The day has dawned

We’re now just hours away from one of the most keenly anticipated Northern Ireland matches ever – Wednesday 7th September 2005 sees Norn Iron take on England at Windsor Park in a World Cup Qualifier.

Lawrie Sanchez has, for the first time as NI manager, named an unchanged team, namely:
Taylor, Baird, Hughes, Craigan, Capaldi, Gillespie, Johnson, Davis, Elliott, Healy, Quinn.
And if he goes for the same subs that will be: Sproule, Ingham, Murdock, Robinson, Jones
On the 11 that beat the Azers, Sanchez said:
“They did well. Anybody would have been disappointed to be left out after their performance on Saturday. They are all up for it again and all ready to perform at the same level.”

And on the match tonight the boss said:
“This is the one, The game at Old Trafford was also massive, but this is the one the players and everybody associated with the team wants to be involved in. The expectations and anticipation in the build-up to the game has been great. We are not far away from the game. Now we can get down to the business of putting what we have done in training this week can towards getting a very memorable result.”
On persuading the players they could win he said:
“I need to persuade them that they can achieve beyond their capabilities. As a manager I need to make them believe in their heart of hearts that they can beat England. It depends on how many I can convince before kick-off on what sort of result and what night we get.”

England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson has pinpointed Quinn, Healy, Gillespie and Elliott as our dangermen:
“Northern Ireland can hurt us,” admitted Eriksson.
“I have watched a tape of the match against Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland didn’t allow them a single shot during the second-half.
“There are players that could cause us problems. James Quinn is big and is a threat in the air around the box. David Healy is a busy player and has a good goalscoring record for the team. Keith Gillespie was excellent against Azerbaijan and his crossing ability is one of his great qualities while Stuart Elliott on the other wing is quick and good in the air.”

David Healy said:
“The 1982 team is legendary in Northern Ireland but this match against England is our chance to record a victory of that magnitude.”
“It would be a dream come true to score and incredible to score the winner.”
“I know how much it would mean to the people of Northern Ireland to do well against a great team like England. The reaction of among the fans to the 2-0 win over Azerbaijan on Saturday was extraordinary. So just imagine what it would be like if we were to beat England.

And Maik Taylor, who could easily have been playing for England today, has no regrets about choosing Norn Iron:
“I love it. There is a great spirit in the camp and we have the best supporters in the world.”
“It would be wonderful if we could give them all one of the greatest nights ever by getting a result against England.”
To right Maik.
C’mon boys!!!