Northern Ireland v Netherlands

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

On behalf of the Irish Football Association it gives me great pleasure to welcome the officials, players and supporters of The Netherlands to Belfast and in particular to our National Football Stadium for this EURO 2020 Group C qualifying match.

The last two fixtures in Group C are upon us and we have the challenge of playing home and away against two of the top ten teams in world football inside a three-day period. Defeat at home to Germany in September was followed by a great display in Rotterdam against the Netherlands, but of course there was that disappointment of conceding two goals in added time and finishing on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline, which was considered harsh on the night. The squad then travelled to Prague where they achieved an excellent 3-2 win against the Czech Republic in the latest mandatory friendly. Tonight‘s game has been eagerly awaited since the fixtures were published almost a year ago and remarkably the last time the Netherlands were in Belfast for an A international was 42 years ago on 12 October 1977 when superstars George Best and Johan Cruyff were in opposition. The Netherlands won on that occasion with a Willy van der Kuijlen goal and qualified for the finals in Argentina, where they lost to the hosts in the final. This will be our eighth meeting in total dating back to 1962. The Netherlands arrive in Belfast sitting in first place in the group with two games to play. Northern Ireland are in third place, three points behind. It is a big game for both countries and the managers will relish the opportunity of leading their respective teams towards the EURO finals next June. For Michael O’Neill the past 10 days have moved at an incredible pace and we congratulate him on his appointment as manager at EFL Championship club Stoke City. Our best wishes go with Michael in his new role.

Depending on automatic qualification, the play-offs and the draw for them, it is possible that tonight’s game will be our last home match until the UEFA Nations League games commence next September. Michael’s eight-year tenure guiding the fortunes of Northern Ireland football has given everyone involved, officials and supporters alike, great pride in the achievements of the team. It is a great opportunity tonight for us all to show our appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the Irish Football Association and sport generally in Northern Ireland. We have another sell-out competitive match and there has been huge demand for tickets over the last two campaigns. It is again pleasing to record the association’s thanks to the Northern Ireland supporters who turn out in such great numbers both home and away and give outstanding encouragement and support to the team. I look forward to more of the same tonight. Christmas Day is just over five weeks away and, on the occasion of our last home international of 2019, I take this opportunity on behalf of all at the Irish Football Association to wish everyone in the Northern Ireland football family every blessing for a happy and peaceful Christmas period. I hope everyone enjoys another exciting game of football tonight. Safe home. David J Martin President Irish Football Association

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