Northern Ireland v USA

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

On behalf of the Irish Football Association it gives me great pleasure to welcome the players and officials of the United States of America to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast for this evening’s international friendly.

Although we have played friendlies in the United States on a few occasions, most recently in 2010 when Nigel Worthington’s team lost 2-0 to Turkey in Connecticut, this challenge match marks the first time that our two countries have played each other at senior international level. The USA squad looks strong and I am sure Gregg Belhalter’s teamwill want to build on their fine 4-1 victory over Jamaica in a friendly match staged in Austria on Thursday night. Northern Ireland come into the match having played Italy in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier in Parma on Thursday. The 2-0 defeat to the Italians in European Qualifying Group C was not unexpected given their impressive record of having never lost a home World Cup qualifier. Italy were simply too strong and fast for us in the first half in particular, however we rallied well after the interval and could have scored a couple of goals. The second half performance gives us a good platform for the remaining qualifiers. Our manager, Ian Baraclough, is expected to rest some players against USA, given that we have another game on Wednesday, however I am sure he will put out a competitive team today. I have no doubt the match will provide some members of our squad who ordinarily do not get much game time to step up and show what they can do. Due to ongoing Covid restrictions there will not be any fans in the stadium for the match and that’s a great shame, especially as both sets of supporters are known for being colourful and exuberant. Some razzmatazz would have been most welcome.

However, we are mindful that Covid is still very much with us and we must remain vigilant in the battle to stop its spread. Nevertheless playing in an empty stadium, as we are doing today, continues to be a strange experience and everyone at the association looks forward to supporters being permitted to return in large numbers some time soon. I am sure many of our supporters will not only be watching the game on television but availing of the opportunity to peruse this souvenir match programme issued online but also with a limited edition in print form. I hope it is an exciting game of football and that our American visitors have a safe journey home. I also hope it’s an entertaining encounter when Northern Ireland play their second World Cup 2022 qualifier against Bulgaria at the National Football Stadium on Wednesday. Finally, congratulations to Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis on equalling former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton's British international caps record of 125 with his appearance against the Italians on Thursday night. It’s a remarkable and richly deserved milestone for Steven, who has been a great servant to Northern Ireland. Let’s hope he breaks the record with an appearance against USA today. David J Martin President Irish Football Association

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