Northern Ireland v Lithuania (12/11/2021)

WORDS: NIGEL T ILSON

NORTHERN IRELAND LOSE OUT TO BULGARIA

Northern Ireland came up short against Bulgaria in a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier in Sofia last month.

The disappointing 2-1 defeat in the Vasil Levski National Stadium put paid to their slim chances of reaching a World Cup play-off. As well as taking the lead in the first half they also created and missed some good chances in the opening 45 minutes - and their failure to convert those opportunities ultimately proved costly as the Bulgarians prevailed thanks to two second half goals. Northern Ireland opened the scoring on 35 minutes when Josh Magennis fired in a low shot which was pushed out by Bulgaria keeper Ivan Karadzhov and Conor Washington nipped in to steer the rebound home. Initially the goal was ruled out for offside, however it stood following a VAR check. Bulgaria equalised in the 53rd minute through Todor Nedelev, a player whom Ian Baraclough had earmarked as being dangerous. The midfielder pivoted as a cross came in down the left and slammed the ball past Northern Ireland keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell from 12 yards. Yasen Petrov’s team’s tails were up following their goal and they took the lead on 63 minutes

thanks to another first class strike from Nedelev. He smashed the ball into the top corner from 16 yards, and it proved to be the winner. Steven Davis, winning his 130th cap for his country, tried to rally the troops along with substitute Stuart Dallas but it was to no avail . Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell , Conor Bradley, Daniel Ballard, Craig Cathcart , Tom Flanagan, Shane Ferguson, Paddy McNair, Steven Davis (captain) , Josh Magennis, Conor Washington, Jordan Thompson. Substitutes: (used) Jordan Jones, Stuart Dallas, Niall McGinn, Dion Charles; (unused) Conor Hazard, Liam Hughes, Carl Winchester, Paul Smyth, Alfie McCalmont , Ciaron Brown. Bulgaria: Ivan Karadzhov, Ivan Turitsov, Andrea Hristov, Radoslav Tsonev, Todor Nedelev, Kiril Despodov (captain) , Borislav Tsonev, Ivaylo Chochev, Atanas Iliev, Dimitar Velkovski. Substitutes: Martin Lukov (GK) , Svetoslav Vutsov (GK) , Birsent Karagaren, Dominic Yankov, Spas Delev, Radoslav Kirilov, Petar Vitanov, Vasil Bozhikov, Kristiyan Malinov, Kaloyan Krastev, Dimitar Iliev, Ilian Iliev.

IRISHFA.COM

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