Northern Ireland dug deep in the Spanish heat to defeat Guinea by a goal to nil in the first of two friendlies this month.
An early goal from defender Tom Atcheson proved decisive in the international challenge match staged at Estadio Municipal de La Línea de la Concepcion in the Cadiz region of Spain, just a stone’s throw from Gibraltar.
Northern Ireland played the final 23 minutes of the match with 10 men after Atcheson was given his marching orders.
Up to that point Michael O’Neill’s side were largely in control, playing expansive football and creating opportunities, however Guinea also had chances throughout the game, especially as this evening’s encounter drew to a close.
Northern Ireland keeper Pierce Charles pulled off a couple of fine saves, while substitute keeper Luke Southwood produced an incredible stop in added time to prevent the west Africans from equalising.
O’Neill made six changes to the side that started Northern Ireland’s last outing, the 1-1 draw against Wales in a friendly back in March. Only captain Shea Charles, Ciaron Brown, Justin Devenny, Jamie Donley and Isaac Price retained their places.
With an average age of 22.1 years, it was the youngest Northern Ireland starting XI since the end of the Second World War. Liverpool winger Kieran Morrison (19) made his senior international debut from the start.
In the early exchanges Jamie Donley had a shot blocked, while Guinea’s Sekou Sylla fired an effort off target. And Mory Konate blocked an Isaac Price shot.
Atcheson, making his first start for the senior team and earning his second cap, found the net in the ninth minute. Paul Smyth and Isaac Price linked up well down the right and Price fired a delicious cross into the six-yard area which was neatly tucked home by Atcheson from close range.
Pierce Charles tipped a strike from Mohamed Toure over the top and then Ruairi McConville blocked a shot from Guinea striker Abdoul Traore.
Smyth raced down the right flank and clipped the ball to the back post. It was met by Donley, whose goal-bound volley struck defender Mohammed Soumah’s back.
Guinea debutant Ibrahima Bangoura forced a good save out of Charles before Traore blasted the rebound over the top.
On 41 minutes midfielder Seydouba Cisse missed the target as Guinea, who currently sit in 81st position in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Rankings compared to Northern Ireland in 70th place, enjoyed a spell of possession.
As half-time approached Morrison fired in a dangerous low cross which was cleared by the Guinea defence. Shea Charles got on the end of the clearance and let fly, although his strike drifted well off target.
Northern Ireland continued to largely control the game after the restart.
On 56 minutes Price burst forward and fed Donley, whose low shot was comfortably held by Guinea keeper Soumaila Sylla.
Three minutes later Guinea came close to an equaliser. Substitute Abdoulaye Camara slipped past Northern Ireland substitute Brodie Spencer and lofted the ball towards the back post where Ibrahima Fofana’s header was saved by Southwood with his legs. Traore pounced on the loose ball and his strike hit McConville on the line before the ball was cleared by Atcheson.
In the 63rd minute Ceadach O’Neill made his senior international debut after coming off the bench. He was one of 10 substitutes used by Michael O’Neill during the game.
Four minutes later fellow sub Callum Marshall fired in a cross which was flicked on by Spencer but the ball was cleared away from the danger zone.
Northern Ireland were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute. Atcheson received a red card after clipping the lively Traore as he raced towards goal. The young defender was adjudged to have been the last man by referee Seth Galia.
On 76 minutes O’Neill produced some neat footwork as he cut inside and unleashed a low drive which was pushed out by Sylla. Fellow sub Jamie Reid pounced on the loose ball and his shot was superbly saved by Sylla.
Down the other end Reid turned defender as he headed away a dangerous delivery from a corner.
As the game drew to a close Traore threw himself to the ground inside the penalty area with substitute Trai Hume in close proximity, however the referee correctly waved play on.
Southwood saved a low drive from Traore at his near post before the Northern Ireland keeper produced a wonderful save in added time, pushing a blaster from Lancinet Kourouma on to the crossbar to ensure the score remained at 1-0 to Northern Ireland.
Next up for O’Neill’s team is a friendly away to World Cup-bound France on Monday (8 June). The venue for the game against the team currently ranked number one in the world is the Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre-Mauroy on the outskirts of Lille (8.10pm start BST).
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Tom Atcheson, Ruairi McConville, Ciaron Brown, Paul Smyth, Justin Devenny, Kieran Morrison, Shea Charles (captain), Jamie Donley, Isaac Price, Jamie McDonnell.
Substitutes: (used) Luke Southwood, Brodie Spencer, Jamie Reid, Trai Hume, Ali McCann, Callum Marshall, Ceadach O’Neill, Patrick Kelly, Ethan Galbraith, Josh Magennis; (unused) Josh Clarke, Braiden Graham.
Guinea: Soumaila Sylla, Ibrahima Fofana, Sekou Sylla, Mohammed Soumah, Mory Konate, Amadou Diawara (captain), Seydouba Cisse, Ibrahima Bangoura, Abdoul Traore, Mohamed Toure, Ousmane Camara.
Substitutes: (used) Lancinet Kourouma, Mohamed Haidara, Abdoulaye Camara, Amadou Cisse, Morlaye Sylla, Thierno Barry, Ousmane Diabate, Gassimou Sylla; (unused) Mamadou Diallo (GK).
Action from La Linea
