Northern Ireland’s Euro 2004 campaign looks over after they slumped
to a late Group Six defeat against Armenia in Yerevan.
‘Bitter pill’ for McIlroy
Artur Petrosyan’s goal four minutes from time means they have picked
up only one point from three games – and are on the worst run in
their history after eight games without a goal.
The visitors almost took the lead after seven minutes when a shot
from Paul McVeigh was deflected onto the top of the bar by Albert
Sargsyan.
The last time the Irish scored was a year ago when Steve Lomas found
the target in the defeat by Poland in a friendly.
Lomas was back in action today, captaining a fairly young side after
a raft of withdrawals.
Snow began falling heavily at the Republican Stadium, making
conditions difficult for the Irish team.
Irish boss Sammy McIlroy had complained about the pitch earlier in
the week and it looked bumpy and rutted.
Keith Gillespie went on a mazy run down the left before being
up-ended by Sargis Hovsepyan, who was handed a yellow card.
The Irish were not lacking confidence considering their last victory
came against Malta 17 months ago.
James Quinn fired just wide after good work from Gillespie but
Armenia were slowly getting themselves back into the game and should
have gone in front a minute before the break.
Karamyan found himself beyond the visitors’ defence with only Taylor
to beat but, amazingly, he stood on the ball and fluffed the final
scoring chance of the half.
Taylor had to look alert in the 47th minute to push a shot from the
same player into the side-netting.
There was then concern from the Irish bench when Gillespie needed
treatment after a challenge, but he was able to continue.
He had looked Northern Ireland’s best option in the first half with
his willingness to get down the line and take players on.
The visitors were beginning to find themselves under pressure as the
home side, who have won just one of their last 21 games, stepped up
the pace.
Artavazd Karamian twice went close with shots from just inside the
area.
Then David Healy saw a well-struck volley turned away by the keeper.
The Irish were stunned in the 86th minute when Petrosyan rifled past
Taylor from close range for the winner to give the Armenians their
first victory in more than three years.
The win moved Armenia into third place with four points from three
matches, while Northern Ireland remain bottom with just a point.
‘Bitter pill’ for McIlroy
Afterwards, Northern Ireland manager admitted his team’s chances of
qualification were all but gone.
He said: ‘It’s going to be very hard to qualify now.
‘I really thought this would have been the day when we would have
ended our drought.
‘It is a bitter pill to swallow. We didn’t take our chances and
perhaps we should have been 3-0 up.
‘I told the boys at half-time that they had been playing well and
just to keep going.’
McIlroy handed a full debut to defender Stephen Craigan and he stood
off Petrosyan.
That led to the goal but McIlroy was quick to excuse Craigan, who
failed to put in a challenge after being booked earlier.
McIlroy said: ‘The build-up to the goal should have been dealt with.
‘But I’m not going to blame Stephen as I thought he was magnificent.’
The Irish now face Greece on Wednesday at Windsor Park and McIlroy
knows it could be difficult to lift his troops as they have picked up
just one point from their three qualifying matches.
Losing to Armenia was a bitter blow for him especially as their hosts
had won only one out of their last 21 competitive games.
‘It really is hard to take considering the pressure we put on them in
the early stages,’ he said.
The squad flew straight back to Belfast tonight and will begin
preparing for the Greece game tomorrow.
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