Thank Evans for Corry as Worthy's men shine
GARETH FULLERTON reflects on Northern Ireland's superb away win in Slovenia
LITTLE over a year ago Corry Evans was guiding Northern Ireland's Under 20 youngsters to another Milk Cup triumph at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
The Manchester United fledgling was an instrumental part of Steve Beaglehole's squad that claimed back-to-back Elite crowns at the prestigious north west tournament.
Fast forward 14 months and the 20-year-old has become the new darling of our country's football fans.
It is doubtful whether Evans will have caught much sleep last night after his 70th-minute goal sealed what was a truly memorable win for Nigel Worthington's side in Maribor.
Memorable because it was Northern Ireland's first away win in 15 games, and only their fourth in 26 competitive outings.
The previous three came against footballing underdogs Finland, Liechtenstein and San Marino.
Hardly much to shout about.
Slovenia certainly don't fall into that bracket, with Matjaz Kek's side having narrowly missed out on the knockout stages of this summer's World Cup Finals in South Africa.
The mental hurdle that Worthington's squad scaled last night shouldn't be underestimated, bearing in the mind the statistical farce that preceded their showdown with Slovenia.
No wins in their last 10 international fixtures, and no goals in the previous seven, did little to inspire confidence.
If anything it predicted another night of abject failure for Nigel's lads.
And for 70 long minutes in Maribor it looked as if they would be grinded into submission, just like they were two years ago at the same venue when Slovenia earned a late 2-0 win in a World Cup qualifier.
Not many would have predicted a revenge story of this magnitude, but maybe it is time for the shackles to be cast off.
Northern Ireland have long felt oppressed by the weight of history and self doubt when they approach a new qualifying campaign.
But why should either problem pose any threat to their dream of reaching Poland and Ukraine in two years' time?
Last night proved that, courtesy of a phenomenal performance from every man and boy who donned the green jersey.
The unthinkable triumph was built on the foundations of some heroic defending from skipper and 50-cap man Stephen Craigan.
Craigan, with regular captain Aaron Hughes by his side, marshalled defensive compatriots Gareth McAuley and debutant Craig Cathcart, thwarting everything the slick Slovenians threw at them.
Just ahead of them, Steven Davis and Chris Baird patrolled the midfield zone to allow Chris Brunt and Grant McCann a degree of carteblanche down the flanks.
Warren Feeney and David Healy were given the thankless task of hunting down every long punt forward as they looked to keep the hosts on the back foot.
Northern Ireland's old guard will probably earn few headlines this morning, but who would deny Evans his moment in the spotlight?
In the build-up to last night's Euro opener Worthington was at pains to defend his policy of giving young players their chance on the elite stage.
Evans backed that ethos up with his match-winning antics.
And now Northern Ireland's fans can dare to dream again, albeit with a degree of caution.
Last night's win sets up a mammoth showdown with Italy at Windsor Park on October 8, followed by an away trip to the Faroe Islands four days later.
Italy edged a narrow 2-1 victory over Estonia last night – having to come from behind - once again confirming they are very much a footballing nation in transition.
And now with Worthington's side having discarded the psychological scarring of a dire away record in qualifiers, they can now take their new-found confidence and have a go at the wilting Azzurri in Belfast.
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Monday 13 February 2012
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