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Boss Nigel Worthington named four uncapped players in his starting XI, the Irish League duo of Colin Coates and Stephen Carson as well as Chris Casement and Manchester United's Corry Evans.

It was no surprise, then, when the World Champions opened the scoring after 20 minutes through Giuseppe Rossi who drifted past Evans before sending a superbly struck effort beyond 'keeper Jonathan Tuffey.

Alessandro Gamberini might have added a second moments later with a header from a Giuseppe Mascara corner but Ryan McGivern was on hand to head the ball off the line.

Northern Ireland's first effort on note came on 25 minutes through David Healy who tested 'keeper Federico Marchetti following good work from Coleraine winger Carson.

Unfortunately Healy was forced to leave the action just before half-time after picking up a groin injury, to be replaced by Celtic's Niall McGinn.

The Italians made four changes at the break and it was one of these, Pasquale Foggia, who doubled their advantage seven minutes into the second half with a sublime effort over the head of Tuffey after being played through by Rossi.

It was almost 3-0 just a couple of minutes later when Tuffey upended Giampaolo Pazzini only to redeem himself wonderfully when he turned the subsequent spot-kick, taken by Pazzini, onto the post.

Tuffey did well again to turn a later Foggia effort over before being replaced by Alan Mannus for the final half-an-hour or so.

Mannus was beaten with 18 minutes remaining when another substitute, Sergio Pellissier, was allowed a little too much room by the defence to fire home from eight yards but the tables were turned later when the former Linfield 'keeper produced a late save to prevent the Sampdoria frontman from doubling his tally.

As the game wore to a close another three players won their first caps - Robert Garrett, Martin Donnelly and Shane Ferguson - as the expected goal avalanche failed to materialise due in part to a battling performance from the youthful visitors.

Italy: Marchetti, Santon, Gamberini, Legrottaglie, Grosso, D'Agostino, Gattuso, Montolivo, Mascara, Pazzini, Rossi subs De Sanctis (not used), Cassani (not used), Esposito (not used), Dossena (replaced Grosso 46), Biagianti (not used), Palombo (replaced Gattuso 46), Galloppa (replaced D'Agostino 75), Brighi (replaced Montolivo 46), Foggia (replaced Mascara 46), Pellissier (replaced Pazzini 62)

Northern Ireland: Tuffey, Johnson, Casement, Coates, McGivern, Little, O'Connor, McCann, Evans, Carson, Healy subs Mannus (replaced Tuffey 62), Ferguson (replaced Evans 78), McGinn (replaced Healy 45), Garrett (replaced O'Connor 62), Lawrie (replaced Carson 70), Donnelly (replaced Little 82), Duffy (not used)

Referee: Kevin Blom (Holland)