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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Two-goal Healy is hero at Windsor | Two-goal Healy is hero at Windsor |
| (about 15 hours later) | |
| By Niall Glynn BBC News Website | By Niall Glynn BBC News Website |
| Northern Ireland football fans were in dreamland on Wednesday night after their team pulled off another fantastic result at Belfast's Windsor Park. | Northern Ireland football fans were in dreamland on Wednesday night after their team pulled off another fantastic result at Belfast's Windsor Park. |
| A 2-1 victory over previously undefeated Sweden put Lawrie Sanchez's men top of their 2008 European Championship qualifying table, midway through their 12 games. | A 2-1 victory over previously undefeated Sweden put Lawrie Sanchez's men top of their 2008 European Championship qualifying table, midway through their 12 games. |
| Striker David Healy was again the hero for Northern Ireland | Striker David Healy was again the hero for Northern Ireland |
| That would have been beyond the expectations of even the most diehard Northern Ireland fan when they were drawn in a group featuring top teams Spain, Sweden and Denmark. | That would have been beyond the expectations of even the most diehard Northern Ireland fan when they were drawn in a group featuring top teams Spain, Sweden and Denmark. |
| It also looked highly unlikely after a 3-0 defeat by Iceland in their opening game. | It also looked highly unlikely after a 3-0 defeat by Iceland in their opening game. |
| The hero for the men in green was yet again striker David Healy, who hit his eighth and ninth goals of the qualifying campaign. | The hero for the men in green was yet again striker David Healy, who hit his eighth and ninth goals of the qualifying campaign. |
| Healy scored in the 31st and 58th minutes after Sweden had gone ahead in the 27th minute. | |
| The Leeds United striker said while his first goal was the better of the two, the second was the sweeter as it was the match winner. | The Leeds United striker said while his first goal was the better of the two, the second was the sweeter as it was the match winner. |
| But he added: "They are all sweet strikes at Windsor Park." | But he added: "They are all sweet strikes at Windsor Park." |
| The win was another giant performance by Northern Ireland, who provided perhaps the shock of the qualifiers last September when they beat a star-studded Spanish side 3-2. | The win was another giant performance by Northern Ireland, who provided perhaps the shock of the qualifiers last September when they beat a star-studded Spanish side 3-2. |
| Sweden had won their previous four matches in Group F and rarely fail to qualify for a major tournament. | Sweden had won their previous four matches in Group F and rarely fail to qualify for a major tournament. |
| Swedish fans enjoyed some Belfast hospitality before the game | Swedish fans enjoyed some Belfast hospitality before the game |
| Healy has now scored nine goals in six qualifiers this campaign, including two hat-tricks. | Healy has now scored nine goals in six qualifiers this campaign, including two hat-tricks. |
| After the match, NI manager Sanchez said he was delighted by the result but stressed there was still a long way to go in the campaign. | After the match, NI manager Sanchez said he was delighted by the result but stressed there was still a long way to go in the campaign. |
| "It's great to be top of the group at the halfway stage. | "It's great to be top of the group at the halfway stage. |
| "Thirteen points from six games is phenomenal - but we'll have to get as many if not more from the next six. | "Thirteen points from six games is phenomenal - but we'll have to get as many if not more from the next six. |
| "There is a lot of football left in this group," Sanchez said. | "There is a lot of football left in this group," Sanchez said. |
| The European Championship takes place in June of 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. | The European Championship takes place in June of 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. |
| Victory may have eased pressure on Republic manager Steve Staunton | Victory may have eased pressure on Republic manager Steve Staunton |
| The mood of Republic of Ireland fans was also lifted on Wednesday night after a 1-0 victory over Slovakia at Croke Park in Dublin. | The mood of Republic of Ireland fans was also lifted on Wednesday night after a 1-0 victory over Slovakia at Croke Park in Dublin. |
| Team manager Steve Staunton has been under intense after recent performances such as last month's injury time victory over minnows San Marino. | Team manager Steve Staunton has been under intense after recent performances such as last month's injury time victory over minnows San Marino. |
| However, victory over the dangerous Slovakians and Wales at the weekend will take off some of the heat. | However, victory over the dangerous Slovakians and Wales at the weekend will take off some of the heat. |
| Reading's Kevin Doyle scored the winner in the 13th minute. | Reading's Kevin Doyle scored the winner in the 13th minute. |