World Cup Qualifier - Northern Ireland v Slovakia:NIGEL WORTHINGTON will hope to harness Windsor Park's boisterous atmosphere to continue Northern Ireland's recent proud competitive home record in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia – a match which is the country's biggest for nearly a quarter of a century.
They stand a potential two games away from qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since Mexico in 1986 – a tournament in which Worthington played – having also made the finals in 1958 and 1982.
After Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Poland when Worthington’s side conceded the equaliser in the 80th minute – they return to Belfast’s 13,500-capacity ground, where they are unbeaten in their past nine competitive games.
Yet, as Slovakia head Group Three by two points from Northern Ireland, having played a match fewer, Worthington said that winning all three points was “crucial”. Beyond avenging the 2-1 defeat in Bratislava to Vladimir Weiss’s side last September, victory would give Northern Ireland a one-point lead before Slovakia meet Slovenia on October 10th. A draw there would probably leave the Slovaks ahead on goal difference, before the final matches are played four days later.
Worthington, however, is focusing only on the next game as he strives to manage expectation. He is, nonetheless, intent on maintaining the home record. “I would like to keep that going,” said Worthington. “We had a disappointing result in Slovakia so we owe them one. What we need is a very passionate crowd at Windsor Park once again. It is something very special for the home side – for the away side it can be very intimidating and hostile.That’s what we’re looking for. The crowd will be up for it.”
Worthington confirmed the absence through injury of Saturday’s scorer Kyle Lafferty and that Leicester City’s Billy Kee, who is on loan at Accrington Stanley, has been promoted from the under-21s. “It’s time for someone to grab the headlines and be the hero. We could set the whole of Northern Ireland alight with a great result,” he said.
Slovakia head to Belfast knowing victory will move them a step closer to reaching the finals for the first time.
The hosts are, however, unbeaten at Windsor Park in their previous nine matches – while Slovakia will be without playmaker Marek Hamsik, who was sent off in their 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at the weekend. Marian Cisovsky and Jan Novak have also both withdrawn through injury.
Elsewhere in Group Three, Slovenia host Poland in Maribor in a match where defeat will almost certainly end any hopes of reaching South Africa. Both sides are locked on 11 points, three points behind Northern Ireland, with three games remaining.
Slovenia will be without defender Bastjan Cesar, after he suffered an ankle injury in their 2-1 friendly defeat against England at Wembley.
Poland will again call on Celtic stopper Artur Boruc between the posts, with Lukasz Fabianski still nursing a knee problem.
Czech Republic will be without veteran striker Jan Koller for their must-win match against San Marino, after the 36-year-old announced his international retirement for the second time.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
NORTHERN IRELAND(4-4-2) Taylor; McAuley, Craigan, Hughes, Evans; Johnson, Clingan, McCann, Davis; Paterson, Healy.
SLOVAKIA(4-2-3-1): Mucha; Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Cech; Strba, Kopunek; Sestak, Weiss, Stoch; Vittek.
RefereeB Kuipers (Neth).
Guardian Service
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