Soccer

Northern Ireland subs turn Euro tie around to sink Estonia

Northern Ireland's Josh Magennis during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match against Estonia at the A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.  
Northern Ireland's Josh Magennis during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match against Estonia at the A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.   Northern Ireland's Josh Magennis during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match against Estonia at the A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.  
By Kenny Archer at A Le Coq Arena and Tallinn

Euro 2020 qualifying Group C: Estonia 1-2 Northern Ireland

THERE was good-natured joshing over who scored Northern Ireland’s vital equaliser but there was no doubt about the winner, nor the visitors’ delight at turning this tie around.

After falling behind to a fine 25th minute free-kick from Estonia captain Konstantin Vassiljev Michael O’Neill sent on three attackers in the second half and they all played their parts in the victory.

Conor Washington’s shot was deflected in off Josh Magennis for the leveller in the 77th minute and three minutes later the big Bangor man definitely netted, turning in a low cross from the excellent Jordan Jones.

Washington is out of contract, having been released by Premier League-bound Sheffield United, but may have caught the eye of a few bosses – and the same applies to Magennis, whose future is uncertain due to the financial troubles at Bolton Wanderers.

Afterwards Michael O'Neill hailed his super subs after the two late goals saw Northern Ireland keep their Euro 2020 qualifying hopes on track.

Asked about his "inspired" changes, O'Neill smiled as he said: "I think the players had something to do with it as well.

"I thought we started quite well, but we'd kind of run out of ideas a little bit.

"IWe had a couple of opportunities before half-time where we maybe could have done better, but I thought the response in the second half was great,'' reported the Press Association.

Northern Ireland fans in good spirits during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match against Estonia at A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.  
Northern Ireland fans in good spirits during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match against Estonia at A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.   Northern Ireland fans in good spirits during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match against Estonia at A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.  

"We ended up with probably too many attacking players on the pitch, but we needed to do that to get back into the game.

"I didn't feel at 1-1 that we should settle, we had to try and win the game.

"The subs were made with the intention of not just getting back into the game, (they were made) with the intention of winning it."

Northern Ireland's Conor Washington and Josh Magennis celebrate after their first goal of the game against Estonia during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match at A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.  
Northern Ireland's Conor Washington and Josh Magennis celebrate after their first goal of the game against Estonia during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match at A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.   Northern Ireland's Conor Washington and Josh Magennis celebrate after their first goal of the game against Estonia during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying, Group C match at A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.  

Estonia (4-2-3-1): Lepmets; Teniste (Kams, 84), Vihmann, Mets, Pikk; Dmitrijev, Kait (Tamm, 84); Zenjov, Vassiljev (capt.), Sinyavskiy; Sappinen (Sorga, 61).

Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell; Smith (Jones, 63), Cathcart, J Evans, Lewis; McNair, Davis (capt.), Saville (Magennis, 69); Whyte, Boyce (Washington, h-t), Dallas.

Referee: Fabio Verissimo (Portugal).

Attendance: 8,378.