Poland beat Northern Ireland at home
Northern Ireland 0 Poland 3
Lawrie Sanchez would surely have been left with a sense of disbelief as Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign got off to a sickening start.
The team went into the game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run and a wave of renewed optimism in the province.
But the supporters were left dejected and depressed at the manner of this heavy defeat.
Two of Poland’s goals were soft and Northern Ireland boss Sanchez has much work to do if they are to turn things around against Wales in Cardiff next Wednesday.
Maciej Zurawski made the breakthrough with a goal direct from a corner with Maik Taylor, on his 33rd birthday, looking on in disbelief.
Taylor’s Birmingham team-mate Damien Johnson decided to duck as the ball came in, leaving the goalkeeper – who was expecting a deep cross – in no-man’s land.
They retaliated and David Healy headed over the top from a Johnson free kick.
Northern Ireland stepped up the pace and Healy repaid the favour by releasing the Birmingham midfielder.
Johnson, however, seemed to rush his effort and sliced a shot wide of the post.
The visitors were well-organised after that early goal. They seemed to have taken heart from making the breakthrough after the 5-1 defeat at home by Denmark in their last international.
Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek then needed brief treatment after a tussle for the ball with James Quinn.
Northern Ireland almost conceded a second after 29 minutes following a mistake by Craigan.
