Greece pacify Belfast crowd to win a pivotal Nations League opener

Northern Ireland produced a blunt and passive performance as they suffered a damning blow to their hopes of winning their Nations League group, thanks to a cultured Anastasios Bakasetas finish that ensured Gus Poyet’s Greece side left with a 1-0 win. 

Ian Baraclough opted for two up top to start the game, but the hosts were unable to threaten the Greek goal despite this. 

Whilst Northern Ireland started well with the Windsor Park crowd behind them, there was very little in the way of quality in the final third. After a bright opening spell, they then became passive and allowed Greece to have comfortable possession, consequently allowing Poyet’s men to grow into the game. 

The Greeks were able to threaten down both flanks with the width of Konstantinos Tsimikas and Lazaros Rota from fullback, yet, clear cut chances appeared to be coming at a premium as the hosts set up a green wall to keep out their opponents. 

However, it was as half-time was approaching that the deadlock was broken. A dangerous break was led by FC Twente’s Dimitrios Limnios, and the 24-year-old drew in the attention of multiple Northern Irish defenders before releasing the ball to Bakasetas. The 28-year-old recently won the Turkish Super Lig with Trabzonspor and displayed winners instinct when he slotted home past Bailey Peacock-Farrell for his sixth international strike. 

The half-time team talk clearly elevated Northern Ireland, as they came out with far more intensity than they showed in the first half. Upon the half-hour mark, Baraclough called upon Kyle Lafferty, who is searching for his first goal in Northern Irish colours since 2016. 

As time passed, Greece became increasingly content to sit back and absorb the pressure, as if aware of the hosts’ problems in front of goal as well as the difficulty of coming away from Windsor Park with a win. The European champions Italy found this much out as they were held to a 0-0 draw in Belfast that ultimately cost them qualification for the World Cup in the long run. 

Whilst the team in green lacked no desire and intent, there was precious little in the way of final third quality to penetrate Greece’s defences. For every time Northern Ireland pressurised their visitors, Greece hit back with a dangerous counter. 

However, Poyet’s side were more than happy to stagnate the game and keep hold of what they had, ultimately nullifying Northern Ireland and the Belfast crowd to come away with a vital three points. 

For Northern Ireland, they will be aware of how important the Nations League may be for not only for their ranking but also for their hopes of qualifying for UEFA Euro 2024. With their home form often a major factor in Northern Irish success, losing their opening fixture at Windsor Park to a direct rival in their group is a significant blow.

They will now face tough trips to play Cyprus and Kosovo, knowing that they will likely need a minimum of four points from those games should they wish to top their group and gain promotion back to League B. 

Greece, however, may not have inspired a generation like their 2004 counterparts, but a win in Belfast is not only the perfect start to their Nations League campaign but also to the reign of their new boss, former Brighton & Hove Albion and Sunderland manager Gus Poyet. They will aim to maintain a 100% record under their new manager as they travel to Pristina to take on Kosovo, who were victorious against Cyprus in Larnaca. 

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