2nd Ahoghill Company Section watched Northern Ireland host Portugal in their FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifying match.
We met with the boys at the church hall, before travelling to Belfast by coach for the 7:45 kick off. We made the short journey from the bus to Windsor Park on foot, the atmosphere building as we got closer to the ground. After picking up our tickets, we took our seats in the Railway Stand. The lack of covering was more than made up for by the great pitch side view.
After a rather open start to the game, Portugal took the lead on 21 minutes when Bruno Alves guided a well taken volley into the bottom corner, past the unsighted Roy Carroll. However Northern were behind for only fifteen minutes, after Gareth McAuley ran unmarked to meet Shane Ferguson’s corner on 36 minutes, glancing his header into the net for the equalizer.
Portugal came close to a second after Ronaldo set up Helder Postiga outside the box, the 20 yard strike forcing Roy Carroll into an excellent save low down to his left. But with only two minutes left in the first half, Portugal were reduced to ten when Postiga was shown a straight red card for an attempted headbutt on McAuley.
Shortly after the restart, McAuley spotted Rui Patricio off his line and attempted an audacious 35 yard lob which had the Portuguese keeper scrambling back. But the shot sailed just inches over the bar.
Northern Ireland took the lead on 52 minutes. Jamie Ward bundled the ball into the net for his first international goal, after Jonny Evans headed down another Ferguson corner.
The hosts were looking comfortable until Chris Brunt was sent off for a second bookable offence, after a poor tackle on Joao Pereira. His first offence came in the first half for a foul on Ronaldo. With the teams even at ten men, Portugal began to put on the pressure and Carroll was called into action again. The veteran keeper making a spectacular one handed save from Miguel Veloso’s long range shot.
The resulting corner was defended well, but not so the next one. On 68 minutes, Ronaldo rose above Kyle Lafferty to direct his near post header into the net. The goal drew Portugal level on the night, and drew Ronaldo level with Eusebio as Portugal’s second highest goalscorer on 41 international goals.
Ronaldo didn’t have long to wait for his second goal of the night, as he headed in another on 77 minutes. The Portugal captain seemed to hang in the air as he waited for Fabio Coentrao’s cross, before clinically steering it past the helpless Carroll.
Northern Ireland were reduced to nine men, when Lafferty was sent off on 80 minutes after a late challenge on Joao Pereira.
Portugal were given a promising free kick after Coentrao’s surging run was stopped unfairly by Oliver Norwood a few yards outside the box. Ronaldo stepped up and completed his hat trick on 83 minutes, calmly slotting his shot through the wall, a slight deflection giving Carroll no chance.
The Portugal talisman was subbed off on 89 minutes and received warm applause from the small contingent of travelling supporters.
The result returned Portugal to the top of Group F, and put Ronaldo just four goals behind Pauleta as Portugal’s highest goalscorer.
Despite the scoreline, it was a great night out for the boys and leaders alike. With the list of high profile players only adding to the occasion. Hopefully the opportunity for another trip to Windsor Park won’t be too far away.
