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Kenny Shiels on verge of Managing historic qualification for NI


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Our former Manager who IMO did a good job whilst at Killie .......has had his ups n downs since but glad too see one of football’s good guys now having some success again assisted by a former Killie player 

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Northern Ireland women recovered superbly from an early setback to beat the Faroe Islands 5-1 and keep their history-making Euro 2022 dream alive. The win secured the play-off that gives Northern Ireland the chance to qualify for a first major women's tournament.

Rachel Furness scored twice with Chloe McCarron and the McGuinness sisters - Kirsty and Caitlin - also on target.

Victory saw Kenny Shiels' side clinch second place in Group C on a momentous night in north Belfast.

Shiels was perhaps a surprise choice when he was appointed manager in May 2019, taking over when Alfie Wylie stepped down after a 15-year spell at the helm.

Having won trophies in Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, his managerial pedigree was strong, but the former Kilmarnock boss' three-year reign at Derry City had ended with the sack seven months earlier.

He said from the outset he wanted to introduce an attacking, progressive style of play and, even after 6-0 defeats by Norway in two of his first three matches, he was confident the squad had the ability to deliver.

Working with a squad packed with Irish Premiership players, he spent the time on the training pitch after lockdown wisely, with many members of the squad reflecting in recent weeks on the positivity and belief he has instilled in them.

Credit must also go to his son, Dean, who Shiels brought in as a coach, with the former Northern Ireland striker taking a leading role in training sessions and helping to implement the forward-thinking strategy favoured by his father.

The manager could often be heard instructing his players to keep the ball moving more quickly, and whatever he was saying worked as his side ran out fantastic winners on a historic night.

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43 minutes ago, Scouser2 said:

Our former Manager who IMO did a good job whilst at Killie .......has had his ups n downs since but glad too see one of football’s good guys now having some success again assisted by a former Killie player 

Well said.  Only Killie manager to beat the OF in a cup final.  Decent record that, all things considered.  

One day I'll find that old hard drive with the outstanding, 'grey squirrels being bigger, stronger and more abundant - but are susceptible to the Ebola virus, that the wee endangered red squirrels don't suffer from' kick-talk interview. 

Easily the most genius bit of Killie manager sports psychology I've ever heard - although I probably paraphrased that badly!!

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18 minutes ago, Fankle said:

Gutted at how badly the Scotland girls blew it, but pleased for Kenny's success, hope they get through ?

 

What was the script with that? Were they gambling at the end when it wasn’t entirely necessary with another two games to play? Defending was very poor. 

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10 minutes ago, piffer said:

What was the script with that? Were they gambling at the end when it wasn’t entirely necessary with another two games to play? Defending was very poor. 

It was entirely necessary, they had to beat Finland to have a realistic chance. Didn't watch last night, but it was apparently very similar to the Portugal game where we made and blew several really good chances. Ironic that Finland's coach Anna Signeul was previously Scotland coach. Time to replace Shelly Kerr I think.

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28 minutes ago, piffer said:

What was the script with that? Were they gambling at the end when it wasn’t entirely necessary with another two games to play? Defending was very poor. 

Needed to win the last 3 to guarantee a play-off.

A point might have been enough but we'd have been relying on Finland beating Portugal. So agreed it was crazy not to keep someone back to stop a potential break away.

Totally blew the group from a strong position though with three successive 1 nil defeats when we were on top each time. Top seeds in the group too. Heads need to roll.

Really hacked off about it because I was planning on taking the kids down to England to support them in the finals ?

 

 

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3 hours ago, Fankle said:

Gutted at how badly the Scotland girls blew it, but pleased for Kenny's success, hope they get through ?

 

Watched the Portugal game and felt they were obviously lacking in confidence, no one wanted to take a shot on goal, trying to pass the ball into the net. It became obvious that Portugal would nick a goal against the run of play.

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