Northern Ireland v Greece (02/06/2022)

NORTHERN IRELAND SUFFER NARROW DEFEAT AGAINST HUNGARY Northern Ireland were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Hungary in an international challenge match in Belfast back in March. Following a 3-1 away friendly win against Luxembourg a few days earlier, Ian Baraclough was keen for his side to keep up the momentum ahead of this month’s four UEFA Nations League matches. Although they did not win the match, there were still plenty of encouraging signs for the senior men’s team manager. Northern Ireland produced the better chances across the 90 minutes and were only undone when Hungary punished a mistake. On 10 minutes Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis, winning his 134th cap for his country, was unlucky not to open the scoring with an audacious effort. The midfielder ran on to a loose Zsolt Nagy pass close to the edge of the area and curled a wonderful right foot shot past Hungary goalkeeper Denes Dibusz which clipped off the base of the post. A one-two between debutant Paddy Lane and Niall McGinn led to the latter feeding Gavin Whyte. He jinked his way into the area, however he was blocked off by Hungarian defender Willi Orban and the ball squirmed away from him. In the 40th minute Josh Magennis flicked a header on to Whyte who squared it to McGinn and his snapshot was superbly tipped around the post by Dibusz. Just after the restart substitute Dion Charles appeared to be pushed in the back by Hungary

WORDS: NIGEL T ILSON

defender Adam Lang as he raced into the area, however referee Rob Harvey waved appeals for a penalty away. Hungary took the lead on 56 minutes. McGinn’s pass back to Bailey Peacock-Farrell fell short and Roland Sallai nipped in to round the keeper and stroke the ball home. Very few chances were created as the game became scrappy. Craig Cathcart made a last-ditch clearance as Hungary threatened on 76 minutes. In the closing stages Northern Ireland piled on the pressure as they went in search of an equaliser. Cathcart released substitute Stuart Dallas down the left. His cross into the area was flicked on by fellow sub Shayne Lavery and Charles was just inches away from connecting with the ball four yards out. Then sub Jordan Thompson whipped in a lovely ball which was met by fellow sub George Saville but Dibusz saved his powerful header. Moments later a back post header from debutant Trai Hume, who had also entered the fray from the subs’ bench, was saved by the keeper, who dived at full stretch to keep it out. Right at the death Dibusz produced another save to keep his team ahead, this time from a close range Charles effort. And Lavery screwed an effort wide moments before the ref blew the final whistle. Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Paddy McNair, Ciaron Brown, Daniel Ballard, Craig Cathcart, Paddy Lane, Niall McGinn, Steven Davis (captain) , Alistair McCann, Josh Magennis, Gavin Whyte. Substitutes: (used) Dion Charles, George Saville, Stuart Dallas, Shayne Lavery, Jordan Thompson, Trai Hume; (unused) Luke Southwood (GK) , Conor Hazard (GK) , Tom Flanagan, Shane Ferguson, Corry Evans, Liam Donnelly. Hungary: Denes Dibusz, Willi Orban, Attila Fiola, Adam Lang, Loic Nego, Zsolt Nagy, Callum Styles, Andras Schafer, Adam Szalai (captain) , Dominik Szoboszlai, Roland Sallai. Substitutes: Peter Szappanos, Akos Kecskes, Adam Nagy, Kevin Varga, Bendeguz Bolla, Csaba Spandler, Daniel Gazdag, Martin Adam, Szabolcs Schon, Balint Vecsei.

IRISHFA.COM

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