Northern Ireland 0-0 Romania: Michael O’Neill’s side and group leaders share the spoils at Windsor Park

Romania create the better chances in goalless draw at windy Windsor Park
Gabriel Torje fails to make Gareth McAuley pay for error with deflected shot
Kyle Lafferty misses headed effort from point-blank range late on
Northern Ireland remain second in Group F one point behind Romania

Published:
20:35 GMT, 13 June 2015

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Updated:
20:50 GMT, 13 June 2015

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Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching the European Championship finals in France next summer are still on track, after playing out a stalemate with Group F leaders Romania at Windsor Park.

Gabriel Torje had the game’s best chance for the visitors midway through the second-half, but the 25-year-old winger was unable to capitalise on Gareth McAuley’s error as his shot was deflected narrowly wide.

Kyle Lafferty, who had scored five goals in Northern Ireland’s first five Euro 2016 qualifying games, had the hosts’ most inviting opportunity, but the Norwich striker failed to make a clean connection on the half-volley from point-blank range with six minutes remaining.

Romania were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men in the first-half, following a robust challenge by Mihai Pintilii on Conor McLaughlin, but Michael O’Neill’s side are now looking nervously over their shoulders in an automatic place, with the gap to Hungary in third now just two points after their 1-0 victory away to Finland.

More to follow

Northern Ireland’s striker Kyle Lafferty vies with Romania’s defender Dragos Grigore (R) during the Euro 2016 qualifying Group

Lafferty grapples for possession with Grigore during the first-half at a sunny but windy Windsor Park in Belfast

The Norwich City striker appeals a decision that goes against him as the Romania defence kept him at bay

Chris Baird jumps to win an aerial duel with Romania’s Alexandru Maxim as both sides settled for a draw

Northern Ireland’s defender Gareth McAuley is put under pressure by Romania’s forward Claudiu Keseru

Lafferty was monitored throughout the 90 minutes but the 27-year-old could have been the match winner

Lafferty shields the ball from Grigore but he was unable to add to impressive tally of five qualifying goals

Michael O’Neill gave first competitive starts to Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern and Stuart Dallas

MATCH FACTS

Northern Ireland (4-4-2): McGovern 7; McLaughlin 6.5, McAuley 5, J Evans 7 (Cathcart 80), Brunt 6.5; Davis 7.5; Norwood 6.5, Baird 6; Ward 6 (C Evans 79, 6), Lafferty 6.5, Dallas 6.5.

Subs: Taylor, Carson, Ferguson, McGinn, Grigg, McCourt, McNair, Hughes, Magennis, Lavery.

Booked: Brunt

Romania (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu 6.5; Papp 6.5, Grigore 6, Chiriches 7, Sepsi 6; Prepalita, Pintilii 5; Torje 8, Maxim 6 (Tamas 90), Chipciu 6.5 (Stancu 61, 5.5); Keseru 7 (Andone 72, 6).

Subs: Lung, Balgradean, Moti, Bumba, Hoban, Vatajelu, Popa, Bicfalvi, Sapunaru.

Booked: Pintilii, Sepsi, Torje

Star man: Torje

Referee: Carlos Valasco Carballo (Spain) 6.5