Euro 2016 Qualifying Summary - Round 1

I find it very hard to believe that it has been almost 2 months since Philip Lahm lifted the Jules-Rimet trophy for Germany and now, the Home Nations embark on another mission to reach the 2016 European Championships in France. With everyone playing away from home, the nations from the Emerald Isles kicked off the qualifiers and both delivered impressive performances:

Kyle Lafferty celebrating 88th minute winner 

Northern Ireland travelled to Budapest to take on Hungary in the newly opened FTC Groupama Arena. Things started positively but Northern Irish fans thought it was normal service resumed when former Watford man, Tamas Priskin headed the ball past Roy Carroll. The equaliser came 7 minutes later when Kyle Lafferty squared the ball after a dazzling run and substitute Niall McGinn was on hand to slot into an empty net. Lafferty turned scorer as he was able to bundle a cross into the back of the net and take the three points back to Belfast. The Green and White Army will be spurred on by this pleasing result and a terrific performance to go with it and could this be the year where they qualify for their first ever European Championship? I certainly hope so!  Windsor Park hosts the next qualifier against the Faroe Islands on the 11th October.



Aiden McGeady beats the Georgian keeper

Our Southern friends, and Aiden McGeady in particular were able to stage a fine performance in a 2-1 win over Georgia in Tbilisi. McGeady, assisted by James McCarthy, scored his first goal on 33 minutes through a left footed shot inside the box into the back of the net. Their lead didn't last too long as the Georgians equalised 4 minutes later through a shot from Tornike Okriashvili outside the box. After the break, the home side decided to up the ante and continued to press but were unable to get past a solid Irish defence and test 'keeper, David Forde. Similar to their Northern counterparts, it took a late strike from McGeady to seal the 3 points and an unbeaten start to the campaign. A home game against Gibraltar awaits O'Neill's men on 11th October.

 

Ikechi Anya in disbelief having equalised with Germany

Scotland certainly had the hardest task of the Home Nations as they travelled to the Signal Iduna Stadium to take on the World Champions. 5000 hardy Scotsman made the journey to Dortmund on Sunday evening and chorus' of  "Flower of Scotland" were heard throughout the night. As per usual, Thomas Muller was a nightmare to mark and it the Bayern man 18 minutes to open the Germans account after a looping header over stranded David Marshall. Scotland did have chances but Steven Naismith was unable to convert from on 48 minutes. Winger, Ikechi Anya had plenty of joy down the left flank and was able to capitalise when debutant, Sebastian Rudy was caught out of position to equalise. Thomas Muller netted his second minutes later after a classic Sunday league scramble in the box with a toe into the roof of the net. Scotland, spurred on by the Tartan Army, pushed for an equaliser but to no avail. They take on Georgia in their next match.



Danny Welbeck scores his second goal of the night.

After a rather shambolic turnout at the World Cup and a poor performance against Norway on Friday, England had to build bridges and prepare for 2016. Many, included myself, expected England to struggle against the Swiss, however a solid team performance guided England to a 2-0 victory in Basel. Both teams had chances in the opening exchanges but it wasn't until a counter-attack from England in the 58th minute that saw the deadlock being broken when Danny Welbeck was able to convert a swift English counter. Switzerland were knocking on the English door but a Joe Hart halted proceedings. Sub, Josip Drmic had a magnificient opportunity but Gary Cahill pulled off a terrific goal line block to keep England's goal intact. Welbeck put the game beyond doubt 2 minutes from time with a side foot shot into the bottom of the net.

 

 

Gareth Bale celebrating his winner over Andorra

The last of my featured games is Wales' trip to the principality in the Pyrenees, Andorra expecting a routine victory. However Andorra obviously had not read the script as they took the lead with a penalty in the opening exchanges, their first competitive goal in 4 years. Wales found the principality difficult to break down but a superb early cross from Ben Davies allowed Gareth Bale to leap like salmon and guide the ball into the opposite corner of the net. For much of the second half Andorra frustrated Wales with their time wasting and rough tackles and it was evident that this did have an affect on the professionals. Eventually, with 10 minutes left, Bale stepped up and lashed a venomous free kick into the back of the net. Much improvement will be needed as the Welshmen face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their next match.

 

Excellent displays from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland grants them a platform to build on while Scotland can take heart from a terrific performance against the World Champions. England seem to be heading in the right direction and Wales have plenty of work to be doing on the training field after being bailed out by their talisman.