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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.
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.
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.
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