World Cup Qualifying: Northern Ireland Come Within 11 Mins Of Shocking Portugal, Still Get A Fabulous Draw (Highlights)

Alan Duffy

16th, October 2012

8 Comments

By Alan Duffy

Norn Iron fans haven’t had much to cheer about in recent years, with a constant stream of young talent heading south  to represent the Republic and results not getting any better. However, faced with a bloody difficult away tie against the mighty Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo and all, the Irish almost secured an incredible win.

Aberdeen’s Niall McGinn was the goal-hero for Michael O’Neill’s men, netting on the half-hour mark, courtesy of a fine chip. And while the home side dominated for the vast majority of the game, the visitors were resolute in their defending. Up until the 79th minute that is, when veteran striker Helder Postiga, a player who never looks good enough to be on the same pitch as the likes of Ronaldo, fired home to save Portugal’s blushes.

Still, a fantastic result for the North and one which will hopefully kickstart their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Here’s some highlights…

Photo: PA

Posted in International football, Videos, World Cup

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8 Comments

  1. RULAS says:

    I like this team a lot… i hope they keep doing a good job…

  2. Jarren says:

    What a goal! This brings back a certain familiar feeling, happy for me but maybe not for Spaniards, English and now Portuguese…

    Now come on lads, buck up yer ideas and give Azerbaijan a good hidin’ so we can have a chance for 2014.

    It’s time we stopped embarrassing ourselves against the minnows, even if to the outside world we’re one ourselves.

    Proud to be from Belfast tonight :)

  3. Dusty says:

    McGinn’s goal cheered by the same animals who sent him bullets in the post because he played for Celtic.

    Irrelevant football team and an illegitimate state.

  4. Jayy! says:

    “The North”? Seriously?

  5. Jarren says:

    @Dusty: Don’t be a troll all your life, mate.

  6. Alan Duffy says:

    @Jayy! – Im from the Republic of Ireland where we call Northern ireland ‘the North’ – it’s a non-political term. What’s your problem with it?

  7. I wouldn’t get too carried away, this is the same Portugal side that laboured to a 2-1 victory over Luxembourg last month. I have no idea how they managed to get to the Euro 2012 semi finals.

  8. Jarren says:

    Exactly, Alan. It really winds me up when people start bickering over this issue.

    Especially when most of the voices are from outside of our island.

    That is, the voices who are most vocal usually have not even set foot on our green & pleasant (and admittedly divided) land.

    I am proud to be from Northern Ireland, but I am also happy to cheer on the Republic team.

    And to clarify to Dusty, not everyone who supports Northern Ireland is a loyalist thug.

    To suggest as much (which is exactly why I took offence at your comment) makes me incessant with anger.

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