A first-half Martin Paterson goal was enough to see
Michael O'Neill's men record an impressive and important win at Windsor Park
Martin Paterson's headed goal helped Northern Ireland
secure the first win of their World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign by beating
Fabio Capello's high-flying Russia.
The diminutive striker combined well with Niall McGinn
throughout proceedings but the pair's efforts were rewarded with 43 minutes on
the clock when Paterson thumped the ball home.
That was enough to give Northern Ireland fans a first
victory to celebrate since August 2011, when they ran out 4-0 winners over
minnows Faroe Islands, while it also marked manager Michael O'Neill's first in
charge.
For Russia, however, it was a huge opportunity missed to
return to top of their group above group rivals Portugal.
With Jonny Evans and Kyle Lafferty both absent through
injury or illness, and Chris Brunt suspended, Northern Ireland were forced to
name goalkeeping coach Maik Taylor among the substitutes just to fill the
bench.
Russia boss Fabio Capello, meanwhile, named only
30-year-old Aleksandr Kerzhakov up front as part of a line-up that included six
in midfield.
Northern Ireland started brightly, with Aberdeen
playmaker Niall McGinn firing in two early sighters on goal in the opening
couple of minutes - the second of which looped just past Igor Akinfeev's left-hand post.
However, Russia fought back and at the other end West
Brom's Gareth McAuley was forced to snuff out the threat from Alan Dzagoev as
he raced in on goal with a well-timed challenge.
The hosts’ early attacking pressure in the opening
quarter soon subsided, and eventually Russia's quality began to tell as they
got a real foothold in the game.
Russian winger Vladimir Bystrov linked well down the
right with Dzagoev, causing young left-back Shane Ferguson problems.
Then, in the 34th minute, the impressive Dzagoev created
space for striker Kerzakhov, but the Zenit man took too long to get his shot
away and McAuley cleared up.
As half-time neared, the hosts certainly did not seem to
be missing defender Chris Baird at the back - the 31-year-old having been
overlooked for the squad as he is currently without a club.
And despite Russia's attacking intent, it was Northern
Ireland who finished the half ahead.
Derby County's Jamie Ward had already gone close when he
sent a dipping 25-yard shot onto the post after being sent through by a quick
free-kick from skipper Steve Davis.
And two minutes before the break Windsor Park was
jumping.
McGinn was the architect when he whipped in cross from
deep and Huddersfield Town's Martin Paterson leapt well above his man to head
strongly into the corner - a remarkable feat considering that the 26-year-old
was one of the smallest players on the pitch.
For the second period, Capello rung the changes as he
tried to get Russia back into the contest.
The Italian brought on Artem Dzyuba and Denis Cheryshev,
although the latter was forced off with an injury after just six minutes.
But Northern Ireland still probed for a second goal, and
they nearly managed it close to the hour mark only to be denied by the
assistant referee’s flag.
Again it was Paterson with his head who found the net via
a McAuley knockdown, but the forward was adjudged to be just offside. TV
replays proved the call to be correct and showed that the striker had strayed
fractionally off.
The aerial threat again posed Russia problems 15 minutes
later when Ferguson pushed down the left flank, lifting another high ball into
the box, and this time Akinfeev flapped at the delivery.
The ensuing scramble for the loose ball saw Paterson and
Russian defender Vasiliy Berezutskiy booked.
The tenacity shown by Paterson was typical of the Irish,
as they fought for everything going into the final 10 minutes.
And they were rarely tested in the closing stages as
Windsor Park erupted at the whistle.
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