WELL THEY WERE due one of those big wins at Windsor Park.
Martin Paterson dealt a major blow to Russia’s World Cup qualification hopes with the only goal in a 1-0 win for Northern Ireland in Belfast tonight.
In a match twice postponed earlier in the year due to snow, Russia were hoping to go back to the top of European zone Group F but they hadn’t accounted for a plucky Northern Irish display. It leaves Fabio Capello’s team still two points adrift of group leaders Portugal, albeit with a game in hand.
But a second straight group defeat for the Russians, following a 1-0 reverse in Lisbon, has dramatically changed the complexion of the group, giving Portugal hope they can now top it just a couple of games after trailing Russia having played two games more.
Northern Ireland dent Russian World Cup hopes
WELL THEY WERE due one of those big wins at Windsor Park.
Martin Paterson dealt a major blow to Russia’s World Cup qualification hopes with the only goal in a 1-0 win for Northern Ireland in Belfast tonight.
In a match twice postponed earlier in the year due to snow, Russia were hoping to go back to the top of European zone Group F but they hadn’t accounted for a plucky Northern Irish display. It leaves Fabio Capello’s team still two points adrift of group leaders Portugal, albeit with a game in hand.
But a second straight group defeat for the Russians, following a 1-0 reverse in Lisbon, has dramatically changed the complexion of the group, giving Portugal hope they can now top it just a couple of games after trailing Russia having played two games more.
© AFP, 2013
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World Cup Qualifiers Europe Northern Ireland Russia The North