Friendly: Northern Ireland 1 Slovenia 0
NORTHERN Ireland’s unbeaten run moved into double figures last night after a 1-0 victory over Slovenia at Windsor Park – and Conor Washington may just have booked his seat on the plane for Euro 2016.
A superb 41st minute strike from the burly QPR striker brought to life an otherwise tepid encounter and proved to be the only goal as Michael O’Neill’s men made it 10 games without defeat since losing to Romania in November 2014.
Yet while one new boy set about making a name for himself, Northern Ireland were grateful to one of their old heads, veteran goalkeeper Roy Carroll, as he saved a Slovenia penalty in the 65th minute.
But the night belonged to Washington. On his Windsor Park debut, the former postman delivered a lively performance from the off, his every touch generating a whirr of excitement around the ground.
And, having been denied by Slovenia keeper Jan Oblak just 10 minutes earlier, Washington opened his account in Northern Ireland colours four minutes before the break.
The 23-year-old nudged Bostjan Cesar off the ball just beyond the halfway line before running down the left of Miral Samardzic, then cutting back on to his right foot before smashing a low shot to the left of the flat-footed Oblak.
Considering Atletico Madrid stopper Oblak is rated one of the best goalkeepers in world football at present, it wasn’t a bad way for Washington to announce his arrival on the international stage.
Following on from last Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Wales in Cardiff, Michael O’Neill continued to tinker with his formation, and selection.
The Ballymena man again went with a 3-5-2 from the start, with debutant Michael Smith and Shane Ferguson patrolling the wings, while Manchester United’s Paddy McNair was stationed in defensive midfield.
And, with Slovenia playing a 4-5-1, Josip Ilicic and Valter Birsa operating behind Roman Bezjak, both sides took a while to find their feet on a bitterly cold night.
Indeed, a 14th minute standing ovation for Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, who died last week, was the only opportunity for fans to warm their hands as chances were few and far between in the first 25 minutes.
Bezkjak fired into the side netting after being played in down the right by Nejc Skubic after nine minutes as Slovenia had their first sight of Carroll’s goal.
An 18th minute Stephen Davis reducer on the dangerous Ilicic brought a cheer from the crowd, and the Fiorentina schemer was clearly still feeling the effects at half-time as he failed to reappear after the break.
Shane Ferguson and Jamie Ward were busy trying to find space, but Northern Ireland were struggling to create any clear-cut chances.
However, just a minute after Ilicic had curled a tame effort into Carroll’s hands, Washington made his first impact on the game.
With 29 minutes on the clock, he robbed Kasmin Kurtic before bursting past Samardzic and firing at Oblak, who blocked his effort.
With the game heating up, Northern Ireland finally made the breakthrough 41 minutes in, this time Oblak could do nothing to prevent Washington getting on the scoresheet in just his second appearance.
Northern Ireland started the second half strongly, Washington almost setting up Smith after a strong run down the right.
But Slovenia temporarily silenced the Windsor crowd 65 minutes in when they were awarded a penalty. Estonian referee Kristo Tohver pointed to the spot after Jonny Evans pulled down defender Cesar, but Carroll dived to his right to deny Milivoje Novakovic.
O’Neill brought on Kyle Lafferty and Stuart Dallas in the 60th minute, while Washington left to a hero’s reception when he was replaced by Josh Magennis with 20 minutes left.
Lafferty and Magennis almost combined to increase Northern Ireland’s lead in the 72nd minute when Lafferty’s right wing cross was fired just wide by the Kilmarnock striker.
Four minutes later big Norwich City striker Lafferty – on loan at Birmingham City – popped up on the left of the penalty area but this time his cross evaded everybody in green.
With just two minutes left, Carroll was called on to deny Novakovic again, this time the striker’s left-footed shot looking bound for the bottom corner of the net before Carroll reached out a glove to turn the ball around the post and secure an impressive win.
Northern Ireland: Carroll, McNair (McGinn 78), McAuley (Hughes 46), Jonny Evans, Cathcart, Smith (McLaughlin 71), Ferguson (Dallas 60), Davis, Norwood, Ward (Kyle Lafferty 60), Washington (Magennis 70).
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Danny Lafferty, McCullough, McKay, Hodson, Paton; Booked: Ward, Washington, Jonny Evans; Goals: Washington 41
Slovenia: Oblak, Skubic (Stojanovic 60), Samardzic, Cesar (Aljaz Struna 80), Jokic, Kurtic (Vrhovec 46), Krhin, Verbic (Kirm 62), Ilicic (Novakovic 46), Bezjak (Crnic 75), Birsa;
Subs Not Used: Belec, Andraz Struna, Vidmar
Booked: Oblak, Vrhovec
Ref: Kristo Tohver (Estonia)
