FEENEY AND WORTHINGTON CONFIDENT OF QUALIFYING FOR SOUTH AFRICA 2010
Northern Ireland go into their 2010 World Cup qualifiers in their best ever position in Fifa's world rankings, and confidence couldn't be higher as they attempt to reach the finals for the first time in 22 years. After a superb effort in their European Championship qualifiers - they finished Group F in third behind eventual Euro 2008 winners Spain and Sweden - Northern Ireland moved up to 32nd in the world.
Only four years ago they were 124th (out of 200) in the rankings, the lowest in their history. But a number of eye-catching victories since then - most notably against England and Spain - have reignited a belief in Northern Ireland that their boys can qualify for their fourth World Cup; their first since Mexico 1986 and the days of Colin Clarke and Norman Whiteside.
In Group three, which begins in early September, they take on the might of Czech Republic and Poland, teams who both qualified for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, as well as Slovenia, Slovakia and lowly San Marino. With only one team guaranteed to proceed (there will be a play-off for second-placed teams) Northern Ireland Ballymena-born head coach Nigel Worthington knows that every game will count.
The former Norwich manager said: "It's more difficult than the Euro 2008 qualifiers as only one team qualifies automatically, but it's very interesting and there's plenty to look forward to."
On the calibre of the teams Northern Ireland will face, the 46-year-old, who won 66 caps for his country, added: "The Czechs and Poland stand out straight away - they are very strong, in-form teams. Slovakia and Slovenia, certainly away from Windsor Park, will not be easy games while San Marino are one of those teams you are expected to beat.
"I would rather have the group this way than have three to four easy teams and one difficult one. We've got to be on your mettle from game one."
Forward Warren Feeney admits that his team-mates were originally wary of the strength of the group, but believes that if they keep things tight at home, Windsor Park, the rest should follow. The 27-year-old, who stars in the Scottish Premier League with Dundee United, said: "My initial feeling was that it is going to be a tough group. We will have to respect all the teams, regardless of where they are in the rankings, or what they have done in the past.
"We may be expected to roll Slovenia and Slovakia over, but it'll be very tricky going to Eastern Europe. It's going to be a hard group for us, but so was our last campaign and look what happened then.
"Coming off the back of the European Championship qualifying group, and what we achieved there, confidence couldn't be higher. We were really disappointed not to make it to the Championships in Austria and Switzerland. Even going into the final match we still had a chance to qualify. It was a great feeling and we want to make sure we go all the way this next time.
"Not many years ago we were 124th in the world, and the fact that we are nearly in the top 30 just shows you how far we have come. Poland are now only three places above in the rankings so we can travel there knowing that there will be hardly anything to choose between the two sides. We can be confident against every team now, and it wasn't too long ago that we beat the newly-crowned champions of Europe, Spain."
In September 2006 Northern Ireland defeated the Spaniards 3-2 at home, thanks to a David Healy hat-trick. Feeney is hopeful that striker Healy, who broke Davor Suker's 1996 record by scoring 13 goals in the European Championships qualifiers, can continue his rich vein of form for his county. "David was phenomenal and to receive an award from (Uefa President) Michel Platini just summed everything up for him," he said of the 29-year-old. "His record of 34 goals in 64 internationals is unbelievable. It is a great bonus having him in our team but we all want to chip in."
Feeney is confident that his team will be hard to beat at home, having turned Windsor Park - with they help of vociferous support - into an intimidating footballing fortress. He continued: "The group will be tight, but we can beat anyone at home. Windsor Park is a major factor and we know we won't drop many points there. It's a tight ground and the fans get right behind us and roar us on. It may be small but we fill the stadium and it has an amazing atmosphere.
"People talk about the crowd being the 12th man, well Windsor Park is like having 14 men! Teams really don't like coming to play us there. If we pick up some points away we will be there or there about the top."
Focusing on the favourites for Group three, he added: "From watching the European Championships, I think the Czechs (knocked out in the second round) will have come away disappointed. They were one of the teams that were fancied to do well. And Poland will be disappointed by their showing. But we could and should have been there, so they won't get any special treatment. There are also the other teams in the group to worry about as well."
Northern Ireland play the Czechs away in the last qualifier in October 2009, and Feeney knows it could be a crucial top-of-the-table clash. "Hopefully we will have it wrapped up by then, and we can go there and enjoy ourselves," he jokes. "No, they will be the favourites of the group, so we can expect that one to be the toughest game. But at least we will go there knowing what we need to do
"It would be so massive for the whole country if we could qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, as we haven't managed to do so for 22 years now. It would be fantastic for us personally, but more importantly for the whole of Northern Ireland. Hopefully we can do it this time."
NORTHERN IRELAND'S QUALIFIERS
Saturday, 6th September 2008
Slovakia v Northern Ireland
Wednesday, 10th September 2008
Northern Ireland v Czech Republic
Saturday, 11th October 2008
Slovenia v Northern Ireland
Wednesday, 15th October 2008
Northern Ireland v San Marino
Wednesday, 11th February 2009
San Marino v Northern Ireland
Saturday, 28th March 2009
Northern Ireland v Poland
Wednesday, 1st April 2009
Northern Ireland v Slovenia
Saturday, 5th September 2009
Poland v Northern Ireland
Wednesday, 9th September 2009
Northern Ireland v Slovakia
Wednesday, 14th October 2009
Czech Republic v Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland go into their 2010 World Cup qualifiers in their best ever position in Fifa's world rankings, and confidence couldn't be higher as they attempt to reach the finals for the first time in 22 years. After a superb effort in their European Championship qualifiers - they finished Group F in third behind eventual Euro 2008 winners Spain and Sweden - Northern Ireland moved up to 32nd in the world.
Only four years ago they were 124th (out of 200) in the rankings, the lowest in their history. But a number of eye-catching victories since then - most notably against England and Spain - have reignited a belief in Northern Ireland that their boys can qualify for their fourth World Cup; their first since Mexico 1986 and the days of Colin Clarke and Norman Whiteside.
In Group three, which begins in early September, they take on the might of Czech Republic and Poland, teams who both qualified for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, as well as Slovenia, Slovakia and lowly San Marino. With only one team guaranteed to proceed (there will be a play-off for second-placed teams) Northern Ireland Ballymena-born head coach Nigel Worthington knows that every game will count.
The former Norwich manager said: "It's more difficult than the Euro 2008 qualifiers as only one team qualifies automatically, but it's very interesting and there's plenty to look forward to."
On the calibre of the teams Northern Ireland will face, the 46-year-old, who won 66 caps for his country, added: "The Czechs and Poland stand out straight away - they are very strong, in-form teams. Slovakia and Slovenia, certainly away from Windsor Park, will not be easy games while San Marino are one of those teams you are expected to beat.
"I would rather have the group this way than have three to four easy teams and one difficult one. We've got to be on your mettle from game one."
Forward Warren Feeney admits that his team-mates were originally wary of the strength of the group, but believes that if they keep things tight at home, Windsor Park, the rest should follow. The 27-year-old, who stars in the Scottish Premier League with Dundee United, said: "My initial feeling was that it is going to be a tough group. We will have to respect all the teams, regardless of where they are in the rankings, or what they have done in the past.
"We may be expected to roll Slovenia and Slovakia over, but it'll be very tricky going to Eastern Europe. It's going to be a hard group for us, but so was our last campaign and look what happened then.
"Coming off the back of the European Championship qualifying group, and what we achieved there, confidence couldn't be higher. We were really disappointed not to make it to the Championships in Austria and Switzerland. Even going into the final match we still had a chance to qualify. It was a great feeling and we want to make sure we go all the way this next time.
"Not many years ago we were 124th in the world, and the fact that we are nearly in the top 30 just shows you how far we have come. Poland are now only three places above in the rankings so we can travel there knowing that there will be hardly anything to choose between the two sides. We can be confident against every team now, and it wasn't too long ago that we beat the newly-crowned champions of Europe, Spain."
In September 2006 Northern Ireland defeated the Spaniards 3-2 at home, thanks to a David Healy hat-trick. Feeney is hopeful that striker Healy, who broke Davor Suker's 1996 record by scoring 13 goals in the European Championships qualifiers, can continue his rich vein of form for his county. "David was phenomenal and to receive an award from (Uefa President) Michel Platini just summed everything up for him," he said of the 29-year-old. "His record of 34 goals in 64 internationals is unbelievable. It is a great bonus having him in our team but we all want to chip in."
Feeney is confident that his team will be hard to beat at home, having turned Windsor Park - with they help of vociferous support - into an intimidating footballing fortress. He continued: "The group will be tight, but we can beat anyone at home. Windsor Park is a major factor and we know we won't drop many points there. It's a tight ground and the fans get right behind us and roar us on. It may be small but we fill the stadium and it has an amazing atmosphere.
"People talk about the crowd being the 12th man, well Windsor Park is like having 14 men! Teams really don't like coming to play us there. If we pick up some points away we will be there or there about the top."
Focusing on the favourites for Group three, he added: "From watching the European Championships, I think the Czechs (knocked out in the second round) will have come away disappointed. They were one of the teams that were fancied to do well. And Poland will be disappointed by their showing. But we could and should have been there, so they won't get any special treatment. There are also the other teams in the group to worry about as well."
Northern Ireland play the Czechs away in the last qualifier in October 2009, and Feeney knows it could be a crucial top-of-the-table clash. "Hopefully we will have it wrapped up by then, and we can go there and enjoy ourselves," he jokes. "No, they will be the favourites of the group, so we can expect that one to be the toughest game. But at least we will go there knowing what we need to do
"It would be so massive for the whole country if we could qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, as we haven't managed to do so for 22 years now. It would be fantastic for us personally, but more importantly for the whole of Northern Ireland. Hopefully we can do it this time."
NORTHERN IRELAND'S QUALIFIERS
Saturday, 6th September 2008
Slovakia v Northern Ireland
Wednesday, 10th September 2008
Northern Ireland v Czech Republic
Saturday, 11th October 2008
Slovenia v Northern Ireland
Wednesday, 15th October 2008
Northern Ireland v San Marino
Wednesday, 11th February 2009
San Marino v Northern Ireland
Saturday, 28th March 2009
Northern Ireland v Poland
Wednesday, 1st April 2009
Northern Ireland v Slovenia
Saturday, 5th September 2009
Poland v Northern Ireland
Wednesday, 9th September 2009
Northern Ireland v Slovakia
Wednesday, 14th October 2009
Czech Republic v Northern Ireland
Labels: Nigel Worthington, Northern Ireland, Warren Feeney, World Cup 2010
