NI v Czech Republic

O IRELAND O F F I C I L M A T C H D A Y P R O G R A M M E P R I C E £ 4

Northern Ireland v Czech Republic FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifying Group C Monday 4 September 2017 National Football Stadium at Windsor Park Kick-Off: 19.45

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CONTENTS

TEAMS

2

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

3

MICHAEL O’NEILL

5

PATRICK NELSON

7

KYLE LAFFERTY INTERVIEW

10

NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD 20 CONOR McLAUGHLIN INTERVIEW 22 THE OPPONENTS - CZECH REPUBLIC 33 THE RISE OF NORTHERN IRELAND 40 INTERNATIONAL RECORD 47 MASCOTS 52

Irish Football Association President David Martin Chief Executive Patrick Nelson Advertising Irish Football Association Pictures Press Eye

Official Publication by Irish Football Association National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Donegall Avenue, Belfast, BT12 6LW Editor Nigel Tilson Head of Communications Neil Brittain Design and Print Minprint Ltd, 401 Castlereagh Road, Belfast, Co Down, BT5 6QP Tel: 028 9070 5205 www.minprint.co.uk

Cover photo and above: Stuart Dallas celebrates scoring his last gasp winner in Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku back in June. It was the only goal of the game. Please note that the views in this programme do not necessarily reflect those of the Irish Football Association.

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NORTHERN IRELAND

CZECH REPUBLIC

Michael O’Neill Manager

Karel Jarolím Head Coach

Roy Carroll Linfield Alan Mannus St Johnstone Michael McGovern Norwich City Bailey Peacock-Farrell Leeds United Chris Brunt West Bromwich Albion Jonny Evans West Bromwich Albion Tom Flanagan Burton Albion Lee Hodson Glasgow Rangers Aaron Hughes Heart of Midlothian Daniel Lafferty Sheffield United Conor McLaughlin Millwall Ryan McLaughlin Oldham Athletic Michael Smith Heart of Midlothian Adam Thompson Bradford City* Stuart Dallas Leeds United (C) Steven Davis Southampton Corry Evans Blackburn Rovers Shane Ferguson Millwall Matthew Lund Burton Albion

Tomas Koubek Rennes (FRA) Jiri Pavlenka Werder Bremen (GER) Tomas Vaclik FC Basel (SUI) Jan Bor il Slavia Praha (Prague) (CZE) Theodor Gebre Selassie Werder Bremen (GER) David Hovorka Sparta Praha (CZE) Pavel Kaderabe k 1899 Hoffenheim (GER) Tomas Kalas Fulham Michael Luftner FC Copenhagen (DEN) Filip Novak FC Midtjylland FC (DEN) Marek Suchy FC Basel (SUI) (C) Antonin Barak Udinese (ITA) Vladimir Darida Hertha Berlin (GER) Borek Dockal Henan Jianye FC (CHINA)

Tomas Horava Viktoria Plzen (CZE) Josef Husbauer Slavia Praha (CZE) Jakub Jankto Udinese (ITA) Jan Kopic Viktoria Plzen (CZE) Ladislav Krejci FC Bologna (ITA) Tomas Soucek Slavia Praha (CZE) Jaromir Zmrhal Slavia Praha (CZE) Jan Kliment Brondby (DEN) Michael Krmencik Viktoria Plzen (CZE)

Niall McGinn Gwangju FC Oliver Norwood Fulham** Paul Paton St Johnstone

Kyle Lafferty Heart of Midlothian Josh Magennis Charlton Athletic Shay McCartan Bradford City Conor Washington Queens Park Rangers

*on loan from Bury **on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion

Green and White

All Red

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee

Daniele Orsato ITA Riccardo Di Fiore ITA Lorenzo Manganelli ITA

Assistant Referee 1 Assistant Referee 2

Fourth Official

Marco Guida ITA

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PRESIDENT’S

WELCOME

On behalf of the Irish Football Association I am pleased to welcome the officials, players and supporters of Czech Republic to Northern Ireland and in particular to our National Football Stadium in Belfast for this evening's FIFA World Cup 2018 Group C qualifying match.

There are now only three games to play in our quest for a much wanted play-off place and tonight we play the tie billed as the defining game for both countries in the current campaign. It was identified as such away back when the draw for the group stages was made and, while Baku perhaps eclipses it, there is no doubting the importance of this fixture. The results on Friday mean that Northern Ireland go into the game with a seven-point advantage and look to kick on towards the final two fixtures and the play-offs. However, Czech Republic will be attempting to get their qualification hopes back on course with a win - so it makes for an exciting 90 minutes. Since 2001 there have been five matches between Northern Ireland and Czech Republic, all in World Cup Qualifying, including the drawn game in Prague last September. In total there have been three 0-0 draws and two wins for

Czech Republic, the victories coming home and away in qualification for World Cup 2002. Since that fantastic last minute strike by Stuart Dallas in Baku on 10 June there has been much excitement and anticipation among the Northern Ireland football following as they looked forward to the games in San Marino and the one tonight. The atmosphere in the National Stadium for all our games provides a wonderful experience for our players and supporters and we look forward to more of the same again this evening. I hope that you all enjoy another exciting game and have a safe journey home. David J Martin President Irish Football Association

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MANAGER’S VIEW

So here we go again! It doesn’t seem like only two years ago that I was writing for the programme about our chances of qualification to the European Championship finals.

And now in a strange piece of déjà vu we are facing three more crucial autumn matches which could mean that we are destined for a World Cup qualification play-off in November. Our measured, composed and professional performance against San Marino on Friday night, coupled with Germany’s win against the Czechs the same night, means we require a draw against Czech Republic to guarantee the runners-up spot in the group. It appears it might even be good enough to cement a play-off slot - but we can’t say for sure yet as that still depends on results in the remaining games in other groups. What we can control right now is our own performance tonight – and I am confident the players can take care of business. This match against the Czechs is essentially the first of three games where we have an opportunity to claim that coveted second place behind the world champions. The Czechs have to win all of their remaining fixtures to have any chance of grabbing runners-up spot in Group C, while we have three opportunities, starting tonight, to grab the point we need. The Czechs rested some players for the Germany fixture, apparently with this game in mind, so we will have to be on our guard. It was tough against them last autumn and I know they will provide strong opposition again. Naturally, there is pressure on us to get a result tonight but I have no doubt the team will handle it well. I think our experiences during the Euro 2016 campaign, where we rose to the occasion when we had big prizes to play for, will hold us in good stead. We have, through our consistent performances and results in the group, brought ourselves to the brink

of what would be another remarkable achievement, and I have to say as coach that this group of players certainly deserve their success. Over all of my time as manager of Northern Ireland I have been amazed and delighted at the application, determination and ability of this group of players. In Steven Davis and Jonny Evans we have two fine leaders who provide the backbone of our squad, not only on the pitch but off it. They have provided the rock around which others such as Conor Washington and Conor McLaughlin have flourished and developed. I know that tonight will once again be extremely challenging. The Czechs have a lot to play for, and as long as there is a chance I know they will be giving their all, but I also know that my team will also be striving to find the elusive point/s to assure us of play-off qualification. It should be an exciting night. I also know that regardless of the result we will have your undying support. The Green and White Army continue to provide remarkable encouragement for us everywhere we go – not only in Belfast but in Prague, Hannover, San Marino and Baku, and no doubt in Oslo, and if we make the qualification play-off wherever that match will be played. There is nothing better than seeing the fans in their colourful outfits and in full voice to lift the team. The support was wonderful in Serravalle on Friday night. We all salute you for your support and I trust that the team will repay it with positive performances and results. So here we go! I for one can’t wait. Michael O’Neill Northern Ireland Manager

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HERE TO CREAT E

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GOOD EVENING

Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for tonight's vital FIFA World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic.

Following on from Friday’s win in San Marino, Michael’s team can take a significant stride towards a play-off place tonight (and whisper it quietly… automatic qualification is still a possibility). There are some parallels we can see between this qualification campaign and the last one, particularly at this stage of the competition. Game seven last time was a tricky away fixture against the supposed minnows of the Faroe Islands, followed by game eight at home to a major rival in Hungary. Substitute San Marino for the Faroes and Czech Republic for Hungary and here we are again! We've safely negotiated the first part of the test. Let's hope we are not waiting on a 93rd minute equaliser tonight though! Seriously, the prize at the end of this campaign is such a significant one for Northern Ireland - only 13 out of 55 UEFA countries (plus Russia as hosts) will qualify for next year's FIFA World Cup finals so we should not underestimate how big an achievement this would be for a country our size. It's been a long summer since Stuart Dallas made the plane fly home faster from Azerbaijan in June with his 92nd minute goal in Baku but we haven't been entirely without football in that time. We've had record numbers at the various Hughes Insurance summer camps around the country

where children learn to love the game in the care of our dedicated coaching staff. As well as that we hosted the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship finals last month in Ballymena, Belfast, Lurgan and Portadown. It was a tournament to remember with more than 18,000 spectators in total at the games, a record crowd in Northern Ireland for a women's game with 4,289 here at the National Football Stadium for our opening game against Spain, and more than 3,000 at the final to see Spain lift the trophy. No-one who was present at Mourneview Park will forget seeing Louise McDaniel score the equaliser against Scotland which gave us our first point at a women's finals tournament. Alfie Wylie and his squad did us proud and the organisation of the tournament itself from Sara Booth, Leanne McCready and countless other staff and volunteers was top class. We are missing the tournament vibe already but the good news is that we get to do it all again in 2020, this time with the UEFA Men’s U19 finals. Enjoy the game tonight and let's hope for a good result!

Patrick Nelson Chief Executive Irish Football Association

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UEFA CLUB 10- POINT PLAN

Play your part in the Irish Football Association ‘Football For All’ Programme by observing high standards of behaviour and fair play, whether on the pitch, in the stands or on the sidelines.

08 06 07

01

Encourage a common strategy between stewards and police for dealing with racist abuse. .

Issue a statement saying the club will not tolerate racism, spelling out the action it will

take against those engaged in racist chanting. The statement should be printed in all match programmes and displayed permanently and prominently around the ground.

Contact other clubs to make sure they understand the club’s policy on racism.

02

Work with all other groups and agencies, such as the players union, supporters,

Adopt an equal opportunities policy in relation to empowerment and service provision.

schools, voluntary organisations, youth clubs, sponsors, local authorities, local businesses and police, to develop proactive programmes and make progress to raise awareness of campaigning to eliminate racial abuse and discrimination.

09

from the ground as a matter of urgency.

03 04 05

Make public address announcements condemning racist chanting at matches. Make it a condition for season-ticket holders that they do not take part in racist abuse. Take disciplinary action against players who engage in racial abuse.

10

Take action to prevent the sale of racist literature inside and around the ground.

PLAY YOUR PART

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SPONSOR’S WELCOME

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE IFA

Tonight’s match at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park sees Michael O’Neill’s side continue their World Cup qualifying campaign against the Czech Republic, where they will look to improve on the 0-0 draw from their earlier meeting with the Czechs in the qualifiers.

As proud sponsors of the Northern Ireland team, Vauxhall are delighted to be backing the squad and the Green and White Army as they look to secure a momentous World Cup qualification. We won’t ever forget the achievements of last year, which were fantastic, and Vauxhall will be there every step along the way as the players do their best to make new history to reach the finals in Russia.

The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park crowd can make the difference and we have no doubt that you will show your great support for Michael O’Neill’s side again tonight. #GetIN. Join us on Twitter @VauxhallNI for matchday conversation. To find out more about our Vauxhall #GetIN campaign, competitions and exclusive players content, visit vauxhallfootball.co.uk.

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Words: Mark McIntosh, The Sun

HAPPY KYLE IS KEEN TO M CONTRIBUTIO

Kyle Lafferty believes the experience of qualifying for Euro 2016 will stand Northern Ireland in good stead in the coming months.

Michael O’Neill’s troops held their nerve to not only make it to France but top their qualifying group. And when the pressure was on to get results against Faroe Islands and Hungary two years ago they produced the goods and went on to write their name in the history books.

Fast forward to now and, while the scenario is slightly different with Germany almost certainly topping the group with Northern Ireland fighting it out for a play-off place, if anything the performances in the World Cup qualifying campaign have been even more convincing.

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KE A

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SMALLVICTORIES

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“It’s been a good campaign so far, probably as good as we realistically could have hoped for,” said Hearts striker Lafferty. “Before a ball was kicked I think everyone expected Germany to win the group, which is understandable as they are the holders. “We targeted second place. Given what we achieved in the qualifiers for the Euros and then making the knockout stages there was no reason to believe we were one campaign wonders.” He explained there was a real belief in the squad that Euro 2016 was never going to be a one-off and he says the squad have “given ourselves a chance”.

The forward added: “We all know that one second-placed team in the nine groups will miss out on a play-off but there’s no point in looking that far ahead just yet. “The big aim for us is to secure second and then we’ll start to look at the table of second-placed teams. Until that’s done we have to focus on the games in hand. “The experiences of the last campaign will certainly help everyone. We’ve gone to potentially tricky places like the Faroes and won and then we came from behind to get what turned out to be a massive point at home to Hungary.”

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KYLE LAFFERTY

Lafferty believes the team and the squad have improved since the European qualifying campaign. “We have been scoring goals, we’ve only conceded twice and we are confident we can change our game to suit any eventuality,” he insisted. Lafferty’s seven goals played a huge role in qualification for France last summer but the defence have been the stars of the Russia World Cup 2018 campaign. Going into this weekend’s double header the only goals conceded - two of them - came in Germany, making Northern Ireland one of the meanest defences in Europe. Lafferty added: “Our defence have been incredible. A lot of the time it’s goalscorers who get the headlines and plaudits but we can’t overstate what the defence have done in this campaign. To concede so few goals against quality opposition is incredible. “But we really aren’t surprised. With the players we have in that position it shouldn’t surprise anyone that they have been capable of that. “When you are hard to beat it makes life so much easier for the strikers because we know if we can take our chances there is a good possibility we will win games. More often than not that is exactly what we are doing now and long may that continue.” The former Rangers and Norwich City ace is enjoying a new lease of life since moving back to Scotland with Hearts during the summer. He’s playing regularly and scoring and he reckons the move will be good not only for his club career but Northern Ireland as well. “I couldn’t be happier at Hearts,” said Lafferty. “Everyone knows it has been a really frustrating few years for me at club level and now I feel I’m at a club where hopefully I will make a difference. “I was delighted to score just before coming away on the international break and with the way we play I’m sure there will be more to come. “Playing every week has been good for me even though we are only in the first month of the season. “Like any footballer I’m happiest when I’m contributing to the side and I’m sure if I can do well at Hearts this season it will only help me with Northern Ireland, too.”

Position Striker Date Of Birth 16.09.1987 Place Of Birth Enniskillen

STRIKER

Height 193cm Weight 69kg

CLUB RECORD

9

SQUAD NO

CLUBS Burnley

83

Darlington (loan)

9

Rangers

104

Sion

25 34 31 14

Palermo

Norwich City

Çaykur Rizespor (loan) Birmingham City (loan) Heart of Midlothian

6 4

Caps 62 Goals 20 INTERNATIONAL RECORD 10 SQUAD NO Debut 21.05.2006 v Uruguay (A) Lost 0-1

Northern Ireland U17 Northern Ireland U19 Northern Ireland U21 Northern Ireland B

5 6 2 1

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SANMARINO 0 NORTHERN IRELAND 3 Magennis 70', 75', Davis 78'pen

2018 WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFYING GROUP C 01.09.2017 San Marino Stadium

STATS

POSSESSION %

22

78

SHOTS

1

31

SHOTS ON TARGET

0

9

CORNERS

0

11

FOULS

14

10

1 Simoncini 4 Biordi 6 Simoncini 21 Palazzi 8 Bonini 14 Cervellini 13 Battistini 10 Grandoni 17 Berardi 16 Rinaldi 18 Bernardi Substitutes 2 Cesarini 3 D'Addario 5 Vitaioli 7 Gasperoni 9 Stefanelli 11 Berretti 12 Muraccini 15 Cevoli 19 Tosi 20 Golinucci 22 Tomassini 23 Manzaroli TEAMS

1 McGovern 2 McLaughlin 18 Hughes 5 Evans 11 Brunt 21 Magennis 16 Norwood 8 Davis 14 Dallas 9 Washington 10 Lafferty 3 Ferguson 4 Flanagan 6 Hodson 7 McGinn 12 Mannus 13 Evans 15 Paton 17 McLaughlin 19 McCartan 20 Lafferty 22 Thompson 23 Carroll Substitutes

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Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km). Vauxhall Corsa Limited Edition 1.4i (75PS) ecoFLEX: Urban: 41.5 (6.8), Extra-urban: 65.7 (4.3), Combined: 54.3 (5.2). CO 2 emissions: 120g/km. # #Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. Official EU-regulated test data is providedforcomparisonpurposesandactualperformancewilldependondrivingstyle,roadconditionsandothernon-technicalfactors.GeneralMotorsUKLimited t/a Vauxhall Motors reserves the right to change, amend or withdraw this offer at any point in time. Correct at time of going to press.

SANMARINO 0 NORTHERN IRELAND 3

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NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD

ROY CARROLL GOALKEEPER

MICHAEL McGOVERN GOALKEEPER

ALAN MANNUS GOALKEEPER

BAILEY PEACOCK-FARRELL GOALKEEPER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Linfield

Norwich City

St Johnstone

Leeds United

Age 39

Caps 45

Goals 0

Age 33

Caps 22

Goals 0

Age 34

Caps 9

Goals 0

Age 20

Caps 0

Goals 0

CHRIS BRUNT DEFENDER

JONNY EVANS DEFENDER

TOM FLANAGAN DEFENDER

LEE HODSON DEFENDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion

Burton Albion

Glasgow Rangers

Age 32

Caps 59

Goals 2

Age 29

Caps 61

Goals 1

Age 25

Caps 1

Goals 0

Age 25

Caps 20

Goals 0

DANIEL LAFFERTY DEFENDER

RYAN McLAUGHLIN DEFENDER

CONOR McLAUGHLIN DEFENDER

AARON HUGHES DEFENDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Sheffield United

Oldham Athletic

Millwall

Heart of Midlothian

Age 28

Caps 13

Goals 0

Age 22

Caps 3

Goals 0

Age 26

Caps 26

Goals 1

Age 37

Caps 106

Goals 1

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ADAM THOMPSON DEFENDER

STEVEN DAVIS MIDFIELDER

MICHAEL SMITH DEFENDER

STUART DALLAS MIDFIELDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Heart of Midlothian

Bradford City*

Leeds United

Southampton

Age 28

Caps 1

Goals 0

Age 24

Caps 2

Goals 0

Age 26

Caps 22

Goals 2

Age 32

Caps 95

Goals 9

*on loan from Bury

CORRY EVANS FORWARD

SHANE FERGUSON MIDFIELDER

MATTHEW LUND MIDFIELDER

NIALL McGINN MIDFIELDER

OLIVER NORWOOD MIDFIELDER

Club

Club

Club

Club

Club

Blackburn Rovers

Millwall

Burton Albion

Gwangju

Fulham*

Age 27

Caps 39

Goals 1

Age 26

Caps 31

Goals 1

Age 26

Caps 3

Goals 0

Age 30

Caps 52

Goals 3

Age 26

Caps 46

Goals 0

*on loan fromBrightonandHoveAlbion

KYLE LAFFERTY FORWARD

JOSH MAGENNIS FORWARD

SHAY McCARTAN FORWARD

CONOR WASHINGTON FORWARD

PAUL PATON MIDFIELDER

Club

Club

Club

QPR Age 25 Club

Club

Heart of Midlothian

Charlton Athletic

Bradford City

St Johnstone

Age 23

Caps 1

Goals 0

Caps 10

Goals 3

Age 29

Caps 62

Goals 20

Age 26

Caps 29

Goals 1

Age 30

Caps 4

Goals 0

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Words: Darren Fullerton, Daily Mirror

CONOR IS HAVING A ROARING TIME…

How apt that a Millwall new boy should embody the National Football Stadium’s growing reputation as a Lions’ Den.

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Conor McLaughlin, who signed for the South London club nine weeks ago, has yet to experience a qualifying defeat at the stadium. Of his seven competitive appearances on home soil so far, the attack-minded right back has won five and drawn two. Time flies and memories merge but the fact remains Northern Ireland last suffered a home qualifying defeat almost four years ago to the day. The date was 6 September in 2013 when a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick inspired Portugal to a 4-2 win during the 2014 World Cup campaign. Since then Michael O'Neill's men have won six and drawn two of their last eight qualifiers in south Belfast dating back to the start of the Euro 2016 campaign. During the present World Cup campaign the team have put Norway (2-0), Azerbaijan (4-0) and San Marino (4-0) to the sword at the National Football Stadium. McLaughlin is eager to extend the positive sequence in tonight's crucial showdown with the Czech Republic. The 26-year-old, who joined Millwall from Fleetwood Town in July, said: “We've had a lot of success at home and hopefully that continues. All the lads love playing at home and the crowd plays a massive part in that. “Teams don't really like coming to play in Belfast because they know they're going to be under a lot of pressure, not only in terms of how we play but also because the crowd is on top of them. “Confidence is high at home and we now go into these games expecting to win. We approach them expecting to get results.” With Northern Ireland chasing down a second place finish behind Germany in Group C, McLaughlin believes it would be a “massive achievement” to seal a World Cup play-off slot. The eight best runners-up in the nine European qualifying groups will progress to the draw for November's two-legged shootout for Russia.

McLaughlin said: “It would be huge because we were drawn in a pool with a lot of strong teams. It was always going to be a difficult task. “At the start of the campaign we knew we'd probably be one of four teams competing for second spot but we've given ourselves a chance. “We have a tough run-in as we face the Czechs, Germany and Norway in our last three qualifiers but we can't look too far ahead. “Our full focus is on this fixture and it's an important game because the Czechs have been our direct rivals for second place. We'll do everything we can to get the result we need.” McLaughlin admits it was a tough decision ending a five-year association with Fleetwood in the summer, however the lure of Championship football proved too strong. While Town lost in the League One play-offs, Millwall – including Northern Ireland team mate Shane Ferguson – reached the Wembley final where they beat Bradford City. McLaughlin said: “I was at Fleetwood a long time so it was tough leaving but I felt the next step for me was the Championship. I wanted to test myself there. “It's great Shane is also at Millwall and he has helped me settle in. It's been great so far and performance-wise we've been unlucky not to get more wins.”

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CONOR McLAUGHLIN

Position Right Back Date Of Birth 26.07.1981 Place Of Birth

RIGHT BACK

Belfast Height 183cm Weight 71kg

CLUB RECORD

2

SQUAD NO

CLUBS Preston North End

24

Shrewsbury Town (loan)

4

Fleetwood Town

172

Millwall

4

Caps 26 Goals 1 INTERNATIONAL RECORD 2 SQUAD NO Debut 11.10.2011 v Italy (A) Lost 0-3

Northern Ireland U16 Northern Ireland U17 Northern Ireland U19 Northern Ireland U21

9 9

14

7

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DID YOU KNOW?

Words: Marshall Gillespie

Northern Ireland have previously played 12

internationals on a Monday though only two of them have taken place at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. The first was against Hungary on 7 September 2015 when Kyle Lafferty hit a dramatic 92nd-minute equaliser, a result which went a long way to ensuring qualification for Euro 2016. The only other game was in March last year when Conor

Washington scored on his home debut to secure a 1-0 friendly win over Slovenia.

The top Northern Ireland scorers in England and Scotland during 2016-17 were: Liam Boyce (Ross County) 24 in 40 games Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley) 15 in 46 games Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) 13 in 50 games Shay McCartan (Accrington Stanley) 11 in 39 games

England striker Gary Lineker never received a yellow or red card during his eight-year international career which spanned 88 games. Likewise our very own Niall McGinn has yet to earn the wrath of referees in his 52 appearances to date for Northern Ireland.

This evening will be the sixth time that we will have played Czech Republic in a full international. Northern Ireland have failed to win any of the previous five meetings although the last three games between the countries have all ended in scoreless draws. Our full record against the Czechs is: 04.09.16 Prague (WCQ) drew 0-0 14.10.09 Prague (WCQ) drew 0-0 10.09.08 Belfast (WCQ) drew 0-0 06.06.01 Teplice (WCQ) lost 1-3 24.03.01 Belfast (WCQ) lost 0-1

The last player to score on his international debut for Northern Ireland was defender George McCartney who headed home a Keith Gillespie cross in a 3-0 success against Iceland at Windsor Park on 5 September 2001 (exactly 16 years ago tomorrow).

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Steven Davis has played 45 of his 95 international matches at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. To date he has been on the winning side 23 times and tasted defeat on just 13 occasions. The Southampton midfielder is now catching up with stalwart defender Aaron Hughes who has played 54 of his 106 matches in Belfast.

Northern Ireland have scored 32 goals in 20 matches at the National Football Stadium during Michael O’Neill’s tenure. Those goals have been spread among 14 players with, not surprisingly, Kyle Lafferty leading the way with nine. His nearest challenger is skipper Steven Davis who has managed four, including a memorable brace against Greece that sealed a place at Euro 2016.

Northern Ireland have played international matches on 4 September on five previous occasions, winning one, drawing one and losing three. The full list is: 2016 v Czech Republic (a) WCQ drew 0-0 2015 v Faroe Islands (a) ECQ won 3-1 2004 v Poland (h) WCQ lost 0-3 1999 v Turkey (h) ECQ lost 0-3 1974 v Norway (a) ECQ lost 1-2

At the time of writing Ollie Norwood is still awaiting his first full international goal. However, the on-loan Fulham midfielder has managed to score on the international stage - in an under-21 fixture against the Czech Republic. It came on 17 November 2009 when he curled home a wonderful free-kick in a qualifying encounter at the Ballymena Showgrounds (NB: all statistics were correct prior to San Marino game on Friday).

If Ryan McLaughlin manages to find the net for Northern Ireland he will become the first Oldham Athletic player to score for ‘our wee country’ since Billy Johnston got on the scoresheet in a 4-1 friendly victory over Mexico on 22 June 1966.

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Whenever the lads in green begin a World Cup or European Championship campaign I make a wish that we will be in with a shout at the end. WINOR BUST GAMES HOWWE LOVE THEM!

Kyle Lafferty gets set to celebrate moments after his last gasp goal against Hungary in Belfast in September 2015.

What I am longing for is that my favourite team’s hope of qualifying will still be alive with just two or three games to go. If this happens it means that there will be win or bust games when both teams are desperate for the points and when success is within our grasp - if we only dig deep and go for it. Tonight’s game is definitely win or bust for both us and our Czech visitors. I relish the ‘cup final’ atmosphere of clashes like this.

Michael O’Neill’s first campaign in charge ended with Northern Ireland well off the pace in our World Cup group. But Michael used that series of matches to work on team spirit off the pitch and to devise an effective game plan on it. His second campaign was the one where it all came together right from the start with Kyle Lafferty grabbing a late winner against Hungary in Budapest.

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So successful was Michael’s shrewd coaching that in the autumn of 2015 we faced the possibility of qualifying for the Euros with two games in hand. However, it was never a foregone conclusion. Our visitors with three games to go, the Hungarians, were no pushovers. They too fancied their chances of qualifying. I have a personal story about this game. I went to the match with my mate Charlie. Afterwards our wives met us at the railway station with long faces. The latest score they had heard was that Hungary were a goal up and Northern Ireland were reduced to 10 men. “Too bad lads,” they said. “You didn’t win the cup, so we’ll have a cup of tea to drown your sorrows.” “Didn’t you hear?” we replied. “Lafferty equalised with the last kick. It means that we have another cup final next month. We will make no mistake then.” The rest is history. The following month a Greek team high on ability, but low on morale because they were not in with a shout, came to Windsor and were swept aside by the green avalanche hungry for success. Our visitors tonight are definitely in with a shout and unquestionably no pushovers. They gave us a torrid time in Prague and we were happy to come away with a point. What is more, for us old timers, the appearance of the Czechs reminds us of exciting clashes in the past. I have vivid memories of the Czech team who came in the spring of 2001 with man mountain Jan Koller leading their attack and with arguably the best player in Europe, team captain Pavel Nedved, as playmaker.

We had high hopes of winning, especially since a young newcomer from Killyleagh called David Healy was showing promise as a goalscorer (does anyone know whatever became of him?) However, in the drizzle of that dreary Belfast afternoon the amazing Nedved bossed the midfield and scored the only goal of the game himself. For really old old timers (like me) another memory springs to mind whenever a Czech team takes the field against Northern Ireland. The game was in the World Cup Finals against Czechoslovakia in Malmo on 17 June, 1958. The Czechs were formidable opponents, whose midfield boasted Masopust and Bubernik, rated among the best in Europe. It was a real win or bust game, a play-off between two teams who had finished the group stage on equal points. After 90 minutes the score was 1-1 and the game went into extra time. As they waited for the game to restart Billy Bingham suggested to captain Danny Blanchflower that the team should get off the turf where they were lying exhausted and start doing exercises and stretches to make their opponents think that they were less tired than they actually were. The rest is history. A Peter McParland goal put Northern Ireland into the quarter-finals. So again we face the wizards from central Europe in a crunch game which both teams need to win. This is the kind of match we fans love to be part of. Bring it on! Words: Cunningham Peacock

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HUGHES INSURANCE IRISH FA HALLOWEEN FOOTBALL CAMPS FoR boyS ANd GIRlS AGEd 5-13

o CtobER /N ovEmbER 2017

NUMBER OF CHILDREN (FROM ONE FAMILY) ONLINE PRICE 1 Child £15.00 2 Children £25.00 3 Children £35.00

Book online at: www.irishfa.com/footballcamps

Karel Jarolim admitted he faced a “daunting task” in looking to restore the fortunes of a proud footballing nation when he took over at the helm last year. CZECH REPUBLIC THE COACH

The Czech Republic head coach was appointed to the role in July 2016 following the resignation of Pavel Vrba and the country’s failure to get beyond the group stage of Euro 2016. It had been a desperately disappointing tournament as the Czechs failed to live up to pre- tournament expectations. They finished bottom of their group, losing 1-0 to Spain, drawing 2-2 with Croatia with two late goals, and then losing 2-0 to Turkey.  Adding to the relatively new coach’s woes are the loss from the national team of goalkeeper and captain Petr Cech (124 caps) and injury-plagued midfield maestro Tomas Rosicky (105 caps). Playmaker Rosicky, nicknamed The Little Mozart, is back with Sparta Prague after a year out which included an achilles tendon injury last March. The odds look against a qualification for Russia 2018, with the team missing a chance to put themselves back in contention for runners-up spot when they conceded a late, late goal to draw 1-1 in Norway back in June, while Northern Ireland

grabbed all three points against Azerbaijan in Baku with that 92nd minute goal from Stuart Dallas. As a player Karel Jarolim operated as a midfielder for Slavia Prague (1980-87) as well as in France with Rouen (1987-1990) and Amiens before returning to Slavia in 1991. He won 13 caps (two goals) for the former Czechoslovakia between 1982 and 1987, retiring as a player in 1995. The national coach has been in charge of Slavia Prague three times: in the 2000-2001 season; from 2005 to 2010, and he returned for a few games in 2010-11. Jarolim also coached in Saudi Arabia from 2010 to 2013 before returning to the Czech Republic. He took over as boss at Mlada Boleslav in 2014, winning the Czech Cup in 2016, before taking up his current role. His son David played in midfield against Northern Ireland in a World Cup 2010 qualifier. The game in October 2009 in Prague ended 0-0.. Words: Roy Kitson

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CZECH REPUBLIC PLAYERS TOWATCH

Words: Roy Kitson

CLASSY KEEPER The 6ft 2ins stopper has taken over the Czech goalkeeper mantle from the legendary Petr Cech. Was in the squad for Euro 2016 but did not play. Has played for Basel since May 2014, signing from Sparta Prague, with whom he had just won the league and cup double. He has been a regular with the Swiss side ever since, winning three league titles (2015, 2016 and 2017) and one cup final (2017). Has a contract until June 2021 with Basel where he plays alongside fellow Czech international Marek Suchy, who is a central defender. Played at home against Northern Ireland U21s eight years ago when the Czechs won 2-0 against a team which included Josh Magennis. Also played in the return match at Ballymena which the Czechs won 2-1; Liam Boyce and Magennis were unused subs. Made his senior international debut in November 2012 in a 3–0 friendly victory against Slovakia. Played against Northern Ireland in Prague last September, and has been between the posts for all the WC 2018 qualifiers since. ATTACKING DEFENDER The 6ft defender occupies a right back or wing back role for club and country. Moved from Slovan Liberec to Bundesliga club Werder Bremen in June 2012, after playing in Euro 2012. Has since played almost 150 league games, scoring 12 goals. With Slovan Liberec he won the Czech League in 2012. Exceptionally gifted, he stands out with his skill, his marauding runs forward and pinpoint crosses. A good football brain sees him always join a forward move at the right time and track back again when needed. He became the first player of African descent to play for the Czech Republic, making his debut in June 2011 as a sub in a goalless draw against Peru in Japan. At Euro 2012 he started all four games as the Czechs won their group before losing to Portugal in the last eight. Scored his first international goal in October 2012 in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malta (3-1 win). Has played in three WC 2018 qualifiers, scoring two goals, against San Marino and Norway. A RUNNING BACK Kaderabek, an attacking right back, moved to Hoffenheim in 2015 from Sparta Prague. And he has played over 50 league games for the Bundesliga club to date. The 6ft 1ins defender made his senior international debut in May 2014 in a friendly against Finland. He scored his first goal for the Czech Republic in Plzen in a 2–1 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying win against Iceland in November 2014 and his second in October 2015 in Amsterdam in a 3-2 win over the Netherlands. Played in all three Euro 2016 group games. Played against Northern Ireland last September in Prague, and had played in four WC 2018 qualifiers up to the match at home to Germany last week.

THOMAS VACLIK GOALKEEPER

Club FC Basel

Age 28

Caps 11

Goals 0

THEODOR GEBRE SELASSIE DEFENDER Goals 3 Club Werder Bremen Age 30 Caps 43

PAVEL KADERABEK DEFENDER Goals 2 Club 1899 Hoffenheim Age 25 Caps 25

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MIDFIELD DYNAMO Attacking central midfielder Darida joined Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin in the summer of 2015 from relegated Freiburg. Previously with Viktoria Plzeň, he also spent time on loan at FK Baník Sokolov in 2011. Joined Freiburg in 2013. Recently turned down a chance to join Monaco, signing a contract with Hertha until 2021. He is a model professional and a tireless worker who never stops running and always gives 100%, according to his club coach Pal Darda. Darida was included in the Czech squad for the Euro 2012 tournament and earned his second cap in the quarter-final match against Portugal, his first in an official tournament, starting in place of the injured Tomas Rosicky. He was substituted after 61 minutes as the Czech Republic lost 1–0. The engine of the team, he played against Northern Ireland last September and missed the best chance of the match after just four minutes and another opportunity just before the interval. Has played in three WC 2018 qualifiers, scoring two goals, both away to San Marino, one a penalty. COOL HEAD The 6ft 2ins centre back, who can also play as a defensive central midfielder, has bags of experience. He has played for Basel since January 2014. Prior to that he spent four years with Spartak Moscow. He is a key player for Basel. He has won the Swiss Superleague title with them in the past four years. Played in four Euro 2016 qualifiers. Captained Czech Republic against Northern Ireland last September and has played in one other WC 2018 qualifier - the 3-0 defeat away to Germany back in October.  Coach Jarolim said he was looking to the experience and cool head of Suchy in what he described as the “make or break games” against Germany and Northern Ireland.

VLADIMIR DARIDA MIDFIELDER Club Hertha Berlin

Age 27

Caps 45

Goals 0

MAREK SUCHY DEFENDER Club FC Basel

Age 29

Caps 32

Goals 1

SHOOTING STAR A lively attacker who can operate as the main striker, as he does for his club, or just behind the front man. Also comfortable on the right or left flank. Right-footed and strong in the air, he was top scorer with 10 goals in 26 league games for Viktoria Plzen and a key component of last season’s league winning team. Plzen are currently top of the table after four games with a 100% record. Made a scoring international debut in November 2016 in Prague against Norway, netting the first goal in a 2-1 win. Also scored the fifth goal in the 6-0 win away to San Marino back in March.

MICHAEL KRMENCIK FORWARD Club Viktoria Plzen

Age 24

Caps 6

Goals 4

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CZECH REPUBLIC FACTFILE

Words: Roy Kitson

The International Stage On the international scene Czechoslovakia, and since 1994 Czech Republic, have been at the forefront of football in Europe and indeed in the world. Czechoslovakia were runners-up in the first World Cup they entered in 1934, losing 2-1 to hosts Italy after extra time in Rome, and runners-up again in 1962 when they were defeated 3-1 by Brazil in Santiago, Chile. They also reached the quarter- finals in 1938 and 1990. And Czechoslovakia are former European champions. They won the Euros trophy when they defeated favourites Germany in Belgrade in 1976 on penalty kicks. A cheeky spot-kick by midfielder Antonin Panenka against famous German keeper Sepp Maier gave the trophy to the underdogs after the teams had scored two apiece in the 90 minutes and extra time had brought no further goals. As the Czech Republic they were runners-up in Euro ’96 to Germany. Oliver Bierhoff’s ‘Golden Goal’ defeated coach Dusan Uhrin’s side 2-1 at Wembley. Following that the Czech Republic qualified for Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands but failed to get beyond the group stages. Under coach Karel Bruckner they qualified for Euro 2004 in Portugal, reaching the semi-finals. They beat Latvia 2-1, Netherlands 3-2 and Germany 2-1 in the group games, then Denmark 3-0, before losing to eventual winners Greece 1-0 in the last four. In 2006 Bruckner took them to the World Cup finals in Germany where they did not make it out of the group. Two years later they qualified for Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria but an unfortunate blunder by Petr Cech led to a 3-2 defeat against Turkey and meant that they did not progress to the last eight. In 2010 and 2014 they failed to qualify for the World Cup finals but had better fortune in Euro 2012 in Poland/Ukraine, reaching the quarter-finals as group winners after losing 4-1 to Russia, but then

defeating Greece 2-1 and Poland 1-0. They lost 1-0 to Portugal in the quarter-final. At Euro 2016 in France a defeat against Spain (1-0), a 1-1 draw with Croatia and a defeat to Turkey (2-0) saw them finish last in their group. 60 years ago – Peter Doherty’s men shock Czechs twice! This evening’s match marks the eighth meeting between Northern Ireland and a team from the former Czechoslovakia and what is now the Czech Republic. And all eight encounters will have been World Cup games, starting with the 1958 World Cup Finals in Sweden. Back in ’58 Peter Doherty was in charge when Northern Ireland made their first ever appearance on the biggest stage in international football and ended up recording two victories against Czechoslovakia. The underdogs from Northern Ireland defeated the Czechs 1-0, lost 3-1 against Argentina and drew 2-2 with West Germany before defeating odds-on favourites Czechoslovakia again in a play-off (2-1). That win meant they qualified for the last eight, where they lost 4-0 to France.  Czech greats Since the split with Slovakia in 1992, the Czech Republic have qualified for the final stages of every European Championship, with their best performance coming in 2004 when they reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Greece 1-0 in extra time. They have qualified for one World Cup Finals tournament - in Germany in 2006 - but went out in the group stage. The odds are against them achieving a place in Russia 2018. Over the years the country has produced some top class players, including the following super six (who all played against Northern Ireland between 2001 and 2009):

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Pavel Nedved

Petr Cech 2002-2016 124 caps, conceded 73 goals, 37 clean sheets Most capped player in Czech history and rated one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Played a vital role in Chelsea’s ‘golden era’ under Jose Mourinho. The 6ft 5ins keeper was voted Czech Footballer of the Year nine times. Retired from the national team after Euro 2016. Cech played against Northern Ireland on four occasions, in two U21 Euros qualifiers and in both WC 2010 qualifiers. In 2004-05 he set a Premier League record of not conceding a goal for 1025 minutes. At Chelsea he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one World Club Cup title, a Europa League title and one Champions League title.  With Arsenal he won the FA Cup in 2016-17. Jan Koller 1999-2009, 91 caps, 55 goals The 6ft 8ins striker was a superb header of the ball and also possessed a strong shot. He tops the all-time top scorer charts for the Czech Republic national team. Also enjoyed a successful career at club level, especially with Anderlecht, where he won the Belgian League championship twice (2000 and 2001), and with Borussia Dortmund with whom he won the Bundesliga in 2002. Koller twice played against Northern Ireland - in WC A gifted, hard working two-footed midfielder with a never-say-die spirit, Nedved won respect as one of the best foreign players in the history of Serie A when he played for Lazio (1996-2001) and Juventus (2001-2009). The 5ft 10ins dynamo was a key member of the Czech team which reached the final of Euro 1996 and captained the national team at Euro 2004, where they were defeated in the semi-final by eventual champions Greece. He won the Cup Winners’ Cup, Serie A and Italian Cup with Lazio and two Serie A titles with Juventus. He played against Northern Ireland in the qualifiers for WC 2002, scoring the only goal of the game in Belfast, and in the return in Teplice (3-1). 2002 qualifiers. Pavel Nedved 1991-2006, 91 caps, 18 goals

Karel Poborsky 1994-2006, 118 caps, 8 goals Winger with all the skills who scored clever goals. Key player for the Czech team which reached Euro 1996 in England where he played in all the games as the Czechs reached the final where they lost in extra time to Germany. Scored a memorable winning goal in the quarter-final against Portugal (1-0), coolly lobbing the ball over the head of the keeper.  And ‘Poborsky's Lob’ was judged the most beautiful goal in the tournament.  Won the Premier League title in 1997 with Manchester United. Played in both 2002 WC qualifiers against Northern Ireland. Tomas Rosicky 2000-2016, 105 caps, 23 goals Superbly gifted midfield playmaker who, after five years with Borussia Dortmund, joined Arsenal in 2006 and returned to the Czech Republic in 2016 after injury problems limited his appearances. In Germany his ability to control and orchestrate play earned him the nickname The Little Mozart, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger praised his “special talent". At Euro 2016 Rosicky became the oldest player to represent Czech Republic in a European Championship Finals at the age of 35. He also holds the record for being the youngest player to have done so, having played at Euro 2000 as a 19-year-old. Played against Northern Ireland in the WC 2010 qualifier in Prague (0-0). Milan Baros 2000-2012, 93 caps, 41 goals Milan Baros's best individual achievement was finishing top scorer at Euro 2004. In the tournament he scored five goals and helped his country reach the semi-finals. Throughout his career Baros had great goal scoring instincts. He was also quite successful at club level. He won a Champions League, an FA Cup, a Ligue 1 title and a Turkish League title. Played against Northern Ireland in both WC 2010 qualifiers, and also in two Euro U21 qualifiers in 2001.

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