Release Date: 31/08/2010

ON Friday night, Northern Ireland will kick-off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Slovenia in Maribor.

The two sides were in the same World Cup qualifying group – with Slovenia making it to the Finals after beating Russia in the play-offs.  At the start of that campaign they were ranked 79th in the world – now they are 19th.

So, it’s obviously going to be a difficult game; however in recent years Northern Ireland have shown that they can compete against the big nations and the high ranked sides away from home – just think of Poland and Czech Republic in the last campaign and Sweden in a Euro 2008 qualifier.  Therefore getting a result against Matjaz Kek’s side is certainly not beyond Nigel Worthington’s boys.

And a good start is something which Northern Ireland assistant manager Glynn Snodin believes is very important.  He said: “I think it is very important to get a good start and get three points as early as possible.  It’s like when you play your first league game of a new season; you want to try and get the three points on the board. 

“It’s going to be a difficult game on Friday.  Slovenia have come a long way and have moved up the world rankings and also what they did in the World Cup, and credit to them.  So we know how difficult it is going to be and we’ve got to prepare our squad in the best way we can and make it difficult for Slovenia on the night.”

Northern Ireland were drawn in the same Euro 2012 qualifying group as Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia and the Faroe Islands  - so what does Snodin make of Group C?

“It could have been worse, but it could have been better,” he said.  “But you’ve got to play the team which is in front of you, no matter who it is – whether it be the Faroe Islands or Italy – every game will be tight.  But again teams will fear coming to Belfast to play Northern Ireland.

“We’ve got to start scoring goals again and give ourselves a chance and if we can do that then we will give teams in this campaign a run for their money.”

And as always the Northern Ireland fans will have a key role to play in this campaign.  On Friday over 900 supporters will descend on the Ljudski VRT Stadium in Maribor to cheer on the team in the opening qualifier. 

Snodin added: “The supporters are simply magnificent, and they really are the ‘12th man’.  As a player it must be great to play in front of them; I know as a member of staff it’s fantastic to listen to them and hear how they get behind the team both home and away.  And I think it’s fair to say that everyone around the world now knows all about the Green and White Army!”

The Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia on Friday kicks-off at 8.45pm (local time).

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