Northern Ireland have a chance to qualify for the World Cup and go one better than the side that came so close, featuring Leeds United star David Healy.
By securing a crucial 2-0 win over Slovakia, Northern Ireland set up arguably the biggest game in a generation as they look to secure qualification to the World Cup.
Leeds have a long connection to Northern Ireland, with club ambassador Stuart Dallas representing both sides with distinction. Former goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell kept a clean sheet against Slovakia to keep Northern Ireland’s qualification hopes alive.
Northern Ireland last qualified for a World Cup in 1986, which makes their upcoming clash with Germany hugely significant, as both sides sit on six points from two games, alongside Slovakia.
Monday’s game at Windsor Park is arguably the biggest game at the stadium since England came to town in 2005, when David Healy scored the winner to allow Northern Ireland to dare to dream.
David Healy scored the winner against England in 2005
14,000 Northern Ireland fans travelled to Windsor Park more in hope than expectation when they met England in 2005, with the visitors’ Golden Generation expected to breeze through qualification and challenge for the trophy.
Northern Ireland were in search of their first win over England since 1972 under manager Lawrie Sanchez, in a World Cup qualification group that also featured England’s recent opponents, Wales.
However, England were disjointed thanks to Sven-Goran Eriksson’s decision to experiment, naming Wayne Rooney on the left and playing David Beckham in a deep-lying role in midfield.
The home side frustrated England in a first half of few chances, and Maik Taylor ensured Frank Lampard did not give the visitors the lead with a long-range effort.
Leeds forward Healy came closest for the home side after 71 minutes, when his deflected cross forced a smart save from former Leeds man Paul Robinson, before he provided the highlight two minutes later.
Latching onto a smart ball from Steve Davis, and benefitting from a tight offside call, Healy controlled before rifling across Robinson to spark wild celebrations from the Windsor Park crowd and register the home side’s first goal against England for 25 years in the process.
Another former Leeds man, Warren Feeney, nearly added a second in the dying moments as England were unable to find a route back into the game. The home crowd will surely celebrate in similarly wild fashion if Michael O’Neill’s side can pull off a similar upset against Germany.
- READ MORE: Leeds United midfielder announced as captain for the very first time on international duty
Former Leeds United hero was a scorer of great goals
There is an old adage in football that strikers are either great goal scorers or scorers of great goals, and Healy fell into the latter of those camps during his time with Leeds.
Healy was never prolific at Elland Road, scoring 29 goals in 111 games in total – a ratio of one goal every 3.8 games – after joining from Preston North End in 2004.
However, he was a one-man highlights reel capable of scoring from anywhere thanks to his brilliant technique and vision.
This is best highlighted by a goal against QPR, as he latched on to a flick from Brian Deane to chip over the keeper from the edge of the box with his first touch.
Plenty of players have scored more goals for Leeds than Healy. However, few have scored a collection of such spectacular strikes as the man from Northern Ireland.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
