Thursday 2 June – Nations League C, Group 2 Windsor Park, Belfast
The Nations League campaign began with something of a Greek tragedy for Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland side with a 0-1 loss against the Euro 2004 winners.
From a Rangers perspective, Steven Davis would have approached this game in a buoyant mood, having sealed his short-term club future just days earlier. Now at the grand total of 135 caps, he is still going strong on the international stage. At the other end of the scale, Charlie McCann enjoyed a call up to the senior squad, building on a positive end to the domestic season, following on from appearances against Dundee United and Hearts. That first team exposure and now further experience around the likes of Jonny Evans and Paddy McNair will only serve him well, as well as the additional learning and mentoring from Davis, in the NI camp.
In the first game of a new campaign, it was a mix of the old and new for Baraclough in terms of personnel on the pitch. With 10 players out, including up to five regulars, the existing limited resources were stretched meaning a debut for Paddy Lane and starts for the likes of Conor Bradley, Shayne Lavery and Gavin Whyte.
A 5-3-2 system was deployed, but it was sorely lacking in attacking threat with a clear system of play also missing.
Before the game, the manager insisted that in time the benefits of blooding various young players will emerge, but did concede that results would determine if he will be around to witness that potential impact. After another defeat, it is now just one home win in 11 for the 51-year old. Overall, it’s six wins and five draws across 23 fixtures – only three victories in competitive games paints the picture.
The drop to ‘League C’ in this format should be a blessing in disguise for NI, with the other Group 2 opposition consisting of Cyprus and Kosovo. A very realistic path to a Euro 2024 playoff lies ahead but already the team have work to do before another chance slips away. Whilst it’s important not to panic, the next game is vital.
In the other Group 2 fixture earlier on Thursday, Kosovo recorded a 0-2 win in Cyprus.
The evergreen Steven Davis, 37, led NI in his usual diligent, efficient way, fresh from a new 12 month deal at Ibrox. Over 17 years after making his debut in 2005 against Canada under Lawrie Sanchez, the man from Cullybackey still sets the tone.
On paper, Gus Poyet’s Greece team contained no superstars but it was one that included Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas as well as recent league winners in Bakasetas, Siopis, Bouchalakis and Giakoumakis with Trabzonspor (2), Olympiacos and Celtic, respectively.
Throughout the first half, there was more than a hint of an end of season feel to the game, with a slow, insipid encounter badly lacking a spark. On 16 minutes, a shout of “Stand Up for the Ulstermen ” came from the Kop but this wasn’t a night that induced a raucous atmosphere, far from it.
A notable intra-Liverpool clash happened on 20 minutes, when Conor Bradley clattered into his Anfield club mate Tsimikas. The FA cup hero at Wembley was less than impressed but didn’t make too much fuss with Bradley fortunate to escape a yellow card.
Just over five minutes from the HT break, the deadlock was broken. Paddy Lane was deposed when he committed to the ball and Greece opened up their right flank. A ball was squared by Limnios and drilled home by Bakasetas of Trabzonspor. 0-1 Greece.
On 53 minutes, Northern Ireland gained possession in the final third to force a few decent passes and half chances around the box but that elusive final ball remained absent.
Soon after on 58, Kyle Laffery made his way onto the pitch to replace Shayne Lavery. The Green and White Army raised the roof for their hero, willing the 34-year old to make an impact. At the same time, Niall McGinn took the place of Bradley. The Dundee man had a decent chance on 66 minutes, benefitting from a Laffery flick on but it was an expected save from Vlachodimos, the Greek keeper.
With 15 minutes left, a counter attack for the visitors following a cleared NI corner, appeared to signal trouble for Bailey Peacock-Farrell but before the Burnley man was required, the skipper, Steven Davis did a great job to shield the attacker out of the danger zone.
On 83 minutes, good feet from Bolton’s Dion Charles resulted in a heavy tackle and a free kick on the edge of the box for NI. Lafferty stepped up but his decent effort crept over the bar, missing the target.
Five minutes of time were added on but that was as good as it got for Northern Ireland.
As ever, the issues for this team lie in attack, with no significant or sustained threat possible, as reflected in the front three that finished the game.
Lafferty of Kilmarnock, supported by Dundee’s McGinn and Charles of Bolton. Like their teammates, they toiled and tried, but the quality isn’t there. That is the Achilles heel for Northern Ireland and Ian Baraclough who is still struggling to make the sum greater than its parts.
Next up for NI is the visit to Cyprus on Sunday at the AEK Stadium in Larnaca.
The travelling fans will certainly feel the heat in the uncovered stand that awaits them but so will Baraclough if three essential Group 2 points are not secured.
Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell, Bradley, Ballard, J. Evans, Lane, McNair, Davis, McCann, Saville, Lavery, Whyte.
Subs: McGinn, Lafferty, D. Charles, Hume, S. Charles.
Graeme Hanna
@graeme818
