Wales defeat Northern Ireland in a drab game watched by 529 - 7M sport

Wales defeat Northern Ireland in a drab game watched by 529



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Posted Saturday, May 28, 2011 by theguardian.com

Wales defeat Northern Ireland in a drab game watched by 529
Aaron Ramsey scored Wales's first goal against Northern Ireland, which condemned the Ulstermen to bottom place.

Only something extraordinary on the field of play would divert from the biggest story surrounding this game: the paltry crowd. That something did not arrive; this was drab, dire stuff.

No more than a bus-load of Northern Ireland fans – around 50 – a tiny pocket of those following Wales – thought to number 161 – and a few intrigued neutrals completed a crowd reported as 529.

The rights and wrongs, the motivations for people staying away, have been debated fully over the past week. What is at least abundantly clear is that something, somewhere, went wildly wrong in the planning of the Carling Nations Cup. An international fixture had the feel of a non-league game.

Wales have ensured tonight's opponents will finish bottom of the competition's table, Aaron Ramsey's first-half goal and one later from Robert Earnshaw condemning Northern Ireland to a pointless campaign.

For the Wales manager, Gary Speed, this was a first victory of his tenure. He, at least, has cause to remember the occasion beyond how ridiculous it looked.

There was no disguising the farcical scene. A tame encounter was almost inevitable given the lack of atmosphere and a crowd that some teams in the League of Ireland would sniff at.

Wales had the more experienced side and the one with greater talent. Worried bookmakers had slashed odds on a Welsh victory owing to the lack of resources at the disposal of Nigel Worthington, Northern Ireland's manager.

Ramsey had already missed a glaring chance from close range and Craig Bellamy had flicked a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar by the time the Arsenal midfielder opened the scoring.

Ramsey lashed home from 15 yards after Johnny Tuffey, the Northern Ireland goalkeeper, could only punch a Bellamy cross out to his feet.

Wales were comfortable but it took until 68 minutes for them to double the advantage given to them by their captain. Earnshaw, who had replaced Bellamy, turned inside Colin Coates and supplied an impressive finish.

Earnshaw's latest goal for his country moves him into the position of the sixth top scorer in Welsh international history. It was another figure, though, that was the more prominent in people's minds.

Northern Ireland 4-4-2: Tuffey; Hodson, Coates, McAuley, Cathcart (Dallas 63); Carson, Garrett (Winchester 76), Norwood, Gorman; McGinn (Owens 80), Feeney (Boyce 73).

Wales 4-4-2: Hennessy (Price 75); Gunter (Matthews 73), Gabbidon, Collins, Taylor; Cotterill, Vaughan, Ramsey (Dorman 90), Collison (Tudur Jones 62); Bellamy (Earnshaw 62), Morison (Vokes 80).

Booked: Tudur Jones

Referee: A Kelly (Ireland)



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