18/02/2004
NI fans look goalward under Sanchez management
Northern Ireland look set to start with two strikers tonight ahead of their friendly with Norway at Windsor Park.
The ploy is designed to help Lawrie Sanchez' team score for the first time in over 1,200 minutes of football, a European record.
Glentoran striker, Andy Smith is likely to gain his sixth cap by partnering Preston's David Healy up front. Healy is now scoring regularly for the First Division side after a barren spell on the bench with his club side.
Sanchez, who takes charge for the first time tonight, is likely to play a four man midfield - Michael Hughes, Damien Johnston, Keith Gillespie and Danny Griffin while at the back it will be 'same again' with Maik Taylor, Aaron Hughes (captain), George McCartney, Chris Baird and Peter Kennedy.
Tonight's game is the first of five fixtures which will lead Northern Ireland up to their opening 2006 World Cup Qualifier against Poland in September.
Northern Ireland, of course, face England and Wales in their group as well as Austria and Azerbijan.
Tonight's fixture kicks off at 7.45pm.
(MB)
The ploy is designed to help Lawrie Sanchez' team score for the first time in over 1,200 minutes of football, a European record.
Glentoran striker, Andy Smith is likely to gain his sixth cap by partnering Preston's David Healy up front. Healy is now scoring regularly for the First Division side after a barren spell on the bench with his club side.
Sanchez, who takes charge for the first time tonight, is likely to play a four man midfield - Michael Hughes, Damien Johnston, Keith Gillespie and Danny Griffin while at the back it will be 'same again' with Maik Taylor, Aaron Hughes (captain), George McCartney, Chris Baird and Peter Kennedy.
Tonight's game is the first of five fixtures which will lead Northern Ireland up to their opening 2006 World Cup Qualifier against Poland in September.
Northern Ireland, of course, face England and Wales in their group as well as Austria and Azerbijan.
Tonight's fixture kicks off at 7.45pm.
(MB)
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