Healy keeps North flying

Euro 2008 qualifying Group F/Northern Ireland 3-1 Liechtenstein: David Healy made sure Nigel Worthington got off to a winning…

Euro 2008 qualifying Group F/Northern Ireland 3-1 Liechtenstein:David Healy made sure Nigel Worthington got off to a winning start as Northern Ireland manager. The Fulham striker grabbed a brace to take his tally to 11 goals in the campaign and 31 overall in 57 international appearances.

With Kyle Lafferty also scoring his first competitive goal, Northern Ireland moved past Spain into second place in qualifying Group F behind Sweden.

It took Healy five minutes to make the breakthrough. Lafferty pulled the ball back to Keith Gillespie, who whipped in a cross for Healy to head home.

Healy took advantage after Michael Stocklasa inexplicably played a free-kick across the face of goal on 34 minutes and into the path of Healy, who promptly rattled a 20-yard shot beyond goalkeeper Peter Jehle.

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Lafferty made it 3-0 in the 56th minute, thumping home George McCartney's deep cross. Mario Frick pulled a goal back on 89 minutes after sloppy defensive play.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Taylor, Duff, McCartney, Baird, Craigan, Clingan, Gillespie (Jones 85), Davis, Lafferty (Feeney 75), Healy, Brunt (Elliott 62). Subs not used: Carroll, Sproule, McAuley, McCann. Booked: Duff. Goals: Healy 5, 35, Lafferty 56.

LIECHTENSTEIN: Jehle; Michael Stocklasa (Oehri 38), Martin Stocklasa, Telser, D'Elia, Polverino, Ronny Buchel, Daniel Frick, Biedermann (Stefan Buchel 62), Rohrer (Roger Beck 74), Mario Frick. Subs not used: Steuble, Ritzberger, Kieber. Booked: Michael Stocklasa, D'Elia. Goal: Mario Frick 89.

Referee: R Matejek (Czech Republic).