Friday October 8, 2010 Group Stage: Group C Finished Windsor Park

Northern Ireland 0 - 0 Italy

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  1. Euro 2012 qual. - Northern Ireland hold Italy to draw

    Euro 2012 qual. - Northern Ireland hold Italy to draw

    Northern Ireland grabbed a famous 0-0 draw with Italy at Windsor Park in Euro 2012 Group C which leaves among the group's early pacesetters. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Northern Ireland
    • Italy
    • 90+3' PEEEEP!PEEEEEEP!PEEEEEEEEEEEP!!! That's it. It finishes in a very good draw for Northern Ireland against an Italian side who on top for long periods.
    • 90+3' Last knockings now. Italy have a free-kick down by the right corner flag.....
    • 21.38 Group C latest: Slovenia 5 - 1 Faroe Islands
    • 90+1' It's almost too much to bear. Italy haven't been great and N.Ireland have grown as the match has gone on. McAuley plays a long ball for Lafferty but he loses it in the corner for a throw to Italy.
    • 90' Three minutes of additional time...
    • 89' Lafferty handballs. Chiellini comes forward but then Davis springs forward and McGinn plays him in. Davis shoots!!! But Viviano saves.
    • 89' N.Ireland need to remain calm. A brilliant point is not far away.
    • 88' N.Ireland have a free-kick on halfway. But it's all the way through to Viviano.
    • 86' PAZZINI HEADS WIDE!!! What a chance!! Cassano sends over the cross from the left. Pazzini peels away at the far post and heads down and wide of Taylor's goal. Rossi follows up but hooks it into the side-netting. Waste.
    • 86' Back with Vivano as Windsor Park finds its voice again.
    • 85' Corry Evans fouls Pirlo and Italy are looking for a winner.
    • 84' ITALY SUB: Giuseppe Rossi replaces Simone Pepe
    • 21.28 Group C latest: Slovenia 5 - 0 Faroe Islands
    • 81' N.Ireland smuggle a corner. Davis kicks the flag and the ball. Davis can't touch it and Pirlo won't touch it. It'd cleared up with a drop ball.
    • 80' N.IRELAND SUB: Corry Evans replaces Grant McCann
    • 78' ITALY SUB: Claudio Marchisio replaces Stefano Mauri
    • 78' Mauri fouls McAuley and the pressure is relieved somewhat.
    • 77' Cassano gets free on the right and crosses. McAuley concedes the corner. Italy are piling it on...CHIELLINI HEADS WIDE!!! Should have scored from Pirlo's wonderful dead ball.
    • 21.21 Group C latest: Serbia 1 - 3 Estonia
    • 75' McGinn on the right, into Davis but De Rossi is too clever and nicks the ball away.
    • 75' Italy are starting to turn the screw now but N.Ireland are holding firm.
    • 73' ITALY SUB: Giampaolo Pazzini replaces Marco Boriello
    • 72' FEENEY GOES CLOSE!! McAuley's cross from the right is flicked on by Feeney and the header drops just over the bar from 18 yards.
    • 72' N.IRELAND SUB: Niall McGinn replaces Chris Brunt
    • 70' Better from N.Ireland but Pirlo and Mauri combine. Mauri gets the free-kick. Into Cassano. CHANCE FOR PEPE!!! Cassano with a cross from the left and Pepe finds himself at the far post but can only flash it across Taylor's goal.
    • 21.15 Group C latest: Slovenia 4 - 0 Faroe Islands
    • 67' Evans gets Lafferty away down the left. And he gets a corner off Criscito. McCann to take...but Viviano claims with ease.
    • 66' N.Ireland have a free-kick 40 yards out. Brunt strikes it but it bobbles towards Vivano and he saves with ease.
    • 65' N.IRELAND SUB: Kyle Lafferty replaces David Healy
    • 64' Nigel Worthington is getting both Kyle Lafferty and Niall McGinn ready to come on. N.Ireland have a corner on the right.
    • 62' Brunt's cross gets a corner...McCann to take...Cheillini clears for a throw.. Baird takes the throw...cleared. Davis loses out to Mauri. Pirlo releases Cassano but his shot his deflected for a throw on the right.
    • 60' More possession from De Rossi and Pirlo. Mauri slips in Boriello but his shot is weak and Taylor falls on it.
    • 60' N.Ireland are looking to make a change. It's likey that Healy could give way...
    • 21.05 Group C latest: Serbia 1 - 2 Estonia
    • 58' Healy fouls Chiellni down by the corner flag.
    • 57' Pirlo now with Pepe just in front of him in midfield. It's all in front of N.Ireland though. Pirlo clips a ball through and Boriello flicks it into the arms of Taylor.
    • 56' Evans clears for a throw. Bonucci now, back with Chiellini. And back to Viviano. Italy content to take their time.
    • 54' Davuis ensures N.Ireland retain the ball. Feeney is released down the right. He crosses deep and Criscito heads for a corner. And Italy clear. Better from the home side.
    • 54' Feeney forces a throw off Chiellini in the right back area.
    • 53' Craigan intercepts Pirlo's pass. Who then gives it away. Cassano hovers on the edge of the box but is crowded out.
    • 51' Pirlo to Mauri into Cassano. He tries to get Criscito in behind Brunt but he does really well and it's a goal kick.
    • 50' Italy are beginning to look very good on the ball. N.Ireland are starting to chase shadows.
    • 20.55 Group C latest: Serbia 1 - 1 Estonia
    • 47' N.Ireland have a bit of possession in midfield. But Italy get it back and Pirlo picks out Mauri. He's fouled by Brunt. Pirlo with the free-kick from 40 yards...he shoots!!! and Taylor is right behind it.
    • 47' Boriello shoots again from the angle this time, 25 yards out and it bobbles wide of the far post.
    • 46' Boriello loops a left-footed effort wide from 20 yards. Taylor has no problems.
    • 45' Italy get the second half underway from left to right...
    • 20.50 No changes for either side at the break despite Pirlo wearing number 21 to confuse us all.
    • 20.49 It's my pleasure MikeyB. It wasn't my intention to offend. He's to a cracking second half at Windsor Park...here come the teams...
    • 45' That's your lot for the half as the ref blows for half-time.
    • 44' Pirlo releases Cassano in the box. He spins and finds De Rossi on the edge of the box but his shot is cleared. N.Ireland have to survive to the break.
    • 43' Not long to the break and N.Ireland are doing OK but Italy are well on top and will only need a chance to break N.Irish hearts.
    • 42' De Rossi on the ball but is fouled by Davis. The ball forward is cleared.
    • 40' ...which is cleared. Another N.Ireland throw on the left. But Davis loses it and Italy have a throw in their right back position.
    • 39' N.Ireland have a free-kick on the right near to the penalty area. McCann takes. It reaches Craigan who tries to cross and De Rossi blocks for a corner.
    • 38' Group C latest: Slovenia 2 - 0 Faroe Islands
    • 36' Mauri gets down the left and picks out Cassano who bounces off a couple of challanges. Criscito crosses from the left and Mauri gets on the end of it and heads straight at Taylor from 8 yards out.
    • 33' Apologies to Portsyouth. I know the country is Northern Ireland but if I type that out every time we'll be here all night. You'll have to forgive me and make do with a shorter version but no less passion. Hope that's OK.
    • 31' SAVE BY TAYLOR!! Italy launch Boriello forward and he gets beyond Hughes. He shoots!! Taylor saves to his left from 15 yards. It falls to Cassano 18 yards out and he curls it wide of the left-hand post. What a couple of minutes.
    • 30' HEALY MUST SCORE!!! Brunt swings over a wonderful cross and Healy is all alone six yards out at the far post and heads wide!!! What a chance!! He should've scored.
    • 29' McAuley loses out to Cassano down by the corner flag but somehow the throw goes to Ireland. The ref and his mates are having a collective shocker. If they decide tonight's match it'll be a huge shame.
    • 28' Italy look to break but Craigan is fouled by Boriello. Brunt on the ball, to Davis. He loses it and Italy look to get Boriello clear but he fouls Hughes.
    • 26' Group C latest: Slovenia 1 - 0 Faroe Islands
    • 25' Evans long ball forward but Healy fouls Chiellini.
    • 24' Ireland are more in the game but Italy are still well on top. Ireland need a shot on target.
    • 23' Ireland get away with one. McAuley blocks Boriello and hauls him down as he runs through. Must be a penalty? But again the ref doesn't want to know. Bizarre.
    • 22' Criscito is fouled by Brunt but he's off the pitch. Italy have a throw on the left near the penalty area. Ireland clear.
    • 20' Craigan with a long ball forward. McAuley challenges him and Viviano gets caught underneath it but reclaims the ball. Lucky boy.
    • 19' You must feel for the Irish. When you see replays, it's a penalty.
    • 18' MUST BE HANDBALL!!! Cheillini blatantly handles the ball just on the edge of the box as he challenges Feeney. Shocking that the officials missed it. Could've been a game changer.
    • 17' Baird plays it left to Jonny Evans who plays a terrible pass and Pepe pounces. He tries to find Boriello but it's a poor and Hughes can clear. Then Italy fall offside.
    • 15' Cute free-kick. Brunt taps it to Davis who then taps it back to the West Brom man. He lets it run across him then shoots from 35 yards but he hits a defender on the edge of the box and Italy clear.
    • 14' Feeney gets a free-kick 40 yards out on the right. Cue the Irish defenders to lumber forward...
    • 13' More Italy pressure. Pirlo plays in Criscito on the left of the area. It's a great ball but a yard in front of Pepe as it fizzes across the goal area.
    • 12' Bonucci plays a long ball forward for Cassano. It checks and the winger plays it back for Pirlo but he's too slow and Davis can nip in and clear.
    • 11' Brunt looks for Feeney but Cheillini heads clear and Mauri brings it forward.
    • 10' Chiellini fouls Feeney and Ireland look to launch themselves forward...it's played short but Davis loses it to De Rossi. Windsor Park is jumping. Literally.
    • 9' Mauri looks for Boriello over the top with a clipped ball from 35 yards but Craigan gets a head to it and Taylor can come and claim. De Rossi looks for Cassano on the left but overhits it.
    • 7' Healy turns on a ball 30 yards out and shoots! It deflects off Pepe for a corner. McCann to take...Feeney fouls Viviano. Shocking decision as the keeper was doing all the pushing.
    • 6' Feeney brings Ireland forward and gets a throw on the right. Feeney then crosses and Chiellini cuts out the cross. Bonucci brings it forward and clears to the halfway line.
    • 5' It's backs-to-the-walls stuff already. Craigan clears another Cassini cross. Pirlo is conducting the Italy midfield. He's a class act.
    • 4' Casson cuts in from the left and crosses for Cassini. He crosses and Taylor makes a good parry which Brunt can then hammer clear. Italy on top.
    • 3' Pirlo's corner is cleared by Brunt. Back to Pirlo who then treads on the ball and falls over. Windsor Park loves it.
    • 2' Criscito to Mauri. The ball goes over to the right and Cassini. Who crosses and gets a corner.
    • 1' Early handball from Marco Boriello. Irish free-kick from the left back area.
    • 1' The noise. Is. Deafening.
    • 1' We're off and underway...Ireland kick us off from left to right in green shirts and white shorts. Italy are in white shirts and blue shorts.
    • 19.46 The Irish anthem is boomed out as you would expect and we're now just moments away...
    • 19.44 Italy may not be the team they were but with the likes of Chiellini, De Rossi, Cassano and Boriello this will be some test.
    • 19.43 The announcer leads the chants of 'Green Army'!! And now the anthems...Italy first
    • 19.41 Andrea Pirlo and Aaron Hughes prepare to lead out the two sides...here they come...
    • 19.35 The two teams are going through their final preparations before coming out onto Windsor Park. The Italy team team receive a chorus of boos as their names are read out. Crikey.
    • 19.28 The home fans are starting to get Windsor Park jumping. No doubt they'll be hoping for a repeat of their win away to Slovenia.
    • 19.16 Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Hughes, Craigan, Jonathan Evans, Brunt, Baird, Davis, McCann, Feeney, Healy Subs: Tuffey, Clinghan, Corry Evans, Lafferty, McGinn, Patterson, Gorman /// Italy: Viviano, Criscito, Bonucci, Chiellini, Cassani, De Rossi, Pirlo, Mauri, Pepe, Cassano, Borriello Subs: Sirigu, Marchisio, Bovo, Palombo, Zambrotta, Pazzini, Rossi
    • 19.13 Aaron Hughes is set to skipper the home side tonight and David Healy, yet to feature for Sunderland this term, should be the lone striker. Team news to follow...
    • 19.08 Italy have been unconvincing so far in qualifying but are still two-for-two and have only conceded one goal.
    • 19.05 The Irish will be looking to build on their great win in Slovenia with another rip-roaring night at Windsor Park this evening.
    • 19.04 With Alberto Gilardino and Amauri injured, Marco Borriello has been given the nod ahead of Giampaolo Pazzini to pick up his sixth cap for the Italians.

  • Summary

    • 86' PAZZINI HEADS WIDE!!! What a chance!! Cassano sends over the cross from the left. Pazzini peels away at the far post and heads down and wide of Taylor's goal. Rossi follows up but hooks it into the side-netting. Waste.
    • 77' Cassano gets free on the right and crosses. McAuley concedes the corner. Italy are piling it on...CHIELLINI HEADS WIDE!!! Should have scored from Pirlo's wonderful dead ball.
    • 72' FEENEY GOES CLOSE!! McAuley's cross from the right is flicked on by Feeney and the header drops just over the bar from 18 yards.
    • 70' Better from N.Ireland but Pirlo and Mauri combine. Mauri gets the free-kick. Into Cassano. CHANCE FOR PEPE!!! Cassano with a cross from the left and Pepe finds himself at the far post but can only flash it across Taylor's goal.
    • 36' Mauri gets down the left and picks out Cassano who bounces off a couple of challanges. Criscito crosses from the left and Mauri gets on the end of it and heads straight at Taylor from 8 yards out.
    • 30' HEALY MUST SCORE!!! Brunt swings over a wonderful cross and Healy is all alone six yards out at the far post and heads wide!!! What a chance!! He should've scored.
    • 18' MUST BE HANDBALL!!! Cheillini blatantly handles the ball just on the edge of the box as he challenges Feeney. Shocking that the officials missed it. Could've been a game changer.
    • 19.16 Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Hughes, Craigan, Jonathan Evans, Brunt, Baird, Davis, McCann, Feeney, Healy Subs: Tuffey, Clinghan, Corry Evans, Lafferty, McGinn, Patterson, Gorman /// Italy: Viviano, Criscito, Bonucci, Chiellini, Cassani, De Rossi, Pirlo, Mauri, Pepe, Cassano, Borriello Subs: Sirigu, Marchisio, Bovo, Palombo, Zambrotta, Pazzini, Rossi

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Northern Ireland

    Manager: Nigel Worthington

  • Italy

    Manager: Cesare Prandelli

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      1 -
      Defenders
      6 -
      7 -
      6 -
      6 -
      Midfielders
      7 -
      6 -
      Substitution Out72′ 6 -
      Substitution Out80′ 6 -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out66′ 6 -
      6 -
      Subs
      Substitution In66′ 6 -
      Substitution In72′ 6 -
      Substitution In80′ 6 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      9 -
      Defenders
      8 -
      8 -
      8 -
      9 -
      Midfielders
      10 -
      9 -
      Substitution Out79′ 8 -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out84′ 7 -
      10 -
      Substitution Out74′ 7 -
      Subs
      Substitution In84′ 9 -
      Substitution In79′ 8 -
      Substitution In74′ 10 -

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