Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland have qualified for the World Cup finals three times, in 1958, 1982 and in 1986. In 58 and 82 they also qualified for the knock out stages after defeating the home nation Spain. In 1986 however they were unable to get past the Group phase.

Over the years the Province of Northern Ireland has produced many fine footballers, none more so than the incomparable George Best. Unfortunately Best was never to be part of a Northern Irish team that made it to the World Cup finals, thus depriving the world of an enormous talent. George Best died in November 2005.

Although the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign started badly, they lost 3-0 to Poland, and indeed their first six qualifying games passed without victory. However they began to gain momentum and after three successive draws they won their first competitive match for almost four years when they beat Azerbaijan and they followed that up with an unforgettable 1-0 win over England. Unfortunately it all proved beyonnd them to qaulify but they had managed to find some confidence and have continued to improve as a team.

Qualification for EURO 2008 proved to be far too much for them, but amazingly they did win two home matches against Sweden and the eveuntual EURO 2008 Champions, Spain. They are drawn in European qualifying Group 3 and they will find it very tough, but not impossible to get through. They lost their first match by 1-2 away at Slovakia but earned themselves a very creditable goalless draw against the Czech Republic in the second match.

Manager Nigel Worthington has his side well motivated and well organised and will be hoping for a minimum of four points in their next two games, away in Slovenia and then home to San Marino. They are 20/1 to win Group three in the betting and are 6/4 to finsih in the top two. A 2010 World Cup free bet is available on any Northern Irekland match r group outcome.