Soccer

Jamie Ward and Conor Washington give Northern Ireland win over Norway

Jamie Ward celebrates his early goal
Jamie Ward celebrates his early goal Jamie Ward celebrates his early goal

World Cup European qualifying Group C: Northern Ireland 2 Norway 0

IF a team is supposed to reflect its supporters then perhaps that's the only way Northern Ireland failed in this match.

The men in green on the pitch were cool, calm, and collected the three points comfortably. Indeed victory was in the bag by half-time thanks to well-taken goals from the front two of Jamie Ward and Conor Washington, finishes which sent the fans into frenzies of delight.

A minute's applause before kick-off for the late Derry City captain Ryan McBride, with a banner bearing his shirt number 5 also in the stadium, made for a slightly sombre mood, but events on the pitch were soon worthy of celebration.

Northern Ireland had been pushed into second spot in the group by the Czech Republic's earlier 6-0 win away to San Marino, which was entirely predictable, perhaps apart from the margin of victory. The same could be said for Germany's 4-1 win in Azerbaijan.

Despite the hosts' recent fine form, and Norway's struggles, this outcome was not quite so obvious, although the north's excellent performance brought a first win over Norway since before even Gareth McAuley was born, and only a second ever in nine meetings.

Manager Michael O'Neill made four changes from the starting line-up against Azerbaijan, with Craig Cathcart, Stuart Dallas, and the dynamic duo of Ward and Washington coming in for Shane Ferguson (suspended), Corry Evans, Josh Magennis, and Kyle Lafferty.

O'Neill's selections and formations used to be predictable, but no longer; once more he sprang something of a surprise, with Dallas deployed at left wing-back and Chris Brunt instead playing centrally, in an attacking midfield role.

That policy paid almost instant dividends, leading to the opening goal around the 90-second mark. Although Brunt struck a somewhat scuffy low cross, Ward seized on it, turned away from his marker, and bent a beautiful shot into the far corner of the net.

With their already high confidence boosted by that, the hosts proceeded to probe for more openings with patient, precise passing.

Central to that was the skipper, Steven Davis, some of whose touches are so lovely he really should be kitted out by Laura Ashley.

In contrast, Norway at first offered only throwbacks to their glory days under Egil Olsen, in the form of long throw-ins from midfielder Havard Nordtveit, who appeared not to have learned too much style at the West Ham 'academy'.

Norway did slowly grow into the game and might even have snatched a surprise equaliser in the 27th minute. King's persistence caused concern near the edge of the penalty area and centre forward Alexander Soderlund looped a left-foot shot that came back off the crossbar.

Duly warned, the hosts extended their advantage in the 32nd minute. The supremely confident Davis played a straight ball but a great ball through the heart of the Norwegian rearguard to Washington who steadied himself before sliding a right-foot shot past the advancing Rune Jarstein.

Norway's in-form Bournemouth striker Josh King glimpsed an opening early in the second half but Cathcart instantly closed down his shot.

Home defenders were not just doing the basics, though; Evans and then Conor McLaughlin both pulled off skilful tricks to evade tackles.

New Norway boss Lars Lagerback made three changes before O'Neill made any, including sending on powerful Hull City forward Adama Diamande for Soderlund, but balls into the home box kept getting headed away by one of the three centre halves.

When O'Neill did go to his bench, it merely confirmed his meticulous preparation and planning. 50th cap presentations had been made before the kick-off to Jonny Evans, Kyle Lafferty, and Niall McGinn, with the last two surely showing part of the manager's substitution strategy, but it mattered not as he was able to bring them both on late on with the game effectively won. Rochdale midfielder Matthew Lund also got a few minutes late on in his competitive senior debut.

Michael McGovern had only one serious save to make, from a low free kick struck by Nordtveit, and McGinn might even have made it 3-0 but Jarstein dashed back to catch his shot after a weak clearance from the 'keeper.

Throughout the night the 'Green and White Army' sang 'We're going to win the group'. They know that's highly unlikely with the brilliant Germans at the top, but second spot and a place in the play-offs for Russia appears increasingly within reach.

Next up in the group is a trip to Azerbaijan in June, but the crunch game could come at home to the Czechs in September.

On this form, with another clean sheet at Windsor Park, O'Neill and Northern Ireland will be scouting the second place sides in other groups already.

Northern Ireland: McGovern; C McLaughlin, Cathcart, McAuley, J Evans, Dallas (Lund, 88); Norwood, Davis (capt.), Brunt; Ward (McGinn, 80), Washington (K Lafferty, 85).

Norway: Jarstein; Elabdellaoui, Hovland, Valsvik, Skjelvik; M Elyounoussi, Johansen (capt.) (Berge, 75), Nordtveit, T Elyounoussi (Moller Daehli, 53); King, Soderlund (Diamande, 63).

Referee: Huseyin Gocek (Turkey).

Attendance: 18,161.

Northern Ireland ratings:

Michael McGovern: Barely troubled before the break. Got down well to push around a fierce low free kick from Nordtveit. 7

Conor McLaughlin: Very good once gain, getting up and down the right flank, doing his job defensively - forcing his direct opponent to be taken off – and offensively with some good link play. 7

Craig Cathcart: Settled back into the side comfortably and confidently, reading situations very well at right centre-back, including blocking a King shot early in the second half. 7.5

Gareth McAuley: Shipped a couple of heavy knocks but typically recovered to carry on. Less typically, played one fabulous cross-field ball out to Dallas. 7

Jonny Evans: Excellent as ever, providing quality cover around left-back when his team attacked, and bringing the ball out well from the back. 7.5

Stuart Dallas: Disciplined in his defensive duties, also able to get forward up the left to good effect, offering the ability to cross with both feet. 7

Olly Norwood: Very effective in the defensive midfield role, making important headers and tackles, but also able to spray accurate long passes. 7.5

Steven Davis: The captain is a joy to watch, barely putting a foot wrong all night and doing so much right with his delicate touch, summed up by the perfectly-weighted pass for the second goal. 8.5

Chris Brunt: A rather fortunate assist for the opening goal but impressed with his passing before the break, and his set piece deliveries of course, although his influence waned. 7

Jamie Ward: Took his goal superbly to set the tone for the night and posed constant problems with his running across the front line. 8

Conor Washington: Perhaps too eager to impress early on but showed admirable calmness to slot away his goal. Always offering himself as an outlet for long balls, on the deck or in the air. 7.5

Substitutes:

Niall McGinn: Replaced Ward in the 80th minute and had a speculative long range effort caught by the retreating goalkeeper. 6.5

Kyle Lafferty: Not on long enough to be rated.

Matthew Lund: Not on long enough to be rated.