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World Cup qualifying: Northern Ireland beat Azerbaijan 2-0 to end win drought [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
Belfast (Reuters) - Northern Ireland ended a four-year stretch without a competitive home win with a 2-0 victory over bottom-placed Azerbaijan in their World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park.
After a shaky start to the European Group Six match, the home side went on the attack, but were unable to capitalise until the hour mark, when forward Stuart Elliott lofted in a free kick from 25 metres.
Substitute Warren Feeney delivered Northern Ireland's second goal, his first for the side, with a penalty in the 85th minute after a foul by Azerbaijan's Rafael Amirbekov on midfielder Keith Gillespie.
Azerbaijan's best chance came early on when a long ball from Makhmum Gurbanov fell for winger Zaud Tagizade who shot across the face of goal.
The win -- Northern Ireland's first in 10 games -- gives Lawrie Sanchez's side a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their game against England on Wednesday.
England lead the group after their 1-0 win over Wales with 19 points, one more than Poland who were playing at home against third-placed Austria later on Saturday. Northern Ireland are fourth with six points.
Sanchez said delivering the win had taken off some of the pressure going into the England game.
"We're not expected to beat England," he told reporters, saying that his side could now relax and this might even help them to sneak a win.
"England have to come here now and we are buoyant and really looking forward to it," Sanchez added.
But he said his main aim was to make sure the team finished above Azerbaijan and Wales, who both have two points, in the group.
"Finishing above Wales and Azerbaijan is the target."
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