The penalty decision given to Russia was as terrible a decision as you are ever likely to see. The defender stops the ball cleanly.
The match has been abandoned.
Will you be tuning in tomorrow or respectfully observing the Sabbath? This is absolutely disgraceful scheduling.
Religious protests have been planned in opposition to Northern Ireland’s first ever home Sunday fixture against Finland.
The national side have played overseas on a Sunday in the past, most recently in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier in Hungary, but this weekend will break new ground in Belfast.
The Irish Football Association has been careful in the past not to arrange Sunday fixtures, and once had an article of association enshrining such a policy, but was powerless to act once UEFA introduced its ‘week of football’ blueprint for the current qualifying campaign.
But that cuts no ice with critics, some of whom have called on the IFA to boycott the fixture.
The Free Presbyterian Church is planning to hold a service at its Tyndale Memorial church, located just a few hundred yards from Windsor Park, 75 minutes before the 5pm kick-off.
The Evangelical Protestant Society, meanwhile, has issued a statement expressing its dismay at events.
“This will be the first time an international football match has been held in Belfast on a Sunday, and it marks another watershed moment in modern Ulster’s increasing rejection of the Lord’s Day,” it read.
"Far too many sporting and social events are now organised on Sundays with, it seems, scant regard for the rights of evangelicals who, because of their faith, are unable to be involved. Many evangelical Protestants are ardent fans of the national team and would dearly love to be present at the match.
“We fully accept that we are out of step with the majority of public opinion on this matter, and we suspect that many who claim to be Protestants will be present at Windsor Park on Sunday.”
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, speaking earlier this week to the Belfast Telegraph, said: "We appreciate and understand people’s religious beliefs - but the game must be played on Sunday, as that date was decreed when the fixture was made by UEFA.
“We hope for a victory on the night, and for the usual wonderful support from all Northern Ireland fans.”
There was a conciliatory message from Gary McAllister, chairman of the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs.
McAllister told Press Association Sport: "We understand there will be a protest near the stadium and that is their right. I imagine it will be very peaceful and they are fully entitled to do that.
"But this is not an IFA decision and I don’t think suggestions that the game is forfeited are realistic at all.
"It is clearly a matter of choice. Some fans have made the decision not to attend for sincerely held beliefs and no doubt they are passionate as any other fans.
“I fully respect those who oppose it but it must be, and it will be, played.”
[QUOTE=“Manuel Zelaya, post: 1114064, member: 377”]Will you be tuning in tomorrow or respectfully observing the Sabbath? This is absolutely disgraceful scheduling.
Religious protests have been planned in opposition to Northern Ireland’s first ever home Sunday fixture against Finland.
The national side have played overseas on a Sunday in the past, most recently in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier in Hungary, but this weekend will break new ground in Belfast.
The Irish Football Association has been careful in the past not to arrange Sunday fixtures, and once had an article of association enshrining such a policy, but was powerless to act once UEFA introduced its ‘week of football’ blueprint for the current qualifying campaign.
But that cuts no ice with critics, some of whom have called on the IFA to boycott the fixture.
The Free Presbyterian Church is planning to hold a service at its Tyndale Memorial church, located just a few hundred yards from Windsor Park, 75 minutes before the 5pm kick-off.
The Evangelical Protestant Society, meanwhile, has issued a statement expressing its dismay at events.
“This will be the first time an international football match has been held in Belfast on a Sunday, and it marks another watershed moment in modern Ulster’s increasing rejection of the Lord’s Day,” it read.
"Far too many sporting and social events are now organised on Sundays with, it seems, scant regard for the rights of evangelicals who, because of their faith, are unable to be involved. Many evangelical Protestants are ardent fans of the national team and would dearly love to be present at the match.
“We fully accept that we are out of step with the majority of public opinion on this matter, and we suspect that many who claim to be Protestants will be present at Windsor Park on Sunday.”
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, speaking earlier this week to the Belfast Telegraph, said: "We appreciate and understand people’s religious beliefs - but the game must be played on Sunday, as that date was decreed when the fixture was made by UEFA.
“We hope for a victory on the night, and for the usual wonderful support from all Northern Ireland fans.”
There was a conciliatory message from Gary McAllister, chairman of the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs.
McAllister told Press Association Sport: "We understand there will be a protest near the stadium and that is their right. I imagine it will be very peaceful and they are fully entitled to do that.
"But this is not an IFA decision and I don’t think suggestions that the game is forfeited are realistic at all.
"It is clearly a matter of choice. Some fans have made the decision not to attend for sincerely held beliefs and no doubt they are passionate as any other fans.
“I fully respect those who oppose it but it must be, and it will be, played.”[/QUOTE]
It may be me misinterpreting as usual, but for a religious people, the NI soccerball supporters come across as a shower of poisonous bigots. Maybe they are misunderstood. It’s unusual for religious fanaticism to be so divisive.
Netherlands 1-0 at home to Turkey. They are really struggling under Guus Hiddink
The Oranjes still struggling here and the Azzurri are in bother in Sofia.
The Azzurri drew level. The Durch still behind and the Belgians coasting.
1-1 in Amsterdam. Sneijder with a deflected goal in injury time. Huntelaar got the touch.
missed the game rocko as i was travelling but with Tal fucking Ben Haim and Eitan Tibi at the back im not suprised
disgraceful decision to start the pernamently shite Ben Haim, he is still stumbling along at Charllton but that’s only because Guy Luzon ( who loves Tony Watt BTW) took over there from Liege
also, Eli Gutmann’s decision not to start Biton and to start Omer Damari who has not scored in 4 months for Leipzig in some Bundeliga 2 over Eliran Atar was bizarre
a bad result,
Great scenes at Hampden after Gibraltar equalise. Their fans are going mental.
Kyle Lafferty has put Ireland 1-0 up against Finland at Windsor Park. 
A superb finish from the big man.
Let’s hope there are fervent (but simultaneously muted so as to respect the Sabbath) celebrations come the final whistle.
He’s only gone and done it again! A peach of a header!
2-0 Ireland!
[QUOTE=“Sidney, post: 1114934, member: 183”]He’s only gone and done it again! A peach of a header!
2-0 Ireland![/QUOTE]
Not watching this affront to the Lord on his day, but in a footballing sense this is putting Northern Ireland in a very strong position for automatic qualification.
Has Gerry Armstrong figured out why the early header was disallowed yet? Hilarious hearing him a full 30 minutes later talking about Lafferty being borderline offside in the centre when:
a) the decision was correctly given against the corner taker who was offside on the return ball
b) Lafferty was yards onside
c) the ball never went near Lafferty.
Armstrong is a real simpleton.
Some sickener if these hun cunts qualify and we don’t.
Qualification has to be earned. Have Éire beaten a higher ranked team in a competitive game since the Netherlands in 2001?
Yes
Sure they beat Germany 1-1 in this campaign