Northern Ireland 0 - 3 Iceland

Euro 2008 Qualifiers - Sat, 02 Sep 2006

Northern Ireland were the favourites to begin their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign on a positive note, but Iceland failed to read the script.

First half goals from Gunnar Thorvaldsson, Hermann Hreidarsson and Eidur Gudjohnsen put the visitors three-up and that is how it finished in Group F.

The home side started brightly with Leeds striker David Healy just heading over from Keith Gillespie's dangerous cross from the right.

However, with virtually Iceland's first attack they were ahead when Thorvaldsson placed the ball into the far corner after a mistake by Stephen Craigan.

Northern Ireland barely had time to take stock before they found themselves two-down when Hreidarsson was not picked up at a corner and he slid home at the back post.

Lawrie Sanchez's side struck back and Steven Davis was close to pulling one back following a clever turn and fierce shot, although the effort was straight at keeper Arni Arason.

The chances continued to come thick and fast and Gillespie was unlucky to see his low drive from distance bounce just wide of Arason's far post.

However, Iceland continued the expert finishing in front of goal and when Gudjohnsen was presented with a chance from Craigan's poor clearance the Barcelona man greatly accepted.

The visitors had the first chance after the interval, but Gudjohnsen's finish for once was not up to scratch when he lashed wide of Maik Taylor's goal from outside the box.

Healy thought he had pulled a goal back just after the hour mark, but his superb finish at the back post was ruled out due to a push by Stuart Elliott in the middle.

The home side finished the stronger but Aston Villa's Davis sent a volley just wide while Sammy Clingan's curler from Gillespie's lay-off floated just wide of the upright.

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