peggy1258
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Joined: 07 Jul 2011
Posts: 185
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 Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 9:37 am Post subject: Pantelic hits NI hopes |
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Steven Davis gifted Marko Pantelic a winner as Northern Ireland slumped to defeat against Serbia to deal their Euro 2012 hopes a grave blow.
The Rangers midfielder hit a horror back-pass to allow Pantelic to score a 67th-minute goal just as Nigel Worthington's side had finally started to get on top after their opponents had dominated the first period.
The goal handed Serbia three points and pole position in the battle for second place in Group C, while Northern Ireland face Estonia on Tuesday in fifth place after their next opponents recorded a surprise win over Slovenia.
To make matters worse, Jonny and Corry Evans will miss that crucial clash after collecting yellow cards.
The bad news had started for Worthington before kick-off when key duo Kyle Lafferty and Paddy McCourt failed late fitness tests on calf injuries and midfielder Sammy Clingan pulled out due to illness.
In the sixth minute Chris Brunt had the first real shy at goal, collecting Chris Baird's pass before testing Bojan Jorgacevic at his near post.
Little did Northern Ireland know that would be the sum of their attacking efforts by the end of a tough first half.
After 12 minutes Serbia went close when former Liverpool forward Milan Jovanovic surged towards the penalty area and hit the crossbar with a deflected effort.
That settled the visitors, who went close again when Manchester City full-back Aleksandar Kolarov cut inside Craig Cathcart and forced a fine save from the stretching Lee Camp.
In an attempt to get David Healy into the game Brunt was moved up the pitch as a second striker but that merely relieved Dejan Stankovic of some defensive duties. The Inter midfielder, winning his 99th cap, began advancing further up the pitch but scuffed his first shot wide of Camp's goal.conveyancing quotes
gifts for her |
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