11/06/2003

Smith starts as lone striker for NI

Irish league striker Andy Smith is set to take part in the biggest game of his career tonight as he starts as a lone striker for Northern Ireland against Spain in Belfast.

Smith, who played his first game for Northern Ireland against Italy last week, is one of four Irishmen making their competitive debuts for Sammy McIlroy's team. The other three are Steve Jones of Crewe, Bristol City midfielder Tommy Doherty and Southampton youngster Chris Baird.

Newcastle United's Aaron Hughes will captain a Northern Ireland team which has not scored a goal in 882 minutes of competitive football.

McIlroy makes one change to last Tuesday's team, replacing Norwich City's Paul McVeigh with Steve Jones.

Tonight's game at Windsor Park kick's off at 8pm. The teams are:

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Baird, Kennedy, Hughes, McCartney, Griffin, Healy, Johnson, Doherty, Jones, and Smith.

Spain: Castillo, Puyol, Helguera, Marrchena, Juan Fran, Sergio, Baraja, Etxeberria, Valeron, Vicente, and Raul.

(MB)

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