World Cup Qualifier Report: Northern Ireland 2 - 0 Czech Republic

By Macdara Ferris at Windsor Park

It was party time in Belfast on Monday night as Northern Ireland secured second place in World Cup Qualifying Group C with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Czech Republic at Windsor Park.

First half goals from West Brom players Jonny Evans and Chris Brunt did all but make certain that Michael O’Neill’s men will have a playoff shot at making the World Cup in Russia. Back-to-back qualifications for major tournaments is certainly something that this group of players can achieve.

In the opening period the home side looked happy to sit back and let the visiting Czech Republic have the ball, knowing they would get time to get at the Czech back three.

That methodology was sound based on Northern Ireland’s excellent performance in the group so far. They came into the game having only conceded two goals in the campaign, and on the back of four consecutive clean sheets – those statistics would only get better by the final whistle at Windsor Park.

The Czechs looked to move the ball through Vladimir Darida and Tomas Soucek but Jonny Evans and Aaron Hughes were able to marshal their defence and keep the away side at bay. The visitors did get a couple of corners but didn’t really test the Northern Ireland goal.

When Ladislav Krejci did get a run on the ball, he couldn’t score. His header went up and over into the blood red Belfast sky, which was lit up by a spectacular sunset above stadium.

The sun was certainly going down on the slim chance that Czech Republic had of keeping their qualification hopes alive soon after. They did have another headed chance halfway through the half from Jan Boril, which didn’t trouble Michael McGovern, but on 28 minutes they were a goal down.

They really only had themselves to blame. Steven Davis put pressure on Filip Novak, who could have done better with his clearance when facing his own goal, and he conceded a corner kick.

When Chris Brunt’s centre from the left was cleared, the Czechs inexplicably left behind Jonny Evans behind them as they came out. When the ball came back in, he outjumped the ‘keeper to head home to score his second international goal.

Windsor Park was rocking and it was only going to get louder as they doubled their lead four minutes from the break, and again it was a West Brom player on the scoresheet.

A Czech Republic attack broke down with Corry Evans taking the ball from deep at the retreating defence. Just as he looked to shoot, his heels were clipped on the edge of area.

Brunt lined up the resultig free kick and his left-footed effort, low around the wall, beat Tomas Vaclik’s despairing dive to give them a two-goal half time cushion.

With the comfort of that lead, the second half began much like the first with Northern Ireland happy to cede possession, get ten men behind the ball and look to break when they could.

Czech coach Karel Jarolim looked to change things up switching both his wide men with a double substitution ten minutes into the second half.

Similarly Michael O’Neill brought on fresh legs with Lee Hodson sprung off the bench, moving Josh Magennis in the central role as Conor Washington went off having run himself into the ground.

It was a case of the Ulster boys making all the noise in the stands and on the pitch though as the men in green and white kept the Czechs quiet in terms of goalscoring chances. McGovern wasn’t really troubled in the final period of the game as Norn Iron were able to shut out the game.

To top the group Northern Ireland would need to win their two remaining games, with Germany losing in both Belfast and at home to Azerbaijan, so direct qualification looks out of the green and white army grasp. However, they will certainly be daring to dream to make it through the playoff route and Russia 2018.

The belief and discipline that Michael O’Neill has instilled in his squad and in the supporters in the stands means whoever they get in the playoff – which they are almost certain to qualify for – they won’t be overawed.

Having won five competitive matches in a row, without conceding a goal, when the World Champions come to Belfast next month, O’Neill will relish the chance to go head-to-head again with Germany and show just what his team can do.

Northern Ireland: Michael McGovern; Conor McLaughlin, Aaron Hughes, Jonny Evans, Chris Brunt; Josh Magennis (Shane Ferguson 84), Corry Evans, Stephen Davis ©; Oliver Norwood, Stuart Dallas (Kyle Lafferty 74); Conor Washington (Lee Hodson 58).

Subs not used: Roy Carroll (gk), Alan Mannus (gk), Tom Flanagan, Niall McGinn, Paul Paton, Ryan McLoughlin, Seamus McCartan, Daniel Lafferty, Matthew Lund.

Booked: Jonny Evans (78).

Czech Republic: Tomás Vaclík; Tomas Kalas, Marek Suchy ©, Filip Novak (Borek Dockal 66); Theodor Gebre Selassie, Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Darida, Jan Boril; Ladislav Krejci (Jan Kliment 55), Michael Krmencik, Jakub Jankto (Josef Husbauer 55).

Subs not used: Tomás Koubek (gk), Jiri Pavlenka (gk), Pavel Kaderabek, Jan Kopic, David Hovorka, Michael Luftner, Jaromir Zmrhal, Tomas Horava, Antonin Barak.

Booked: Tomas Kalas (57), Josef Hasbauer (75).

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy).

Attendance: 18,167.

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Jonny Evans (Northern Ireland).