Northern Ireland v New Zealand Match Programme

O IRELAND

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Northern Ireland v New Zealand Vauxhall International Challenge Match Friday 2 June 2017 National Football Stadium At Windsor Park Kick-Off: 19.45

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CONTENTS

TEAMS

2

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

3

MICHAEL O’NEILL

5

PATRICK NELSON 7 NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD 16 OLIVER NORWOOD INTERVIEW 18 DID YOU KNOW? 22 THE OPPONENTS - NEW ZEALAND 29 LIAM BOYCE INTERVIEW 38 MASCOTS 44 INTERNATIONAL RECORD 47

3JƤGMEP 4YFPMGEXMSR F] -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Donegall Avenue, Belfast, BT12 6LW Editor Nigel Tilson Head of Communications Neil Brittain Design and Print Minprint Ltd, 401 Castlereagh Road, Belfast, Co Down, BT5 6QP Tel: 028 9070 5205 www.minprint.co.uk

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

Cover The artwork featured on the front cover of the programme was created by James Jones from Dundonald. James (21) was the winner of a design-a-cover competition run through the Irish FA’s social media channels. He says the artwork represents the youth on the streets that are the future of football in Northern Ireland 4PIEWI RSXI XLEX XLI ZMI[W MR XLMW TVSKVEQQI HS RSX RIGIWWEVMP] VIƥIGX XLSWI SJ XLI -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR

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NORTHERN IRELAND

NEW ZEALAND

Michael O’Neill Manager

Anthony Hudson Head Coach

Stefan Marinovic 7T:KK 9RXIVLEGLMRK +)6 Tamati Williams 6/' ;EEP[MNO 2)( Glen Moss 2I[GEWXPI .IXW %97 Andrew Durante ;IPPMRKXSR 4LSIRM\ 2>0 Thomas Doyle ;IPPMRKXSR 4LSIRM\ 2>0 Storm Roux 'IRXVEP 'SEWX 1EVMRIVW %97 Michael Boxall 7YTIV7TSVX 9RMXIH 7% Kip Colvey San .SWI )EVXLUYEOIW 97% Themi Tzimopoulos 4%7 +MERRMRE +VIIGI Deklan Wynne :ERGSYZIV ;LMXIGETW '%2 Sam Brotherton Sunderland Tommy Smith Ipswich Town Dane Ingham &VMWFERI 6SEV %97 Bill Tuiloma 1EVWIMPPI *6% Clayton Lewis %YGOPERH 'MX] 2>0 Michael McGlinchey ;IPPMRKXSR 4LSIRM\ 2>0 Ryan Thomas 4)' >[SPPI 2)( Marco Rojas 1IPFSYVRI :MGXSV] %97 Alex Rufer ;IPPMRKXSR 4LSIRM\ 2>0 Chris Wood 0IIHW 9RMXIH Monty Patterson Ipswich Town Shane Smeltz &SVRIS *' -RHSRIWME Kosta Barbarouses Wellington Phoenix 2>0

Roy Carroll 0MRƤIPH Michael McGovern Norwich City Alan Mannus St Johnstone Aaron Hughes Heart of Midlothian Gareth McAuley West Bromwich Albion Jonathan Evans West Bromwich Albion Chris Brunt West Bromwich Albion Craig Cathcart Watford Conor McLaughlin Fleetwood Town Lee Hodson Rangers Daniel Lafferty 7LIJƤIPH 9RMXIH Adam Thompson 7SYXLIRH 9RMXIH Ryan McLaughlin Oldham Athletic Tom Flanagan Burton Albion Steven Davis Southampton Niall McGinn Aberdeen Oliver Norwood Brighton and Hove Albion Shane Ferguson Millwall Stuart Dallas 0IIHW 9RMXIH Paul Paton St Johnstone Matthew Lund Burton Albion Kyle Lafferty 9REXXEGLIH Josh Magennis Charlton Athletic Liam Boyce Ross County Shay McCartan Accrington Stanley

Green and White

All White / All Black

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee

Laurent Kopriwa Luxembourg David Mateus Santos Luxembourg Daniel Da Costa Luxembourg Alain Durieux Luxembourg

Assistant Referee 1 Assistant Referee 2

*SYVXL 3JƤGMEP

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PRESIDENT’S

WELCOME

On behalf of the Irish Football Association it gives me great TPIEWYVI XS [IPGSQI XLI TPE]IVW ERH SJƤGMEPW SJ XLI 2I[ Zealand FA to the National Football Stadium in Belfast for this evening's Vauxhall international friendly game.

I am sure there will be a number of people with 2I[ >IEPERH VSSXW ERH GSRRIGXMSRW GSQMRK EPSRK and I extend a warm welcome to everyone. 8LI KEQI [MPP FI XLI ƤVWX FIX[IIR SYV GSYRXVMIW EX full international level and an opportunity to forge new friendships for our respective associations. It is also a great opportunity for both management teams to get some match practice in advance of important competitive games later in the month. 3YV ZMWMXSVW EVI SR E QMRM )YVSTIER XSYV MR preparation for the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Russia and the Northern Ireland WUYEH EVI TVITEVMRK JSV XLI ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIV EKEMRWX %^IVFEMNER MR &EOY RI\X 7EXYVHE] night when they will seek to build on the excellent win over Norway at the end of March. %[E] JVSQ JSSXFEPP 2I[ >IEPERH LEW LMWXSVMG GSRRIGXMSRW [MXL 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH 9PWXIV 8LVII SJ 2I[ >IEPERHŭW 4VMQI 1MRMWXIVW [IVI FSVR LIVI SRI SJ [LSQ [EW .SLR &EPPERGI [LS [EW MRWTMVEXMSREP MR XLI JSVQEXMSR SJ XLI 9PWXIV 2I[ >IEPERH 8VYWX [LMGL MW FEWIH EX &EPPERGI ,SYWI +PIREZ] 'S Antrim. (IQERH JSV WXEHMYQ ERH LIVMXEKI GIRXVI ZMWMXW has been high and the response positive to the %WWSGMEXMSR MR XLI EGUYMVMRK SJ X[S JVMIRHP] KEQIW HYVMRK XLMW ;SVPH 'YT GEQTEMKR EKEMRWX 'VSEXME MR

2SZIQFIV ERH XLMW IZIRMRK EKEMRWX 2I[ >IEPERH 8LEROW XS EPP [LS LEZI GSQI SYX MR WMKRMƤGERX numbers to support the team. 8LI %PP &PEGOW [LS EVI GYVVIRXP] LSWXMRK XLI &VMXMWL ERH -VMWL 0MSRW LEZI FIIR XS XLIWI WLSVIW MR XLI past and now it is the turn of the All Whites to play a full international here. I do hope that the travelling party enjoy their time in Northern Ireland and take home lasting memories of their visit. At the March game against Norway the Association was to present Aaron Hughes with E WTIGMEPP] GSQQMWWMSRIH GET XS QEVO LMW XL international but an injury necessitated Aaron returning to his club. %EVSR E VSPI QSHIP JSV ER] ]SYRK TPE]IV QEOMRK XLIMV [E] MR XLI TVSJIWWMSREP KEQI LEW FIIR E great servant to Northern Ireland football and GYVVIRXP] LEW GETW 8SRMKLX [I LSTI XS QEOI XLI GET TVIWIRXEXMSR XS SYV ƤVWX SYXƤIPH GIRXYVMSR just prior to kick-off. - LSTI XLEX ]SY EPP IRNS] XLI KEQI ERH XLI WXEHMYQ I\TIVMIRGI ERH LEZI E WEJI NSYVRI] LSQI David J Martin President Irish Football Association

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EXCEPTIONAL MEDICS TAKE TOP AWARD

The medical team who look after Northern Ireland’s senior international squad have received a top award for their work at the Euros last summer.

The Northern Ireland medical team with their Football Medical Association award for exceptional achievement. They are (from left) physiotherapist Neil McCullough, sports scientist Paul Walsh, Head Doctor Dr David White, Head Physiotherapist Caroline Woods, physiotherapist Darren McMaster and Head of Sports Science Dr Richard McCann.

'VEMK 7XERƤIPH +VIK 7LMIPHW ERH XLI OMXQIR 6E]QSRH 1MPPEV 'SPMR 1G+MJJIVX ERH 7XITLIR Ferguson.” Head Physiotherapist Caroline Woods received the award at a glittering ceremony at the Radisson Blu )EWX 1MHPERHW ,SXIP PEWX [IIOIRH She also heaped praise on the day-to-day work of the team. She said: “It is nice for the medical side of things to get recognition. We are a small team ERH EWWSGMEXMSR [LS [SVO ZIV] LEVH 8LI )YVSW [IVI WYGL E WYGGIWW JVSQ EPP EWTIGXW RSX NYWX the performance of the team but from a medical EWTIGX XSS Ű;IŭZI FIIR [SVOMRK LEVH FILMRH XLI WGIRIW JSV E PSRK XMQI ERH JSV SYV ƤVWX ETTIEVERGI EX E QENSV XSYVREQIRX XS KS WS [IPP HIƤRMXIP] WXSSH YW ETEVX from the competition.” Words: Peter Gilpin

The team were recognised ahead of other home REXMSRW ERH XST GPYFW EGVSWW XLI 9/ EW XLI] VIGIMZIH XLI )\GITXMSREP %GLMIZIQIRX %[EVH JVSQ XLI *SSXFEPP 1IHMGEP %WWSGMEXMSR *1% 8LI *1% MWɄER MRHITIRHIRX QIQFIVWLMT SVKERMWEXMSR JSV QIHMGW XLIVETMWXW ERH WGMIRGI personnel in professional football. ,IEH (SGXSV (V (EZMH ;LMXI [EW JYPP SJ TVEMWI JSV his medical colleagues and the wider team who look after the senior Northern Ireland players. He said: “This award is great for all the hard work [I TYX MR EX XLI )YVSW PEWX ]IEV -X [EW E ƤVWX JSV EPP of us and everything went so well. Ű-XŭW RMGI XS KIX VIGSKRMWIH F] XLI [MHIV JSSXFEPP medical community with an award like this and on behalf of the medical staff I would like to thank all association staff who helped us prepare for the )YVSW MR TEVXMGYPEV 1MGLEIP 3ŭ2IMPP (EZMH 'YVVMI

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MANAGER’S VIEW

,S[IZIV ERH [MXL RS HMWVIWTIGX XS SYV ERXMTSHIER ZMWMXSVW XSRMKLX - XLMRO [I EPP ORS[ XLEX MR XLI UYIWX JSV XLEX GSZIXIH ;' TPE] SJJ WPSX XLMW challenge match is probably not as important as XLI SRI MR IMKLX HE]Wŭ XMQI MR &EOY 3J GSYVWI XSRMKLX ERH XLI STTSVXYRMXMIW MX KMZIW YW is going to be vital in the preparation for the World 'YT UYEPMƤIV EKEMRWX %^IVFEMNER Recently we have built up an enviable record here EX XLI 2EXMSREP *SSXFEPP 7XEHMYQ [MXL XLI SRP] FPMT FIMRK EKEMRWX 'VSEXME PEWX 2SZIQFIV ERH [I all are aware that we want to go into our autumn programme with our solid home form intact. 8LI 2I[ >IEPERH WUYEH [MPP VITVIWIRX ER interesting challenge for us. Not only is the game a vital part of our preparation for the World Cup UYEPMƤIV EW QER] SJ SYV TPE]IVW [MPP RSX LEZI played for a few weeks following the completion SJ XLIMV WIEWSR FYX MX MW EP[E]W MRXVMKYMRK XS XIWX yourself against unusual opposition. 2SX XLEX 2I[ >IEPERH EVI YRORS[R ;I ORS[ QER] SJ XLIMV TPE]IVW WYGL EW 'LVMW ;SSH ERH ;MRWXSR 6IMH JVSQ )RKPMWL JSSXFEPP ERH - ORS[ that for them - as they make their way to the Confederations Cup tournament in Russia - tonight is just as important. It is a cliché, and one often repeated by managers and coaches, that the next match is the most important.

Our focus will always be to win all of our matches ERH XSRMKLX [MPP FI RS HMJJIVIRX FYX - [SYPH FI P]MRK if I said this match will not be played with one eye on what we need in Baku next week. There are few enough international dates and most are taken up with the strenuous business of trying XS UYEPMJ] JSV GLEQTMSRWLMTW WS XLIVI MW ER SRYW on trying to make the most of the opportunities XLIWI QEXGLIW TVSZMHI FSXL JVSQ E GSEGLMRK ERH preparation perspective and from the chances that such games give to players. I trust that we will FIRIƤX TSWMXMZIP] JVSQ XLMW KEQI 3RGI EKEMR - [SYPH PMOI XS TE] XVMFYXI XS ]SY XLI fans. You have been behind us every step of the way and everything that the team achieves is doubly satisfying when we can see your support and reaction. I can assure you that we are all focused on providing even more memorable nights here at the stadium. Thanks for your continued support.. Michael O’Neill Northern Ireland Manager

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GOOD EVENING

Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for the Vauxhall International Challenge match against New Zealand.

;I EVI HIPMKLXIH XS LSWX XLI %PP ;LMXIW JSV XLI ƤVWX ever full international between our countries and we wish them good luck in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia later this month. Perhaps they can pave the way for ourselves to make an extended trip to Russia next summer! For Michael O'Neill this game is a key part of his WUYEH TVITEVEXMSR JSV RI\X [IIOIRH W GVYGMEP *-*% ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIV MR %^IVFEMNER ERH - Q WYVI 2I[ >IEPERH [MPP TVSZI XS FI E WXIVR XIWX JSV YW Many of our players will have ended their competitive season a few weeks ago so the training camps we have had in the lead-up to this QEXGL TPYW XLI KEQI SJ GSYVWI EVI EPP EMQIH EX having the players in peak condition in Baku. It has been a busy season for us at the Irish *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR [MXL XLI ƤREP GSQTPIXMSR SJ the rebuild of the National Football Stadium back MR 3GXSFIV ERH XLI STIRMRK SJ XLI )HYGEXMSR ERH Heritage Centre in March. 1SVI XLER TISTPI LEZI EPVIEH] I\TIVMIRGIH XLI )HYGEXMSR ERH ,IVMXEKI 'IRXVI ERH - LEZI ]IX to meet anyone who hasn't enjoyed the experience. %JXIV EPP [LIVI IPWI GER ]SY WII XLI &VMXMWL 'LEQTMSRWLMT XVSTL] ERH XLI SVMKMREP -VMWL 'YT XV] XS XEGOPI (EZMH ,IEP] SV /IMXL +MPPIWTMI ERH XLIR XV] your luck against Pat Jennings from the penalty spot? The latest additions to the supporter experience at the stadium are the refreshment kiosks where food

ERH HVMRO MRGPYHMRK EPGSLSP EVI RS[ EZEMPEFPI ERH - brand new today - the automated turnstile gates where your tickets are electronically scanned to allow entry to the ground. Whenever we go abroad for internationals or TIVLETW ZMWMX E TVSJIWWMSREP KVSYRH MR )RKPERH SV Scotland we take all of these stadium facilities for granted so it is nice to have them now as part of our own supporter offering. *MREPP] XSHE] - [SYPH PMOI XS QIRXMSR XLI 9)*% ;SQIRŭW 9RHIV 'LEQTMSRWLMT ƤREPW [LMGL XEOI TPEGI MR 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH JVSQ %YKYWX -X WIIQW PMOI E PSRK XMQI WMRGI 9)*% E[EVHIH LSWXMRK VMKLXW XS YW JSV XLMW TVIWXMKMSYW XSYVREQIRX and now it is only 67 days to the opening game here at the National Football Stadium. We will know who we play against in this and our other group KEQIW SR .YRI [LIR XLI XSYVREQIRX HVE[ XEOIW place at Belfast City Hall. Tickets for all games are available now via Ticketmaster. )RNS] XLI KEQI XSRMKLX LEZI E KSSH WYQQIV ERH we look forward to seeing you here again for the '^IGL 6ITYFPMG KEQI MR 7ITXIQFIV

Patrick Nelson Chief Executive Irish Football Association

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SPONSOR’S WELCOME

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE IFA

Tonight’s match at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park sees Michael O’Neill’s side face a friendly against New Zealand in [LEX [MPP FI XLI ƤVWX IZIV QIIXMRK FIX[IIR XLI X[S REXMSRW EX senior international level.

We know that the support given to the team in recent years will continue during this summer and into the autumn as Northern Ireland bid to reach the biggest football stage of all: the World Cup Finals. The achievements in France last summer will live PSRK MR XLI QIQSV] ERH EW PIEH WTSRWSV SJ XLI 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH 8IEQ :EY\LEPP [MPP FI XLIVI IZIV] step along the way as the players do their best to emulate that feat in this campaign.

The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park crowd can make the difference and we have no doubt that you will show your great support to 1MGLEIP 3ŭ2IMPPŭW WMHI EKEMR XSRMKLX +IX-2 .SMR YW SR 8[MXXIV $:EY\LEPP2- JSV QEXGLHE] conversation. 8S ƤRH SYX QSVI EFSYX SYV :EY\LEPP +IX-2 GEQTEMKR GSQTIXMXMSRW ERH I\GPYWMZI TPE]IVW content, visit vauxhallfootball.co.uk.

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NORTHERN IRELAND 2 Ward (2'), Washington (33') NORWAY 0

2018 WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFYING

GROUP C 26.03.2017

National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast Attendance 18,161

STATS

POSSESSION

43

57

SHOTS

10

7

SHOTS ON TARGET

3

4

CORNERS

4

2

FOULS

6

12

TEAMS

1 McGovern 20 Cathcart 4 McAuley 5 Evans 16 Norwood 2 McLaughlin 8 Davis 11 Brunt 14 Dallas 19 Ward 9 Washington 3 Lafferty D 6 Hodson 7 McGinn 10 Lafferty K 12 Mannus 15 Boyce 17 Lund 18 Paton 21 McLaughlin 22 Flanagan Substitutes

1 Jarstein 14 Elabdellaoui 3 Hovland

5 Valsvik 2 Skjelvik

6 Nordtveit 8 Johansen 18 Elyounoussi 7 King 11 Elyounoussi 9 Søderlund Substitutes 4 Reginiussen 10 Konradsen 12 Nyland 13 Berge 15 Møller Dæhli 16 Svensson 17 Hedenstad 19 Berisha 20 Diomande 21 Semb Berge

22 Hansen 23 Berget

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NORTHERN IRELAND 2 NORWAY 0

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50 AND COUNTING… Prior to kick-off in the Norway game Irish FA President (EZMH 1EVXMR TVIWIRXIH 2MEPP

1G+MRR .SRR] )ZERW ERH Kyle Lafferty with special commemorative caps to QEVO XLIMV VIWTIGXMZI XL appearances for Northern Ireland.

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NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD

ROY CARROLL GOALKEEPER

MICHAEL McGOVERN GOALKEEPER

ALAN MANNUS GOALKEEPER

AARON HUGHES DEFENDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

0MRƤIPH

Norwich City

St Johnstone

Heart of Midlothian

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age 37

Caps Goals

JONNY EVANS DEFENDER

CHRIS BRUNT DEFENDER

GARETH McAULEY DEFENDER

CRAIG CATHCART DEFENDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion Age Caps Goals

West Bromwich Albion

Watford

Age 37

Caps Goals

Age Caps 57

Goals

Age Caps 33

Goals

CONOR McLAUGHLIN DEFENDER

LEE HODSON DEFENDER

DANIEL LAFFERTY DEFENDER

ADAM THOMPSON DEFENDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Fleetwood Town

Glasgow Rangers

7LIJƤIPH 9RMXIH

7SYXLIRH 9RMXIH

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

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RYAN McLAUGHLIN DEFENDER

TOM FLANAGAN DEFENDER

STEVEN DAVIS MIDFIELDER

NIALL McGINN MIDFIELDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Oldham Athletic

Burton Albion

Southampton

Aberdeen

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals 3

OLIVER NORWOOD MIDFIELDER

SHANE FERGUSON MIDFIELDER

St Johnstone Age Caps 3 PAUL PATON MIDFIELDER Club

STUART DALLAS MIDFIELDER

Club

Club

Club

Brighton & Hove Albion Age Caps Goals

Millwall

0IIHW 9RMXIH

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Goals

MATTHEW LUND MIDFIELDER

KYLE LAFFERTY FORWARD

JOSH MAGENNIS FORWARD

LIAM BOYCE FORWARD

SHAY McCARTAN FORWARD

Club

Club

Club

Club

Club

Burton Albion

9REXXEGLIH

Charlton Athletic

Ross County

Accrington Stanley Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals

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Oliver Norwood plans to continue blending folklore with football as he prepares for one of the most exciting years of his career.

“We'll be underdogs next season but I'm used to XLEX - ZI FIIR TEVX SJ E 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH XIEQ that has been the underdog before and we have achieved great things. Ű8LIVI W RS VIEWSR [MXL XLI WUYEH ERH togetherness we have at Brighton why we can't stay in the Premier League. Ű)ZIV]XLMRK MW XLIVI XLI MRJVEWXVYGXYVI WXEHMYQ XVEMRMRK KVSYRH GLEMVQER QEREKIV ERH TPE]IVW We just have to make it work. “The likes of Burnley and Bournemouth have gone up in recent seasons and stayed in the Premier 0IEKYI WS XLI] EVI ER I\EQTPI [I GER JSPPS[ “They have spent some money - you have to - but not the millions and millions the big boys have spent and they have managed to sustain their 4VIQMIV 0IEKYI WXEXYW WS MX GER FI HSRI ű ;MXL LMW JYPP JSGYW FEGO SR XLI MRXIVREXMSREP WXEKI 2SV[SSH MW IEKIV XS FYMPH SR XLI GSRƤHIRX WXEVX Northern Ireland have made to their World Cup UYEPMJ]MRK GEQTEMKR

Twelve months on from starring in Northern -VIPERH W ƤVWX IZIV )YVS ƤREPW I\TIVMIRGI MR *VERGI XLI QMHƤIPHIV MW JVIWL JVSQ LIPTMRK &VMKLXSR IRH XLIMV ]IEV I\MPI JVSQ XLI &EVGPE]W 4VIQMIV League. 8LI PEWX XMQI XLI 7IEKYPPW WSEVIH MR XLI VEVIƤIH EMV SJ )RKPMWL JSSXFEPP W XST ƥMKLX [EW MR [LIR international boss Michael O'Neill was a fresh JEGIH ]IEV SPH With Northern Ireland also in the midst of targeting E TPEGI EX RI\X WYQQIV W ;SVPH 'YT ƤREPW MR 6YWWME 2SV[SSH LEW QER] PERHQEVO QSQIRXW XS look forward to in the months ahead. Ű-X W ER I\GMXMRK XMQI ű WEMH XLI &YVRPI] FSVR TPE]QEOIV [LS MW VIPMWLMRK &VMKLXSR W VIXYVR XS XLI XST VYRK SJ )RKPMWL JSSXFEPP “It's an incredible achievement because it's getting harder to get into the Premier League from the 'LEQTMSRWLMT ű LI TSMRXIH SYX “To go back in pre-season as a Premier League GPYF [MPP FI XIVVMƤG ERH MX W WSQIXLMRK XLI GLEMVQER management team and players have worked so hard for.

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Nominate Your Grassroots Heroes

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To nominate your #grassrootsheroes, visit mcdonalds.co.uk/communityawards

OLIVER NORWOOD

Position Midfielder Date Of Birth 12.04.1991 Place Of Birth

MIDFIELD

Burnley Height 180cm Weight 76kg

CLUB RECORD

12

%X XLI QMH[E] TSMRX 1MGLEIP 3 2IMPP W QIR FSEWX TSMRXW JVSQ E TSWWMFPI ERH PMI WIGSRH MR their group behind runaway leaders Germany. &IEX %^IVFEMNER RI\X 7EXYVHE] ERH XLI TVSWTIGX of sealing a runners-up berth and potential play- off route to Russia will increase. Norwood said: “We're in a good position and to SRP] LEZI PSWX XS +IVQER] XLI [SVPH GLEQTMSRW MR SYV STIRMRK ƤZI KVSYT KEQIW MWR X XSS FEH “At the start of the campaign we spoke about KIXXMRK XS TSMRXW EW UYMGOP] EW [I GSYPH ERH SYV RI\X EMQ MW XS LMX XLI QEVO EW WSSR EW possible.” *SPPS[MRK RI\X [IIO W XVMT XS &EOY 2SVXLIVR Ireland conclude their campaign with two double headers in September and October against San 1EVMRS E ERH '^IGL 6ITYFPMG L ERH XLIR +IVQER] L ERH 2SV[E] E Ű%^IVFEMNER MW E ZIV] MQTSVXERX KEQI JSV YW ű said Norwood. “If we can get three points from XLEX Ƥ\XYVI - XLMRO WM\ TSMRXW JVSQ XLI VIQEMRMRK games - which is do-able - could be enough to see us take second place.” 3R XSRMKLX W JVMIRHP] EKEMRWX 2I[ >IEPERH LI added: “I think it's a good game for us heading MRXS XLI %^IVFEMNER UYEPMƤIV “It'll be tough but it will also be a nice test for us at home in front of our fans who will be there in good numbers.” Words: Darren Fullerton, Daily Mirror

SQUAD NO

CLUBS Manchester United Carlisle United (loan) 6 Scunthorpe United (loan) 15 0

Coventry City (loan) Huddersfield Town

80 81 21

Reading

Brighton & Hove Albion

INTERNATIONAL RECORD

16

SQUAD NO

Debut 10.08.2010 v Montenegro (A) Lost 0-2

Caps 44 Goals 0

Northern Ireland U19 Northern Ireland U21 Northern Ireland B

7

11

1

21

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DID YOU KNOW?

Words: Marshall Gillespie

-J 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH ƤRH XLI RIX ZIVWYW 2I[ >IEPERH this evening it will be their 650th goal in international competition since 1882. 3XLIV QMPIWXSRI KSEPW SZIV XLI ]IEVW LEZI FIIR 1st goal Samuel Johnston v Wales (a) Feb 1882 50th Andy Turner v Wales (a) Feb 1896 100th Billy Gillespie v England (h) Feb 1913 150th Jimmy Dunne v England (a) Oct 1930 200th Billy Simpson v France (h) May 1951 250th Billy Bingham v Wales (a) April 1960 300th Derek Dougan v Scotland (h) Oct 1965 350th Tommy Cassidy v Scotland (a) May 1974 400th Ian Stewart v West Germany (h) Nov 1982 450th Alan McDonald v Faroe Islands (h) Sep 1991 500th James Quinn v Belgium (h) Feb 1997 550th Warren Feeney v Azerbaijan (h) Sep 2005 600th Paddy McCourt v Faroe Islands (h) Aug 2011

Manager Michael O’Neill has used a total of 21 players in 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW ƤZI ;SVPH Cup qualifying games to date. Four of those players have played every minute of the campaign. They are; skipper Steven Davis, the West Brom defensive duo of Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley and goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

Since losing 4-2 to Portugal in a World 'YT UYEPMƤIV MR &IPJEWX SR 7ITXIQFIV 2013 Northern Ireland have lost just one of their subsequent 12 internationals at the 2EXMSREP 7XEHMYQ Ʌ 2MRI SJ XLSWI KEQIW have ended in victory and two in draws, with the only defeat coming against Croatia in a friendly last November. Impressively Michael O’Neill’s charges have scored 23 goals, conceding just six.

The top Northern Ireland scorers in England and Scotland during 2016-17 were: 0MEQ &S]GI (Ross County) 24 in 40 games &MPP] /II (Accrington Stanley) 15 in 46 games 2MEPP 1G+MRR (Aberdeen) 13 in 50 games 7LE] 1G'EVXER (Accrington Stanley) 11 in 39 games

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The 47 goals Northern Ireland have scored during Michael O’Neill’s reign as boss have been spread among no fewer than 16 players. Leading the way is, of course, Kyle Lafferty with a very healthy 12 goals. The full list is: Kyle Lafferty 12 in 30 games Gareth McAuley 7 in 36 Steven Davis 5 in 42 Jamie Ward 4 in 29 Niall McGinn 3 in 34 Martin Paterson 3 in 10 Conor Washington 3 in 10 Craig Cathcart 2 in 24 David Healy 1 in 4 Dean Shiels 1 in 5 Will Grigg 1 in 10 Stuart Dallas 1 in 19 Chris Brunt 1 in 21 Conor McLaughlin 1 in 23 Josh Magennis 1 in 24 Shane Ferguson 1 in 29

Northern Ireland have only previously played one game on home soil on 2 June which was back in 2001 when Bulgaria were the visitors to Belfast for a World Cup qualifying game. Unfortunately they

left Windsor Park with a 1-0 victory thanks to a second half goal from Georgi Ivanov.

Kyle Lafferty became the 27th substitute to come on and score in an international match for Northern Ireland when he found the net twice in the 4-0 victory over San Marino at the National Stadium last October. He [EW LS[IZIV XLI ƤVWX ever substitute to score twice in the same match.

Thirteen of Kyle Lafferty’s 20 international goals for his country have been scored at Windsor Park, with 10 of them notched in front of the GAWA seated at the Kop/ West end of the stadium. Perhaps surprisingly only one has been a header, which came in the 2-1 Euro 2016 success over Finland in March 2015.

Skipper Steven Davis has played in 42 of Michael O’Neill’s 45 games in charge of Northern Ireland, more than any other player. The Southampton QMHƤIPHIV LEW WXEVXIH SJ XLSWI QEXGLIW ERH has come on as a substitute twice. In total he LEW TPE]IH QMRYXIW ERH WGSVIH ƤZI KSEPW four of them at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

Striker Liam Boyce scored more domestic goals than any other Northern Ireland player in England and Scotland during 2016-17. His tally of 23 in the Scottish Premiership (24 in all competitions) made him the league’s leading scorer, two ahead of Celtic’s Scott Sinclair.

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UNDISPUTED KING OF TRAINERS GET THE JD APP NOW

There are some things which still, despite my grey hair and ancientness, bring a tear to my eye and make the hairs rise on the back of my neck and goosebumps appear on my arms. THESE ARE THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Time to celebrate… Jonny Evans is congratulated by team-mates (EZMH ,IEP] ERH +EVIXL 1G%YPI] EJXIV ƤRHMRK XLI RIX EKEMRWX 4SPERH MR E ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIV MR &IPJEWX MR 1EVGL

What does all that have to do with Northern Ireland MRXIVREXMSREP JSSXFEPP - LIEV ]SY EWO ;IPP JSV QI EQSRK EPP XLEX FIEYX] ERH XVERUYMPMX] VIWXMRK WSQI[LIVI RIEV XLI GLESXMG ƤVWX WXITW SJ a new born lamb and the thumping rock intro to &VYGI 7TVMRKWXIIRŭW &SVR 8S 6YR WMXW 2SVXLIVR Ireland international goals. %RH -ŭQ XEPOMRK EFSYX KSEPW SJ EPP LYIW [IPP [SVOIH SRIW HIƥIGXMSRW XET MRW JVSQ WM\ MRGLIW VMGSGLIXW SJJ WSQISRIŭW WLMR S[R KSEPW [LEXIZIV [E] XLI] GSQI JVSQ MRWMHI XLI FS\ ERH SYX WIX TMIGIW ERH STIR TPE] =SY REQI MX -ŭPP XEOI MX ERH GIPIFVEXI wildly.

You know the sort of thing… a dramatic and TMGXYVIWUYI WYRWIX SR XLI 2SVXL %RXVMQ GSEWX the smell of the roast turkey on its removal from XLI SZIR XLI LEYRXMRK VIWSRERGI SJ XLI GIPPS MR 4EGLIPFIPŭW GERSR 3V XLI JVIWLRIWW SJ XLI WTVMRKŭW RI[ KVS[XL MR XLI LIHKIVS[W XLI GPEVMX] ERH TYVMX] SJ XLI ZSMGIW SJ /MVM 8I /ERE[E ERH ,E]PI] ;IWXIRVE )H XLEXŭW IRSYKL 2I[ >IEPERH WMRKIVW TPIEWI XLI QIPERGLSPMG W[IIXRIWW SJ %VX +EVJYROIPŭW ZSMGI SR Bridge Over Troubled Water. %W ]SY KIX SPHIV ]SY ETTVIGMEXI XLIWI XLMRKW QSVI I think. There might be less rushing around and a PMXXPI QSVI XMQI XS IRNS] XLI [SVPHŭW HMZIVWMX] ERH wonderfulness.

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ƥS[ [I EVI ORS[R XS LEZI XLI SHH HMWEKVIIQIRX ;I EVI GSVVIGX SJ GSYVWI XS EVKYI SYV GSVRIV ERH are entitled to hold the views we do. There are just a few exceptions to the rule. When [I LEZI HMWGYWWMSRW [MXL 1EP (SREKL] UYMIX ERH YREWWYQMRK EW LI QE] FI MX MW LEVH XS GSRXVEHMGX E QER [MXL GETW ERH XLI I\IQTPEV] VIGSVH LI LEH for our wee country. The other exception is perhaps more dramatic. In GSRZIVWEXMSRW [MXL -ER 7XI[EVX MX MW HMJƤGYPX RSX XS remember that only one person in the debate has WGSVIH XLI [MRRIV EKEMRWX +IVQER] ERH HIWTMXI XLI FIWX IJJSVXW MR Q] HVIEQW MX [EW RSX WEH XS WE] myself. So back to the enjoyment and appreciation of FIEYX] 0IXŭW LSTI XLEX [I GER LEZI WSQI XSRMKLX With all due respect to our friends from the other WMHI SJ XLI [SVPH MXŭW E KVIIR WLMVXIH WGSVIV XLEX [MPP QEOI QI [ERX XS WMRK ERH HERGI XSRMKLX RSX /MVMŭW QIPPMƥYSYW XSRIW ERH PSRK QE] MX VIQEMR WS Words: William Campbell

There can be few more beautiful things than the FEPP MR XLI FEGO SJ XLI STTSRIRXWŭ RIX ERH ]SYV heroes whirling away to jump on top of each other. %RH JSV QI E WYJJIVIV SJ E PSRK MRXIVREXMSREP HVSYKLX XLVSYKL XLI IEVP] ]IEVW SJ XLMW GIRXYV] ER] KSEP [MRRIV IUYEPMWIV SV GSRWSPEXMSR MW E XLMRK SJ great beauty and a thing to bring tears to the most hard-hearted. %QSRK XLI [SVPHŭW QSWX TVIGMSYW XLMRKW MW XLI JIIPMRK SJ IPEXMSR [LIR /]PI SV .SWL SV 2MEPP FYX TVSFEFP] ERH QSWX PMOIP] +EVIXL SV [LSIZIV TYXW XLI FEPP MRXS XLI VMZEPŭW RIX -X YWIH XS FI WS WMQTPI 8LI &S] (EZMH MR LMW LI]HE] just needed to turn up and we knew goals were on the menu. We have been spoiled in our recent past with goals nearly always coming at the National Stadium EW [I XVEZIVWIH XLI LIMKLXW ƤVWXP] SJ )YVS ƤREPW UYEPMƤGEXMSR ERH PEXXIVP] EW [I XV] XS QERYJEGXYVI second place to the world champions and play-off UYEPMƤGEXMSR SR XLI [E] XS 6YWWME ERH XLI ;SVPH Cup next summer. 7SQIXMQIW MR XLI -*% EW [I HMWGYWW QEXXIVW SJ huge importance and the conversations ebb and

Another beauty… Stuart Dallas scores for Northern Ireland in an international friendly against Qatar in May 2015 at Gresty Road, home of Crewe Alexandra.

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The new name in Northern Ireland business telecoms is Onecom.

MOBILE FIXED LINE BROADBAND CLOUD

onecom.co.uk 02890 02 00 30

Official communications partner of the Irish FA

TotalCommunicationsPartnerof theYear

gold solutions partner

NEW ZEALAND THE COACH At 36 years and 98 days old, Anthony Hudson [MPP FI XLI ]SYRKIWX GSEGL MRɅ'SRJIHIVEXMSRW Cup history when he leads out the All Whites for the opening match against Russia at the 2017 tournament later this month 8LI WSR SJ JSVQIV )RKPERH 'LIPWIE 7XSOI 'MX] ERH %VWIREP QMHƤIPHIV %PER ,YHWSR LMW GEVIIV MR JSSXFEPP LEW WIIR LMQ QSZI FIX[IIR JSYV GSRXMRIRXW )YVSTI 2SVXL %QIVMGE %WME ERH 3GIERME %W E XIIREKIV LI TPE]IH MR QMHƤIPH JSV XLI ]SYXL XIEQ EX ;IWX ,EQ 9RMXIH ERH LI LEH E WTIPP EX Luton Town. -R LI NSMRIH 2)' 2MNQIKIR MR XLI 2IXLIVPERHW FYX EJXIV WM\ QSRXLW LI QSZIH XS XLI 97% XS TPE] lower league soccer. ,S[IZIV MX MW EW E GSEGL XLEX 8SR] LEW QEHI LMW mark on the world game. Appointed head coach of 6IEP 1EV]PERH 1SREVGLW MR 3GXSFIV EX LI was the youngest professional head coach in the 97% EX XLEX XMQI %JXIV X[S WIEWSRW MR XLI 7XEXIW LI VIXYVRIH XS XLI 9/ to coach Tottenham Hotspur Reserves. -R %TVMP LI [EW ETTSMRXIH QEREKIV SJ Conference Premier club Newport County and WXIIVIH XLIQ XS RMRXL MR XLI XEFPI ,S[IZIV MR 7ITXIQFIV EJXIV 2I[TSVX [SR NYWX SRI SJ XLIMV ƤVWX HS^IR KEQIW ɄLIɄPIJX XLI GPYF -R 1EVGL LI [EW ETTSMRXIH GSEGL SJɄ&ELVEMRŭW YRHIV 3P]QTMGW XIEQ F] JSVQIV )RKPERH QEREKIV 4IXIV 8E]PSV XLIR GSEGL SJ XLI &ELVEMR WIRMSV XIEQ &ELVEMR VIEGLIH XLI ƤREP SJ XLI 9 +YPJ 'YT PSWMRK XS 7EYHM %VEFME He then worked under Argentinian coach Gabriel 'EPHIVSR EJXIV 8E]PSVŭW WEGOMRKɄFYX [EW WEGOIH LMQWIPJ MR 3GXSFIV -R XLI WIEWSR ,YHWSR WXYHMIH [MXL 6IEP Madrid and Jose Mourinho and later with Marcelo &MIPWE EX %XLPIXMG &MPFES -R %YKYWX LI [EW appointed manager of the Bahrain national team and LIPTIH XLIQ UYEPMJ] JSV XLI %WMER 'YT Ʉ -R .YP] LI VIWMKRIH EW QEREKIV SJ &ELVEMR ERH [EW ETTSMRXIHɄREXMSREP GSEGL SJ 2I[ >IEPERH XLI

JSPPS[MRK QSRXL XEOMRK GLEVKI SJ XLI WIRMSV XIEQ ERH XLI GSYRXV]ŭW SXLIV QIRŭW VITVIWIRXEXMZI XIEQW ,YHWSR W ƤVWX KEQI MR GLEVKI SJ XLI WIRMSV XIEQ [EW E HIJIEX E[E] XS 9^FIOMWXER MR 7ITXIQFIV The following year he began to show his prowess [LIR 2I[ >IEPERH EGLMIZIH E [MR SZIV 3QER VEROIH TPEGIW LMKLIV EX RH MR XLI *-*% rankings. 9RHIV LMQ 2I[ >IEPERH 9 W [SR EPP XLVIIɄTSSP KEQIW ERH XLI WIQM ƤREP [MXLSYX GSRGIHMRK E KSEP MR XLIMV 3GIERME 3P]QTMG UYEPMƤIVW EX XLI 4EGMƤG +EQIW MR .YP] FYX XLI] [IVI HMWUYEPMƤIH JSV ƤIPHMRK ER MRIPMKMFPI TPE]IV (IWTMXI E PEGO SJ [EVQ YT QEXGLIW XLI %PP ;LMXIW won the Oceanic Confederation Nations Cup in June 8LI /M[MW [SR JSYV QEXGLIW SR XLIMV [E] XS XLI ƤREP [LIVI XLI] WIGYVIH XLI XVSTL] EJXIV [MRRMRK a penalty shootout against Papua New Guinea. 2I[ >IEPERH FIGEQI XLI QSWX WYGGIWWJYP XIEQ MR XLI GSQTIXMXMSR W LMWXSV] LEZMRK [SR XLI XSYVREQIRX ƤZI XMQIW ERH UYEPMƤIH JSV XLI forthcoming Confederations Cup in Russia. 0EWX 7ITXIQFIV ,YHWSR ETTSMRXIH JSVQIV ,YPP 'MX] 'V]WXEP 4EPEGI 0IMGIWXIV 'MX] )RKPERH 9RHIV ERH WXERH MR )RKPERH QEREKIV 4IXIV 8E]PSV EW EWWMWXERX coach with special responsibility for the New >IEPERH TPE]IVW FEWIH MR XLI 9/ -R 3GXSFIV EJXIV X[S E[E] KEQIW EKEMRWX 1I\MGS PSWX ERH 97% JSVQIV %PP ;LMXIW captain Ryan Nelsen said the team had gone up a level under Hudson and he had "never seen New >IEPERH XIEQW TPE] XLMW [E] -R 1EVGL ,YHWSR KYMHIH XLI /M[MW XS XST WTSX in Group A of the third stage of Oceania World Cup UYEPMƤIVW Words: Roy Kitson

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NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS TOWATCH

Words: Roy Kitson

THE KEEPER 8LI JX MRW OIITIV NSMRIHɄ&EZEVMER 0IEKYI GPYF 9RXIVLEGLMRK MR XLI WYQQIV SJ JVSQ 1YRMGL [LIVI LI TPE]IH JSV XLI VIWIVZI XIEQ XLI TVIZMSYW WIEWSR ,EH TVIZMSYWP] FIIR [MXL XLMVH PIZIP ;ILIR ;MIWFEHIR NSMRMRK XLIQ MR XLI WYQQIV SJ -R 1EVMRSZMG XVEZIPPIH [MXL XLI 2I[ >IEPERH YRHIV WMHI XS XLI 9 ;SVPH 'YT MR Colombia where he made two appearances. ,I [EW GEPPIH MRXS XLI 2I[ >IEPERH WIRMSV XIEQ MR 1EVGL F] GSEGL %RXLSR] Hudson to play a friendly against South Korea. And he made his debut in the match in 7ISYP TPE]MRK XLI JYPP QMRYXIW ,I WEZIH E TIREPX] OMGO FIJSVI GSRGIHMRK XLI SRP] goal of the game. -R .YRI 1EVMRSZMG WEZIH X[S TIREPXMIW MR E WLSSXSYX [MR EKEMRWX 4ETYE 2I[ +YMRIE MR XLI 3*' 2EXMSRW 'YT ƤREP JSPPS[MRK E HVE[ EJXIV I\XVE XMQI 4PE]IH MR XLI LSQI ERH E[E] [MRW EKEMRWX *MNM MR XLI 6SYRH KEQIW MR XLI 3GIERME ;' UYEPMƤIVW 2> LEZI TVSKVIWWIH XS ER 3GIERME TPE] SJJ ERH MJ XLI] [MR XLEX XLI] [MPP TPE] EKEMRWX E 7SYXL %QIVMGER XIEQ MR E TPE] SJJ JSV E TPEGI EX 6YWWME A KEY DEFENDER &SVR MR )RKPERH 7QMXL WTIRX WIZIVEPɄ]IEVWɄEW E ]SYXL MR 2I[ >IEPERH ERH XLYW LEW HYEP REXMSREPMX] %RH LI VITVIWIRXIH )RKPERH EX ]SYXL PIZIP FIJSVI HIGPEVMRK JSV XLI /M[MW 8LI JX MRW HIJIRHIV FIKER LMW GEVIIV EX -TW[MGL 8S[R WMKRMRK E TVSJIWWMSREP GSRXVEGX EX XLI EKI SJ ,I TPE]IH SR PSER JSV 7XIZIREKI &SVSYKL &VIRXJSVHɄ ERH 'SPGLIWXIV 9RMXIH FIJSVI VIXYVRMRK XS XLI 8VEGXSV &S]W MR 1EVGL ɄɄɄ ɄɄɄ 7MRGI %YKYWX LI LEW FIIR E VIKYPEV EX XLI 4SVXQER 6SEH GPYF QEOMRK SZIV MR E JVMIRHP] HIJIEX XS 1I\MGS 1EHI LMW ƤVWX ;SVPH 'YT *MREPW ETTIEVERGI MR 2I[ >IEPERH W STIRMRK KEQI MR 7SYXL %JVMGE E ũ HVE[ EKEMRWX 7PSZEOME ERH XLIR TPE]IH IZIV] QMRYXI SJ 2I[ >IEPERH W X[S SXLIV KVSYT KEQIW EX ;' -R .YRI LI WGSVIH LMW ƤVWX KSEP JSVɄ2I[ >IEPERH MR E [MR SZIVɄ*MNM MR E ;' UYEPMƤIV ,I [EW EPWS E QIQFIV SJ 2I[ >IEPERHŭW 3P]QTMGW JSSXFEPP XIEQ 4PE]IH EW E WYF MR XLI ;' UYEPMƤIV E[E] XS *MNM MR 1EVGL ERH TPE]IH XLI JYPP MR the return game. THE KIWI MESSI 6SNEW MW E [MRKIV EXXEGOMRK QMHƤIPHIV [LSWI XIGLRMUYI ERH WYTIVF WOMPP SR XLI FEPP LEZI IEVRIH LMQ XLI RMGOREQI SJ XLIɄ/M[M 1IWWM ,I MW VMKLX JSSXIH FYX GER EPWS STIVEXI SR XLI PIJX ƥERO SV EW E WIGSRH WXVMOIV 4PE]W JSV 1IPFSYVRI :MGXSV] VINSMRMRK XLI %YWXVEPMER % 0IEKYI XIEQ PEWX %YKYWX EJXIV XLVII ]IEVW in Germany with VfB Stuttgart where a foot injury hindered his progress and saw him WTIRH QSWX SJ LMW XMQI [MXL XLI VIWIVZI XIEQ SV SR PSER MRGPYHMRK QSRXLW [MXL *' 8LYR MR 7[MX^IVPERH 1EHI LMW WIRMSV MRXIVREXMSREP HIFYX EW E WYF MR E HVE[ [MXL 'LMRE MR 1EVGL FIJSVI LI LEH TPE]IHɄJSV ER]ɄNYRMSV 2> WMHIW ;SR LMW WIGSRH WIRMSV GET EKEMRWX %YWXVEPME MR 1E] HIJIEX [LIR LI GEQI SR EW E WIGSRH LEPJ WYF 4PE]IH MR XLI 3GIERME 9 'LEQTMSRWLMT MR %TVMP TPE]MRKɄMR EPP JSYV QEXGLIW EW XLI .YRMSV %PP ;LMXIW [SR XLI XSYVREQIRX XS WIGYVI UYEPMƤGEXMSR XS XLI 9 ;SVPH 'YT [LIVI LI PEMH SR XLI STIRMRK KSEP MR XLI KEQI EKEMRWX 9VYKYE] 7GSVIH LMW ƤJXL MRXIVREXMSREP KSEP NYWX SZIV X[S QSRXLW EKS E[E] EKEMRWXɄ*MNM XS GPMRGL E ZMGXSV] MR E ;' UYEPMƤIV ETTIEVERGIW ERH WGSVMRKɄ KSEPW 1EHI LMW MRXIVREXMSREP HIFYX MR 1EVGL

STEFAN MARINOVIC GOALKEEPER Age Caps Goals Club 9RXIVLEGLMRKɄ +)6

TOMMY SMITH DEFENDER

Age Caps Goals Club Ipswich Town

MARCO ROJAS MIDFIELDER

Age Caps Goals 5 Club Melbourne Victory

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MIDFIELD SCHEMER % UYMGO FYW] TPE]IV [MXL WYTIVF XIGLRMGEP EFMPMX] XLI JX MRW [MRKIV TPE]W QEMRP] SR XLI PIJX JSV LMW GPYF FYX GER EPWS STIVEXI SR XLI VMKLX ;MXL 2I[ >IEPERH LI MW QEMRP] YWIH MR E GIRXVEP EXXEGOMRK QMHƤIPH VSPI 8LI LMKLP] VEXIH 8LSQEW NSMRIH (YXGL )VIHMZMWMI GPYF 4)' >[SPPI MR %YKYWX JSPPS[MRK E XVMEP ,I WSSR FIGEQI E VIKYPEV GLSMGI ERH LEW WGSVIH WIZIR KSEPW MR PIEKYI QEXGLIW JSV >[SPPI 7XEVVIH MR XLI (YXGL 'YT ƤREP ,I WGSVIH XLI ƤVWX ERH WIGSRH KSEPW JSV >[SPPI MR E LMWXSVMG [MR EKEMRWX %NE\ %QWXIVHEQ ,EH E KSSH WIGSRH WIEWSR WGSVMRK XLVII KSEPW ;EW PSSOMRK XS JYVXLIV MQTVIWW PEWX season but suffered an injury during a match against Ajax and missed much of the campaign. 8LSQEW TPE]IH E OI] VSPI [LIR XLI /M[MW IEVRIH E TPEGI MR XLI ;' 3GIERME TPE] SJJ XS FI WXEKIH XLMW EYXYQR ,I RSXGLIH FSXL KSEPW MR 2>ŭW WIGSRH QEXGL EKEMRWX *MNM back in March. ,I QEHI LMW MRXIVREXMSREP HIFYX MR E JVMIRHP] HIJIEX XS .ETER MR 8SO]S MR 1EVGL :SXIH 3GIERME *SSXFEPPIV SJ XLI =IEV MR JSV e QMPPMSR ,I WGSVIH KSEPW MR LMW ƤVWX WIEWSR ERH XLMW WIEWSR LI RSXGLIH YT league goals and was named in the Championship team of the season. 1EHI LMW MRXIVREXMSREP HIFYX EKEMRWX 8ER^ERME MR .YRI MR E [EVQ YT QEXGL JSV XLI 'SRJIHIVEXMSRW 'YT %X ;SSH [EW XLI ]SYRKIWX QIQFIV SJ XLI 2> WUYEH [LMGL XVEZIPPIH XS XLI ;SVPH 'YT *MREPW MR 7SYXL %JVMGE MR .YRI ,I GEQI SR EW E WYFWXMXYXI MR EPP XLVII KVSYT KEQIW XLI HVE[ EKEMRWX 7PSZEOME XLI JEQSYW HVE[ EKEMRWX -XEP] ERH XLI ũ draw against Paraguay. Ŭ;SSHW]ŭ WGSVIH LMW ƤVWX SJƤGMEP MRXIVREXMSREP KSEP MR 3GXSFIV MR E HVE[ [MXL Honduras. ,I [EW EPWS E QIQFIV SJ XLI 2> 3P]QTMGW JSSXFEPP WUYEH WGSVMRK MR E HVE[ EKEMRWX )K]TX 4PE]IH MR XLI ;' UYEPMƤIV E[E] EKEMRWX *MNM MR 1EVGL WGSVMRK MR XLI ƤVWX PIK JVSQ the penalty spot. He missed the return in Wellington with a back injury. A key man for GPYF ERH GSYRXV] LI [MPP GETXEMR XLI /M[MW XLMW IZIRMRK MR XLI EFWIRGI SJ ;IWX ,EQ 9RMXIH HIJIRHIV ;MRWXSR 6IMH [LS QMWWIW XLI KEQI HYI XS E ORII MRNYV] STAR STRIKER %ɄXST GPEWW ƤRMWLIV XLI JX MRW WXVMOIV NSMRIH 0IIHW JVSQ 0IMGIWXIV 'MX] MR .YP] VETERAN FRONTMAN 8LI JX MRW WXVMOIV QE] FI XLI SPHIWX TPE]IV MR XLI %PP ;LMXIW WUYEH FYX LI LEW TVSZIH XS be a vital cog in the present team with his know-how and skill. 7QIPX^ MW [MHIP] XVEZIPPIH &SVR MR +IVQER] LMW TEVIRXW QSZIH XS 2I[ >IEPERH [LIR LI [EW WM\ QSRXLW SPH ;LIR LI [EW EKIH WM\ LMW JEQMP] QSZIHɄXS %YWXVEPME ERH LI PEXIV FIGEQI E HYEP %YWXVEPMER ERH 2I[ >IEPERH GMXM^IR 4PE]IH JSV ZEVMSYW %YWXVEPMER GPYFW FIJSVI QSZMRK XS )RKPERH [LIVI LI TPE]IH JSV 1ERWƤIPH 8S[R %*' ;MQFPIHSR ERH ,EPMJE\ 8S[R %JXIV XLEX LI VIXYVRIH (S[R 9RHIV [LIVI LI LEH X[S WYGGIWWJYP WIEWSRW [MXL Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A League. He was voted Oceania Footballer of the =IEV MR ERH 8LIVI JSPPS[IH WTIPPW [MXL +SPH 'SEWX 9RMXIH MR %YWXVEPME 7LERHSRK 0YRIRK MR 'LMRE +IRɭPIVFMVPMʟM 8YVOI] 4IVXL +PSV] ERH 7]HRI] *' MR %YWXVEPME /IHEL 1EPE]WME Wellington Phoenix before he joined Borneo FC in Indonesia last month. 7GSVIH LMW ƤVWX MRXIVREXMSREP KSEP MR ER E[E] JVMIRHP] MR %TVMP EKEMRWX 'LMPI ,I [EW E QIQFIV SJ XLI 2> WUYEH MR 7SYXL %JVMGE JSV FSXL XLI 'SRJIHIVEXMSRW 'YT ERH ;SVPH 'YT MR [LMGL LI WGSVIH EKEMRWX ;SVPH 'YT [MRRIVW -XEP] %PWS TPE]IH JSV 2I[ >IEPERH MR XLI 0SRHSR 3P]QTMGW

RYAN THOMAS MIDFIELDER

Age Caps Goals Club 4)' >[SPPIɄ 2)(

CHRIS WOOD FORWARD

Age Caps Goals Club 0IIHW 9RMXIH

SHANE SMELTZ FORWARD

Caps Goals Club Borneo FC -RHSRIWME

Age 35

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NEW ZEALAND FACTFILE

Association football has traditionally been the poor relation of rugby in New Zealand.

ERH GPYF XIEQW JVSQ )YVSTI 8LI] [IVI JSYRHIV QIQFIVW SJ XLI 3GIERME *IHIVEXMSR MR ERH IRXIVIH XLI ;SVPH 'YT [LIVI XLI] PSWX EX XLI ƤVWX LYVHPI XS -WVEIP SR EKKVIKEXI *VYWXVEXMSR JSPPS[IH YRXMP [LIR XLI %PP ;LMXIW UYEPMƤIH JSV XLI ;SVPH 'YT *MREPW MR 7TEMR [MXL E

8LI %PP ;LMXIW EW XLI] EVI ORS[R LEZI WXVYKKPIH for space on the sports pages when up against VYKF] ERH GVMGOIX ERH EPWS JSV GVS[HW EX international matches compared to the famous All Blacks rugby union superstars. ,S[IZIV JSSXFEPP MR 2I[ >IEPERH GER FSEWX E TVSYH XVEHMXMSR 8LI SPHIWX GPYF MR XLI 2> *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR 2SVXL 7LSVI 9RMXIH JVSQ %YGOPERH GER XVEGI XLIMV VSSXW FEGO XS 8LIVI [IVI representative matches between the major towns ERH GMXMIW MR XLI PEXI XL GIRXYV] [LMPI XLI ƤVWX SJƤGMEP GSQTIXMXMSR FIKER MR 1MRH ]SY MX [EW VIEPP] SRP] MR XLI IEVP] W XLEX XLI KEQI FIKER XS QEOI QENSV WXVMHIW ERH MR XLI ƤVWX REXMSREP PIEKYI [EW JSVQIH 2S[EHE]W XLIVI MW E 4VIQMIVWLMT [MXL GPYFW 8LI GLEQTMSRW JSV WIEWSR [IVI %YGOPERH 'MX] [LS [SR XLI XMXPI JSV XLI JSYVXL WIEWSR MR succession. 7MRGI XLIMV JSYRHEXMSR MR %YGOPERH 'MX] LEZI [SR XLI 4VIQMIVWLMT IMKLX XMQIW [LMPI ;EMXEOIVI 9RMXIH LEZI [SR MX ƤZI XMQIW %RH SRI 2I[ >IEPERH GPYF Ʉ;IPPMRKXSR 4LSIRM\ currently play in the Australian A League. 0EWX .YRI 2I[ >IEPERH [SR XLI 3GIERME 'YT *MREPɄ JSV XLI JSYVXL XMQI EKEMRWX LSWXW 4ETYE 2I[ +YMRIE SR TIREPXMIW EJXIV E WGSVIPIWW QMRYXIW -X [EW E ZMGXSV] [LMGL UYEPMƤIH XLI %PP ;LMXIW JSV XLMW WYQQIVŭW 'SRJIHIVEXMSRW 'YT tournament in Russia where they will play the host REXMSR 1I\MGS ERH 4SVXYKEP Next summer the All Whites are hoping to return to Russia for the World Cup Finals but will have to navigate their way through a couple of play-off games later this year for that to become a reality. New Zealand and the World Cup -R 2I[ >IEPERH FIGEQI E QIQFIV SJ *-*% and began to play friendlies against Australia

play-off victory against China. 8LIMV STIRMRK KEQI EX )WTERE ŭ

[EW EKEMRWX

7GSXPERH 8LI] PSWX

[MXL 7XIZI 7YQRIV ERH

Steve Wooddin grabbing their goals. 2I\X YT [IVI 7SZMIX 9RMSR ERH XLI /M[MW PSWX 8LIMV PEWX KVSYT KEQI [EW EKEMRWX &VE^MP ERH XLI] [IVI FIEXIR 2I[ >IEPERH UYEPMƤIH JSV E ;SVPH 'YT *MREPW XSYVREQIRX JSV E WIGSRH XMQI ]IEVW PEXIV EJXIV defeating Bahrain in a play-off. 8LIMV EHZIRXYVI MR 7SYXL %JVMGE STIRIH [MXL E HVE[ EKEMRWX 7PSZEOME ũ ;MRWXSR 6IMH WGSVIH MR XLI VH QMRYXI But the highlight for the Kiwis came in their next game when reigning world champions Italy were the opponents. The game saw the All Whites take the lead XLVSYKL E 7LERI 7QIPX^ XET MR 8LI -XEPMERW XLIR FSQFEVHIH XLI 2I[ >IEPERH KSEP ERH IZIRXYEPP] IUYEPMWIH JVSQ XLI TIREPX] WTSX XLVSYKL :MGIR^S -EUYMRXE The Italians continued to pile forward but the Kiwis LIPH SYX [MXL HIJIRHIVW 6]ER 2IPWIR ERH ;MRWXSR 6IMH TVSHYGMRK QEKRMƤGIRX TIVJSVQERGIW MR particular. 8LIVI JSPPS[IH E HVE[ [MXL 4EVEKYE] ERH 2I[ >IEPERH ƤRMWLIH MR XLMVH TPEGI MR +VSYT * FILMRH 4EVEKYE] ƤZI TSMRXW ERH 7PSZEOME JSYV FYX ELIEH SJ -XEP] X[S 2I[ >IEPERH [IVI XLI SRP] XIEQ RSX to lose a match in the tournament. Words: Roy Kitson

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WE’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE WELL, SORT OF…

Northern Ireland have never met New Zealand at full international level before this evening. However, we have played the Kiwis in an international game in the past.

8LI PMRI YTW SR 3GXSFIV [IVI -VMWL *% <- 1G(SREPH 'VYWEHIVW 1G'VIIV] +PIRXSVER 'VSQMI %VHW ;EPWL +PIRXSVER 6EJJIVX] 0MRƤIPH 5YMRR )ZIVXSR 7PSER &EPP]QIRE 9RMXIH (SREKL] 0YXSR 8S[R 1G'YVH] 0MRƤIPH %VQWXVSRK +PIREZSR *IIRI] 0MRƤIPH 7YFW YWIH (EZI] +PIREZSR 'PIEV] 4SVXEHS[R 1G'YWOIV 'PMJXSRZMPPI 2I[ >IEPERH ;MPWSR 2I[QERŭW 2IPWSR 9RMXIH 7MFPI] 1SYRX ;IPPMRKXSR GETXEMR %PQSRH 8VERW 8SYVW 9RMXIH %HEQ &PEGOLSYWI &E] )PVMGO ,ERMQI\ 9RMXIH ' 8YVRIV 1ERYVI[E & 8YVRIV 1SYRX ;IPPMRKXSR 7YQRIV 8VERW 8SYVW 9RMXIH &VMKLX 1ERYVI[E :IV[IMN 8VERW 8SYVW 9RMXIH 2IPWSR 1SYRX ;IPPMRKXSR 7YFW YWIH 1G(IVQMH ,EQMPXSR 1EPGSPQWIR )EWXIVR 7YFYVFW 6YJIV 7XST 3YX *' Words: Nigel Tilson

&EGO MR 3GXSFIV ER -VMWL *% <- HIJIEXIH XLI JYPP 2I[ >IEPERH XIEQ MR E VITVIWIRXEXMZI match at the Oval in Belfast. It was effectively a Northern Ireland B team which XSSO XS XLI ƤIPH XLEX EYXYQR IZIRMRK %RH EQSRK XLIMV RYQFIV [EW 1EP (SREKL] [LS would go on to make his senior international debut XLI JSPPS[MRK ]IEV ERH EQEWW GETW JSV LMW country in a glittering career - and play at two World Cup Finals. Also included in the team that faced the touring /M[MW [IVI 8SQ 7PSER ERH ;EVVIR *IIRI] 7RV [LS LEH EPVIEH] FIIR GETTIH EX JYPP MRXIVREXMSREP PIZIP ERH JYXYVI 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH TPE]IVW .MQ 'PIEV] 'SPMR 1G'YVH] ERH 4IXIV 6EJJIVX] [LS [EW XLI captain. 0MRƤIPH WXVMOIV 1G'YVH] KVEFFIH SRI SJ XLI KSEPW MR XLI KEQI [LMGL [EW [EXGLIH F] WTIGXEXSVW 8LI SXLIV [EW RSXGLIH F] )ZIVXSR striker Brian Quinn.

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HUGHES INSURANCE IRISH FA SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMPS

FOR BOYS & GIRLS AGED 5-13 July & August 2017

F R E E A D I D A S B A L L

Online Price 1 Child : £38.00 2 Children* : £60.00 3 Children* : £80.00 4 Children* : £95.00 * from the same family

F O R E A C H C H I L D

Book online at: www.irishfa.com/footballcamps

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE MEN INWHITE

Cunningham Peacock believes we should not underestimate the team from the land of the long white cloud in the Southern Hemisphere…

The All Whites famously drew with Italy at the 2010 World Cup.

For the other team there is something very intimidating about the Haka. They have to adopt ER EKKVIWWMZI TSWXYVI XLIQWIPZIW SJXIR F] PMROMRK arms and trying to outstare the All Blacks. Coaches fear the Haka sows seeds of defeatism in their teams before games even start. %PXLSYKL XLI %PP ;LMXIW HS RSX TIVJSVQ MX XLI ,EOE MW E VIQMRHIV XLEX 2I[ >IEPERH MW E KVIEX WTSVXMRK nation with a large proportion of the population sport mad. Success in sport matters down under. Rugby rules supreme on the North and South Islands and the All Blacks often rule the world with the oval ball.

% JI[ ]IEVW EKS E XEPP 2I[ >IEPERHIV NSMRIH XLI teaching staff in our local school. He was a big hit [MXL XLI TYTMPW FIGEYWI LI [EW GVE^] EFSYX WTSVX and encouraged them to have a go at all kinds of games and outdoor activities. The kids especially loved him because he taught XLIQ XLI ,EOE XLEX 1ESVM [EV HERGI [LMGL XLI 2I[ >IEPERH VYKF] XIEQ XLI QMKLX] %PP &PEGOW perform before international games. It was one school lesson which the kids were OIIR XS VITIEX EX LSQI IRGSYVEKMRK QYQW HEHW grandparents and little sisters to join in performing the ritual.

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The All Blacks perform the Haka prior to kick-off in their game against the Ireland rugby team in Dublin last autumn

-R XLI] [IVI FEGO EKEMR ERH MR WX]PI 2I[ >IEPERH HITEVXIH JVSQ XLI ;SVPH 'YT *MREPW MR 7SYXL %JVMGE YRHIJIEXIH 8LI] HVI[ [MXL 7PSZEOME [MXL -XEP] ERH [MXL 4EVEKYE] &YX the real triumph was their position of third in the KVSYT FIGEYWI QMKLX] -XEP] ƤRMWLIH JSYVXL 1MGLEIP 3ŭ2IMPP MW YWMRK XLMW KEQI EW E [EVQ YT JSV XLI ZMXEP E[E] UYEPMƤIV MR %^IVFEMNER RI\X [IIO &YX the All Whites are also treating tonight as a warm- up for their Confederations Cup games in Russia EKEMRWX XLVII IPMXI XIEQW XLI LSWXW 1I\MGS ERH )YVSTIER GLEQTMSRW 4SVXYKEP 8LI 2I[ >IEPERHIVW GER SRP] MQTVSZI [LIR QM\MRK [MXL WYGL HMWXMRKYMWLIH GSQTER] %RH [LS ORS[W [LIR RI\X [I TPE] XLIQ MX GSYPH FI MR 6YWWME EX XLI ;SVPH 'YT *MREPW# 0MOI 2SVR -VSR XLI %PP ;LMXIW EVI MR [MXL E VIEP GLERGI SJ QEOMRK MX 8LIMV VIGIRX LSQI [MR SZIV *MNM ERSXLIV VYKF] TPE]MRK REXMSR QIERW XLEX they are well placed to be the Oceania Football 'SRJIHIVEXMSRŭW VITVIWIRXEXMZI MR 4YXMR XIVVMXSV] Ʉ Warm-up games can establish players and change the direction of teams. Last summer our home game with Slovenia saw Conor Washington emerge as an international striker. The game with &IPEVYW WE[ ;MPP +VMKK ƤRH XLI RIX JSV SYV [II GSYRXV] JSV XLI ƤVWX XMQI ERH [I EPP VIEPMWIH XLEX XLI irritating Will Grigg song was about to go viral. ;LEXIZIV LETTIRW MR XSRMKLXŭW QEXGL SRI XLMRK MW certain: both managers are looking for that magic ingredient which will make all the difference. It makes for an entertaining June evening. Bring on the All Whites!

8LIMV GVMGOIXIVW EVI YWIJYP XSS ERH EX XMQIW XIEGL E JI[ PIWWSRW [MXL FEX ERH FEPP XS XLI ŬFMK FS]Wŭ SJ %YWXVEPME )RKPERH 7SYXL %JVMGE -RHME ERH 4EOMWXER &YX EPSRKWMHI VYKF] ERH GVMGOIX JSSXFEPP MW XLI poor relation in the land of the long white cloud. ,EZMRK WEMH XLEX KMZIR XLIMV EXXMXYHI XS WTSVX ERH WTSVXMRK EGLMIZIQIRX STTSRIRXW SJ XLI 2I[ >IEPERH JSSXFEPP XIEQ ORS[R EW XLI %PP ;LMXIW underestimate them at their peril. All fans of Norn Iron over a certain age are inspired F] XLI WTMVMX SJ ŭ 8LIVI MW IZIR E WYTTSVXIVWŭ GPYF [MXL XLEX REQI 1IQSVMIW SJ XLI ;SVPH 'YT Finals in Spain mean a lot to us fans of the Green and White Army. 7SQI QE] RSX FI E[EVI SV VIQIQFIV XLEX SYV visitors tonight also played a part in the drama of XLSWI ƤREPW &EGO MR XLI %PP ;LMXIW EPWS UYEPMƤIH JSV XLI JSSXFEPP NEQFSVII ERH JEGIH &VE^MP 7SZMIX 9RMSR ERH 7GSXPERH MR +VSYT 7M\ EX XLI ƤREPW -X [EW XLIMV ƤVWX ETTIEVERGI EX E ;SVPH 'YT XSYVREQIRX 7GSXPERH TPE]IH )RKPERH MR XLIMV PEWX LSQI KEQI FIJSVI LIEHMRK XS 7TEMR 8LMW GPEWL SJ XLI XMXERW XLMW GSRJVSRXEXMSR SJ SPH IRIQMIW XLMW KEQI JYPP SJ XVEHMXMSR ERH LMWXSVMG TEWWMSR [EW JSV XLI 7GSXW just a warm-up for their opening group game EKEMRWX 2I[ >IEPERH That match in Malaga saw the Scots coast into a PIEH FIJSVI FIMRK TIKKIH FEGO [MXL KSEPW JVSQ 7XIZI 7YQRIV ERH 7XIZI ;SSHHMR XLIWI [IVI XLI ƤVWX KSEPW IZIV WGSVIH F] 2I[ >IEPERH MR XLI ;SVPH 'YT *MREPW 8LI 7GSXW IRHIH YT [MRRMRK FYX XLI All Whites had made their mark.

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