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31/03/2005
Honeymoon period ends for Sanchez
The honeymoon period for Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is finally over after his side suffered its second defeat in five days after going down 1-0 to Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday night.
Unlike Saturday’s second-half mauling at the hands of England, Maciej Zurawski's 85th minute winner was pretty harsh on the visitors who had put up stubborn resistance for the majority of the game as well as creating a number of opportunities of their own.
However, similar to Saturday goalkeeper Maik Taylor was the hero for the away side as he produced a number of world class saves which ensured a nervy finish for the Poles who continue to stay hot on the heels of Group Six leaders England.
For Northern Ireland, it is another disappointing result which leaves any hopes of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in tatters.
Lawrie Sanchez, however, said his side won’t just be making up numbers for the remainder of the campaign.
"We're not going to catch Poland now,” Sanchez said. “What we need to do is finish as high as we can in our little group of Azerbaijan, Wales and maybe Austria so in the next campaign we come out of the hat seeded a bit higher.
"There is plenty to play for but it's been a disappointing 10 days summed up by the last 10 minutes."
Northern Ireland’s next game is a friendly with Germany at Windsor Park as part of the IFA’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
(MB/SP)
Unlike Saturday’s second-half mauling at the hands of England, Maciej Zurawski's 85th minute winner was pretty harsh on the visitors who had put up stubborn resistance for the majority of the game as well as creating a number of opportunities of their own.
However, similar to Saturday goalkeeper Maik Taylor was the hero for the away side as he produced a number of world class saves which ensured a nervy finish for the Poles who continue to stay hot on the heels of Group Six leaders England.
For Northern Ireland, it is another disappointing result which leaves any hopes of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in tatters.
Lawrie Sanchez, however, said his side won’t just be making up numbers for the remainder of the campaign.
"We're not going to catch Poland now,” Sanchez said. “What we need to do is finish as high as we can in our little group of Azerbaijan, Wales and maybe Austria so in the next campaign we come out of the hat seeded a bit higher.
"There is plenty to play for but it's been a disappointing 10 days summed up by the last 10 minutes."
Northern Ireland’s next game is a friendly with Germany at Windsor Park as part of the IFA’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
(MB/SP)
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30 March 2005
Sanchez looks for morale building result
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez will be looking for an improved result against Poland tonight in what is essentially a morale boosting fixture in this Group 6 World Cup qualifying game.
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Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez will be looking for an improved result against Poland tonight in what is essentially a morale boosting fixture in this Group 6 World Cup qualifying game.
18 August 2004
Carroll starts in goal for NI
Manchester United outcast Roy Carroll is set to start in goal for Northern Ireland for the first time in 25 games tonight.
Carroll starts in goal for NI
Manchester United outcast Roy Carroll is set to start in goal for Northern Ireland for the first time in 25 games tonight.
06 June 2005
Sanchez cites lack of confidence as Germans beat NI
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has hit out at his side’s lack of confidence when going behind to the opposition following Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Germany. Northern Ireland went 1-0 up thanks to a David Healy goal after Robert Huth was sent off for a hand ball on 15 minutes.
Sanchez cites lack of confidence as Germans beat NI
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has hit out at his side’s lack of confidence when going behind to the opposition following Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Germany. Northern Ireland went 1-0 up thanks to a David Healy goal after Robert Huth was sent off for a hand ball on 15 minutes.
18 August 2005
NI struggle in 1-1 Malta draw
Northern Ireland where booed off the pitch by their own supporters last night following a humiliating 1-1 draw with Malta in Valetta. Lawrie Sanchez’s team, which comprised four Premiership players, failed to show any character or motivation against a team 25 places lower in the World rankings and containing only one full time player.
NI struggle in 1-1 Malta draw
Northern Ireland where booed off the pitch by their own supporters last night following a humiliating 1-1 draw with Malta in Valetta. Lawrie Sanchez’s team, which comprised four Premiership players, failed to show any character or motivation against a team 25 places lower in the World rankings and containing only one full time player.
07 September 2005
Sanchez names unchanged NI side
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has named an unchanged side for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against England at Windsor Park. All those involved in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan will now face an England side that will involve Newcastle United striker Michael Owen.
Sanchez names unchanged NI side
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has named an unchanged side for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against England at Windsor Park. All those involved in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan will now face an England side that will involve Newcastle United striker Michael Owen.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
