Christos Aravidis’ late finish proved scant consolation for the visitors, with Northern Ireland able to focus on their first appearance at a European Championship and their first major tournament outing since 1986.
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At Windsor Park there was a strong Fermanagh representation willing their boys on to victory including Enniskillen man Gary Donalson, pictured below.
Beating world champions Germany at home for the first time in nearly 60 years on 8 October may have won coach Martin O’Neill a place in Ireland’s sporting history, but his team are still yet to secure a place at Euro 2016.
Due to their superior goal difference, a draw on Sunday would be enough for Poland to qualify directly, while Ireland needs to win to avoid the play-offs.
“It’s odd, I just lost myself in the moment and she came into my head at the important time”.
Were you at either game?
“It’s just an wonderful feeling, what we have to look forward to, but this is about the players, to see their reaction is where I get the real buzz”, he said. But we still need another big performance, another big shift.
Germany centre-back Mats Hummels says his side are deeply frustrated by their loss to the Republic of Ireland as they prepare for a decisive clash with Georgia. A win for either team will send them through, but the complexities of the group mean that both could qualify with a draw. There are managers who mange for years and maybe never get beyond the level they’re at. “Unfortunately we have still a long way to go yet but it was great to beat the Germans, the world champions, considering the things we had to overcome”, O’Neill said.
“So you have got to take that into consideration, but when we do have possession we will have to play with it and be courageous”.
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Forest face Bristol City in their next Championship match after in the worldwide break, in a game that Freedman’s side will be desperate to win.
