and the Irish Football Association’s Elite Performance Director, Jim Magilton, who has also converted twice from 12 yards.

The largest ever attendance for a full international match at the stadium was on 8 October 1960 when 60,000 spectators crammed into Windsor Park for the visit of England. The visitors won 5-2 that day with goals from Jimmy Greaves (2), Bobby Charlton, Bobby Smith and Bryan Douglas. Billy McAdams replied for the home side.

Between November 1979 and May 1983 Northern Ireland were unbeaten at Windsor Park for a total of 11 matches (eight wins and three draws), a record that still stands to this day. The sequence was broken when Wales won 1-0 in a British Home International encounter on 31 May 1983.

All statistics correct prior to Northern Ireland’s game with Luxembourg

23

www.irishfa.com

EXCLUSIVE RETAIL PARTNER

GET THE JD APP NOW

GERMAN FOOTBALL – FASCINATING FACTS

» » ‘The Miracle of Bern’ or ‘Das Wunder von Bern’ is how the 1954 FIFA World Cup Final is affectionately known in Germany. The final, played between underdogs West Germany and favourites Hungary on 4 July 1954, saw the Germans come back from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, thanks to a goal from Max Morlock and a brace from Helmut Rahn. » » FC Bayern Munich are Germany’s most successful club with 29 national championships (28 Bundesliga titles) to their name. Borussia Dortmund have won the national title on eight occasions – five times during the Bundesliga (established 1963) era. » » With 25,000 clubs and more than 6.8 million members, the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) is the single largest sports federation in the world. » » Nicknamed ‘The Emperor’ or ‘Der Kaiser’, Franz Anton Beckenbauer is generally regarded as the greatest German footballer of all time. Twice European Footballer of the Year, Beckenbauer is one of only two footballers - along with Brazil’s Mário Zagallo - to have won the FIFA World Cup both as a player and as a coach. » » As well as being the German word for ‘football’, fußball is a commonly used term for the game of table football – first invented by Harold Thornton and patented in the UK in 1923. » » West Germany lost to Italy in the so-called ‘Game of the Century’ or Jahrhundertspiel in the semi-final of the 1970 FIFA World Cup on 17 June 1970. The match, which finished 4-3 to the Italians, is unique as it is the only time five goals have been scored in extra-time of a World Cup match. » » Germany’s first international match saw them defeated 5-3 by Switzerland in Basel on 5 April 1908.

» » In German football the term ‘joker’ doesn’t refer to a comic character in the dressing room - rather a substitute who comes off the bench and scores. » » The votes of journalists from the football magazine Kicker Sportmagazin - it celebrates its centenary in 2020 - along with the Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten (Association of German Sports Journalists) determine the annual winner of the German Fußballer des Jahres (Football of the Year) award. With four titles Franz Beckenbauer has won the award more than any other player. Marco Reus was the recipient of the 2019 award. » » The Germany women’s national football team or ‘Deutsche Fußballnationalmannschaft der Frauen‘ have won the FIFA Women’s World Cup on two occasions (2003 and 2007) while they have also come out on top in eight of the 12 UEFA Women’s Championships held to date. » » With 150 caps to his name former midfielder Lothar Matthäus has made more appearances for the German national team than any other player. The 1990 Ballon d’Or winner was a part of the side that won the 1980 UEFA European Championships and the 1990 FIFA World Cup. » » At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro a German squad containing the likes of Lukas Klostermann, Matthias Ginter, Niklas Sule, Julian Brandt and Serge Gnabry won the silver medal. It was Germany’s first success at the Games as a unified nation - West Germany previously won bronze at the 1988 games. » » On 29 May 2013 Lukas Podolski scored the German national team’s fastest ever goal after just nine seconds in a 4-2 win over Ecuador. Words Andy Greeves

25

www.irishfa.com

AUTUMN

Awakening

STAY | SPA | DINE FROM £ 99 PER PERSON

GALGORM.COM

SCOUTING REPORT Andy Greeves takes a closer look at Germany’s new-look squad ahead of this evening’s UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier.

Low will be missing one key winger for this evening’s match, however, with Manchester City’s Leroy Sane having sustained an ACL injury in the FA Community Shield back in August. STRENGTHS Depending on their chosen formation, Germany effectively play with three or four attackers when in possession of the ball. Low gives players such as Marco Reus the freedom to operate anywhere in the final third, meaning one minute he could occupy the ‘number ten’ position while the next he could be on the wing or up front, making him extremely difficult to mark. Germany’s full-backs typically join in with attacks, adding to the threat the team poses going forward. Left-back Nico Schulz, for example, completed an average of two key passes in the two UEFA Nations League matches he featured in for Die Mannschaft in 2018. At the age of 33 captain Manuel Neuer remains one of the best goalkeepers in world football. As a superb reader of the game, with immense ability with the ball at his feet, he has been described as a ‘sweeper keeper’ throughout his career.

LOWDOWN Prior to their match with old rivals the Netherlands in Hamburg on Friday, Germany were second to Northern Ireland in UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying Group C, having won all three of their opening matches of the campaign away to Holland and Belarus and at home to Estonia. On the back of a disappointing display at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which saw Die Mannschaft eliminated at the group stage of the tournament, Joachim Low’s team are currently ranked 15th in the FIFA World Rankings. Since the reunification of Germany in 1990 the country has topped the listings on six separate occasions for a total of 37 months. TACTICS Germany play a dynamic brand of passing football and will almost always look to play the ball out from the back. Die Mannschaft regularly operate in a 4-3-3 formation, although there is the possibility that Joachim Low will select a 4-2-3-1 system for this evening’s match. When selected Toni Kroos is responsible for the majority of their set-pieces. Many of Germany’s attacking moves are manufactured in wide areas, with the likes of Julian Brandt, Kai Havertz and Marco Reus expert operators on the wings.

Many thanks to journalist Fabian Zerche (www.spox.com/at) for his assistance in the writing of this article. POSSIBLE LINE-UP GK Manuel Neuer RB Matthias Ginter CB Niklas Süle CB Jonathan Tah LB Nico Schulz DM Ilkay Gundogan DM Toni Kroos AMR Julian Brandt AMC Serge Gnabry AML Marco Reus FW Luca Waldschmidt

WELL, WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT? I am a man of a certain vintage and as such I prefer to listen to CDs while driving rather than any of these new music streaming services (how does that work anyway?).

I do understand that I have a fairly eclectic taste, and that among Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and ELO you may find The Proclaimers or Warren Zevon (I just love ‘Werewolves of London’). I also have a tendency to randomly select a CD or two that I haven’t listened to for a while, which is how Van Morrison’s 1989 album Avalon Sunset found its way into the car. There can be few greater musical exports from this little part of the world than Van. Feted by musicians and music critics across the globe, Van is music’s George Best, a genius - one of our own. I was sitting at traffic lights and noticed the CD and thought I would give it a play. If you don’t know it, it is a mixture of Van’s typical celtic blues and jazz, lyrical, melodious, pleasant. In the midst of the album is Van’s lyrical poem to County Down: ‘Coney Island’. Much parodied but never bettered. It’s been a while since I immersed myself in Van’s journey across Down, but how I enjoyed it and how I relished the ordinariness of the Sunday spent bird watching and eating the mussels and potted herrings “in case we get famished before dinner”. And the last line set me thinking ‘wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time?’ For Northern Ireland fans it is that final exhortation that sets the juices flowing. We live in wonderful days. Since 2014 - that’s five years - we have pretty much been living the dream. An almost perfect qualification to Euro 2016, making the last 16 in the finals in France, opening the new stadium, making the play-offs for the World Cup, and now

the perfect four wins out of four matches at the start of this campaign leading to the tasty prospect of a home and away competition with the mighty Germans and Dutch. It really doesn’t get much better than this. Of course, the cynics will point out a poor Nations League campaign and the fact that we will be up against it when facing our illustrious opponents, and, yes, we will be. However, that just makes it all the more appetising. Challenging, of course, but not insurmountable. We all know the stories – the bigger they are, the harder they fall. David can and does beat Goliath (after all, that’s what happened the first time). Belief is paramount. Belief within the management, within the team and within the fans. The spirit of our former greats needs to be summoned up, the spirit of Danny and Wilbur, of Pat and Norman, of Gerry and Billy, of David and Gareth. We, the fans, need to believe and revisit the successes of the past. Perhaps we physically can’t score the goals or stop them from being scored against us, but we can play our part. Support, enthusiasm, passion, pride and unending belief. There is little achieved without pain and hard work, without endeavour and strategy. This is our moment, this is our time and without doubt, as Van says, ‘as the sunshine comes streaming through the window in the autumn sunshine… wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time’. Yes, it would. It can be. Let’s hope it starts tonight. Words William Campbell

28

www.irishfa.com

Van The Man in full swing.

29

www.irishfa.com

T: 028 90667 333 E: info@karcher-center-craigmore.co.uk www.karcher-center-craigmore.co.uk

1-2 Windsor Business Park, Boucher Place

20%OFF Home & Garden Accessories *in store only, valid until 31/10/19

HOME &GARDEN

PROFESSIONAL

We offer a full range of outright purchasing and contract hire options

Purchasing Options

Both Home and Garden and Professional machines repaired in-house, regardless of where they have been purchased

In-House Repairs

Call Out Repairs

�ngineer call outs available to �� Professional machines at your premises

Free Diagnosis & Estimates

We can quickly diagnose all machine faults and offer you a repair estimate completely free of charge

Service Contracts

Service contracts available on all our Professional machines

Suppliers to:

2019 NEARLY NEWOFFERS

Renault Clio Play TCe 75 From £9,995 Specification Includes: • 16" Black AlloyWheels • Manual Air Conditioning • Hands Free Keycard with Keyless Entry • Front Fog Lights • Cruise Control and Speed Limiter

Renault Captur Play TCe 90 From £10,995

Renault Kadjar Iconic TCe 130 From £17,995

Specification Includes: • 16” Adventure AlloyWheels • Contrasting Roof and Door Mirror Colours • Auto Lights and Wipers • Manual Air Conditioning • Hands Free Key Card

Specification Includes: • 19” AlloyWheels

• 7” R-Link 2 Touchscreen with Navigation and DAB • Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto • Hands Free Key Card

Finance Options Available • Limited Stock • Immediate Delivery • Selection of Colours • Delivery Miles Only

We are offering an exclusive deal for Campaign Cardholders and Official Members! Simply present your campaign card or official member number to avail of the below. This deal is transferable to family or friends, they just need to bring your Membership Card when purchasing.

An Overnight Stay, breakfast and use of Thermal Spa facilities at Galgorm Resort and Spa when you purchase any New, Used, Motability or Fleet vehicle from any of the Charles Hurst Renault sites.

Belfast 62 Boucher Road, BT12 6LR 02890 383 535

Newtownabbey 547 Antrim Road, BT36 4RF 02890 843 816

Newtownards 10 Comber Road, BT23 4QP 02891 815 277

charleshurst.com/ renault

With 100s of LIVE jobs on our website. Get in touch and let Grafton help get your new career sorted!

www.graftonrecruitment.com

Words Liam Blackburn

GERMANY THE COACH The longest-serving international manager in Europe, Joachim Low has been at the Germany helm for 13 years since taking over in 2006 when he replaced Jurgen Klinsmann after the former Tottenham striker stood aside.

Low had been Klinsmann's assistant for the previous two years and took on a team that had just impressed by showcasing a new attacking style en route to a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup on home soil. His first foray into the world of coaching occurred in Switzerland while he was still playing and, upon his retirement, he returned to former club Stuttgart to become an assistant to Rolf Fringer. As would be the case a few years later with Germany, Low was promoted to the top job when Fringer moved on. In his two seasons at Stuttgart Low led them to successive fourth-place finishes in the Bundesliga and won a German Cup, while his team also finished as runners-up in the 1997-98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Short spells with clubs in Turkey and Germany followed – with Low unable to replicate the type of success he had with Stuttgart – though he lifted silverware again when guiding Austrian side Tirol Innsbruck to the league title in 2001-02. Two years later new Germany boss Klinsmann brought him onboard – with the two having done their coaching badges together - and two years after that Low was given the reins himself. Die Mannschaft won their first five games of Low's reign – including a 13-0 thrashing of San Marino – and went over 400 minutes without conceding as the new boss made the best ever start by a Germany manager.

Germany made the Euro 2008 final and 2010 World Cup semi-finals – losing to the great Spain team in both tournaments – before suffering more last-four heartbreak against Italy at Euro 2012. The 2014 World Cup proved Low's finest hour, though, as his team were crowned champions for the fourth time thanks to Mario Gotze's extra- time winner against Argentina. Low then also guided a young Germany side to glory at the 2017 Confederations Cup. » » Low remains the all-time leading scorer for Freiburg, for whom he scored 81 times in 252 games during three spells, and he represented his country at Under-21 level. » » He was only the third manager in Germany's history to have been appointed the national team's boss without having represented the senior team as a player. » » At the 2014 World Cup Low's Germany became the first European nation to win a World Cup in the Americas. » » Last year Low broke the record for most matches as Germany manager. He has taken charge of 175 matches and 100 players have made their debuts under the current boss.

33

www.irishfa.com

GERMANY SQUAD

Words Liam Blackburn

GOALKEEPERS

MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN BARCELONA

MANUEL NEUER BAYERN MUNICH

BERND LENO ARSENAL

Age 33 Caps 88 Goals 0

Age Caps 6 Goals 0

27

Age Caps

27 22

Goals 0

Germany's captain made his international debut with Schalke at 20 and has been his country's number one ever since the 2010 World Cup, having starred in the Under-21 team that won the Euros in 2009. Signed for Bayern in 2011 and his honours include World Cup and Champions League winners' medals.

Missed out on the squad for the 2018 World Cup as Joachim Low preferred Kevin Trapp but Leno is back in the picture, although he has not made an appearance for Germany since 2017. Now established as Arsenal's first choice after dislodging Petr Cech shortly after his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2018.

Neuer's understudy has been number one at Barcelona since 2016 when Claudio Bravo left for Manchester City. Ter Stegen, who made his senior debut with Borussia Monchengladbach, represented his country at various youth levels and in his second appearance for Germany he saved a penalty from future team-mate Lionel Messi.

DEFENDERS

MATTHIAS GINTER BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH

JONAS HECTOR KOLN

NIKLAS SULE BAYERN MUNICH

Age Caps

29 42

Age Caps

25 26

Age Caps

24 20

Goals 3

Goals 0

Goals 1

Without Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng – neither of whom are being considered for Germany any more – Hector is the most experienced defender in Low's squad. Started at left-back in the 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in Paris at Euro 2016 and he scored the winning penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out victory over Italy.

Became the 900th player to be capped by Germany when he debuted in a 2014 friendly. Ginter was the youngest member of Die Mannschaft's triumphant 2014 World Cup squad, though he did not get on the pitch. Ginter was also in the squad for the 2018 World Cup but, again, did not play a single minute.

Tall, imposing centre-back who has been entrusted to replace Hummels and Boateng at both club and international level. Only played 22 minutes in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers but came into this international break having already started three games in this campaign. Sule is a two-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern having joined from Hoffenheim in 2017.

NICO SCHULZ BORUSSIA DORTMUND

JONATHAN TAH BAYER LEVERKUSEN

MARCEL HALSTENBERG RB LEIPZIG

Age Caps 8 Goals 2

26

Age 23 Caps 6 Goals 0

Age Caps 3 Goals 0

27

Left-back Schulz is another to have earned a big move after impressing at Hoffenheim, having joined Borussia Dortmund this summer. Made his Germany debut a year ago and marked his first appearance by scoring the winner in a friendly against Peru. Also scored a dramatic late winner in the Nations League against Netherlands in March.

A regular for the Germany youth teams, Tah was a late call-up for Euro 2016 having replaced the injured Antonio Rudiger. He cut short a holiday in Miami to join up with Germany, though he never made an appearance at the tournament. Tah then missed out on the squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Halstenberg is another potential option at left- back for Low having risen to prominence since making his Bundesliga debut at 25. Played as a striker at youth level but reverted to centre-back and caught Borussia Dortmund's attention as a teenager. Moved to RB Leipzig in 2015 and made his Germany debut two years later.

LUKAS KLOSTERMANN RB LEIPZIG

NIKLAS STARK HERTHA BERLIN

Age

23

Age Caps 0 Goals 0

24

Caps 2 Goals 0

One of Halstenberg's team-mates and the man who operates on the right flank of Leipzig's defence. Klostermann captained his country at both Under-19 and Under-21 level and won a silver medal as part of the team that reached the Olympic final in 2016. Won his first senior cap against Serbia in March.

A centre-back who was linked with Bayern, Dortmund and Leipzig over the summer. Stark, who started his career operating in a defensive midfield role, made over 40 appearances for Germany's youth teams and debuted in the Bundesliga shortly after turning 18. He is yet to win a senior cap under Low.

34

www.irishfa.com

MIDFIELDERS

JOSHUA KIMMICH BAYERN MUNICH

MARCO REUS BORUSSIA DORTMUND

TONI KROOS REAL MADRID

Age Caps 92 Goals 14 29

Age Caps

24 42

Age Caps 41 Goals 13 30

Goals 3

Kroos is the most experienced member of Germany's squad and has been a virtual ever-present since making his debut in 2010. Was an integral part of the 2014 World Cup success and he was named in FIFA's Dream Team at that tournament. Kroos provided four assists at World Cup 2014 and scored twice in the 7-1 semi-final victory over Brazil.

Dazzled in his first competitive start for Germany in the 1-0 win over Michael O'Neill's side at Euro 2016 and was named in the UEFA team of the tournament. Able to play at right-back or in midfield, Kimmich also scored a stunning goal in Die Mannschaft's 3-1 victory in Belfast in October 2017.

Reus is Borussia Dortmund's captain and would almost certainly have had more caps for his country had he not been troubled by injuries. Scored five times in six appearances in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers but missed the tournament, and Euro 2016, as he was not fit. Scored 17 Bundesliga goals for Dortmund last term.

ILKAY GUNDOGAN MANCHESTER CITY

JULIAN BRANDT BORUSSIA DORTMUND

LEON GORETZKA BAYERN MUNICH

Age Caps

28 33

Age Caps

23 25

Age Caps

24 23

Goals 5

Goals 2

Goals 8

Another talented midfielder who has been troubled by injury problems. Gundogan recently signed a new contract with Manchester City after helping Pep Guardiola's side secure a domestic treble last season. His goal against Estonia in June was his first in four years for the national team.

Moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Dortmund in the summer after switching from a wider role to a more central position to great effect. Was named Bundesliga Player of the Month in February after scoring two goals and providing four assists. He then also scored within 14 minutes of his debut for Dortmund last month.

Enjoyed a fine first season with Bayern after joining a year ago when his contract with Schalke expired. Goretzka scored eight times in 30 games as Niko Kovac's side won the title. Made his debut for Germany Under-16s against Northern Ireland in 2010, scoring in a game that Paddy McNair also played in.

EMRE CAN JUVENTUS

SERGE GNABRY BAYERN MUNICH

KAI HAVERTZ BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Age Caps

25 21

Age Caps 8 Goals 7

24

Age Caps 3 Goals 0

20

Goals 1

Can spent four years with Liverpool but left on a free in 2018 to join Juventus, with whom he won the Serie A title last season. Can, who missed out on his country’s 2018 World Cup squad, won the Premier League's goal of the season award in 2016-17 for his sensational overhead kick against Watford.

An ex-Arsenal player who once spent time on loan with West Brom, Gnabry's career has taken off since he returned to Germany, initially with Werder Bremen in 2016. Scored a hat-trick against San Marino on his senior international bow in 2016, becoming the first man to hit a treble on his Germany debut in 40 years.

Havertz is considered one of Germany's most exciting prospects, having become the youngest player to make 50 Bundesliga appearances in 2018. He scored 17 times for Bayer Leverkusen last term - a tally only Robert Lewandowski and Paco Alcacer could better across the division - and opened his account for this campaign after just 19 minutes.

STRIKERS

TIMO WERNER RB LEIPZIG

LUCA WALDSCHMIDT FREIBURG

Age Caps 25 Goals 10 23

Age Caps 0 Goals 0

23

Werner has proved prolific since moving to Leipzig, scoring 50 times in the last three seasons, while he has five goals in three appearances already this term. Werner scored a bagful of goals for Germany at youth level and also won the Golden Boot at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Received his first call-up from Low for this squad having scored a tournament-leading seven goals for the Under-21s at the Euros in the summer. The Freiburg striker has extended his purple patch into this season, netting in each of his club's opening three fixtures of the campaign.

**All caps/goals correct before Netherlands game**

35

www.irishfa.com

FACTFILE GERMANY Words Liam Blackburn

INTERNATIONAL

» » One of the greatest international teams in world football return to Belfast for the second time in under two years, with something akin to a friendship having been established between the two countries in recent times. » » Germany were the reigning world champions when they faced Michael O'Neill's men in Paris at Euro 2016. Die Mannschaft produced a display that was befitting of their status as the best team on the planet but were thwarted time and again by Michael McGovern. His eight saves ensured Germany only secured a 1-0 victory and Northern Ireland subsequently made it through to the last 16. » » The Germans developed an appreciation for the Green and White Army that day and when Joachim Low's side beat O'Neill's side 2-0 in Hannover in a 2018 World Cup qualifier a few months later Gala's 'Freed From Desire' - an adopted Northern Ireland anthem about Will Grigg being on fire - was the first song played after the final whistle. » » Sebastian Rudy's astonishing second-minute opener from long range set Germany on course for a 3-1 win at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in 2017 but Low's team have had a difficult and transformative couple of years since. » » Their world title defence in Russia was a disaster as Germany bowed out at the group stage having won just one of their three games and losing the other two to Mexico and South Korea. » » Long-serving boss Low stayed on but then saw his team relegated from the top tier of the UEFA Nations League as they failed to win any of their four games against Netherlands or France, the team that had succeeded them as world champions. » » Having won just four of their 13 games in 2018, Low said of 2019: "This is the year for our new beginning." That meant World Cup winners Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller were all informed they would no longer be considered for the national team. » » Indeed Manuel Neuer was the only World Cup winner to start the 1-1 friendly draw with Serbia in March. Instead Low is largely looking to the next generation to bring Germany back to the top. » » It was such a transition that Low oversaw in 2010 when he selected six players 21 or under, including Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Boateng and Muller, for the World Cup in South Africa.

» » Despite fielding the second youngest team at the tournament, Germany would reach the semi-finals and get knocked out by Spain, the team that had defeated them in the Euro 2008 final as well. » » By the time the 2014 World Cup came around Germany were ready to take the next step and, although they needed extra time to see off Algeria in the last 16, it was the 7-1 demolition of hosts Brazil in the last four that made the world take notice. » » Miroslav Klose scored his 16th World Cup goal in that fixture, surpassing Ronaldo as the competition's all-time leading marksman, while Brazil suffered their first competitive home defeat in 39 years. » » The final was a far tighter affair but Mario Gotze came off the bench to score the winner against Argentina after Low told him to "show the world you're better than Messi". » » That delivered Germany's fourth World Cup, adding to the successes West Germany achieved in 1954, 1974 and 1990. » » Gerd Muller, the 1970 World Cup golden boot winner, was integral to the 1974 success and scored the winner in the final in Munich before retiring with 68 goals in 62 international appearances. His team- mate Franz Beckenbauer became only the second man to win the World Cup as a player and coach when guiding Lothar Matthaus and Co to glory again in 1990. » » Despite their global dominance across the decades, Northern Ireland have enjoyed some fine results against German teams. Eight years before their 1990 success, West Germany had been beaten in a European Championships qualifier by Northern Ireland thanks to a goal from Ian Stewart and, in the return fixture in Hamburg, Billy Bingham's side again emerged victorious as Norman Whiteside scored the winner. » » The two countries met again in a 1998 World Cup qualifier in Nuremburg in 1996 and Germany's winless streak against Northern Ireland was extended to five matches in a 1-1 draw. The Euro 1996 winners were rocked by Gerry Taggart's brilliant opening goal only for Andreas Moller to reply. » » That was the last time Germany failed to beat Northern Ireland, with Oliver Bierhoff coming off the bench to score a seven-minute hat-trick a year later after Michael Hughes had opened the scoring and given Northern Ireland hope of another famous success.

36

www.irishfa.com