Blackpool's Shayne Lavery in action for Northern Ireland against Hungary - live updates from Windsor Park
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Gazette’s Blackpool FC writer Matt Scrafton has made the trip over to Belfast to see how the Blackpool striker gets on.
Follow our blog below for regular updates...
Shayne Lavery in action for Northern Ireland - live updates
Key Events
- FT: Northern Ireland 0-1 Hungary
- Blackpool striker Shayne Lavery hoping to earn 10th international cap
- Fleetwood prospect Paddy Lane could make his debut
- Former Seasiders Dan Ballard and Jordan Thompson also in the squad
Skipper Steven Davis almost capitalises on a slack pass from a Hungary man, striking the outside of the post with a lovely effort on the outside of his left foot.
Fleetwood’s Paddy Lane, meanwhile, has had a few early touches on his senior debut, playing on the left of a midfield three.
7 - Defending
Loic Nego almost reaches a long ball over the top, but Northern Ireland keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell does well to rush off his line and head away for a throw.
6 - Chance
Space opens up for Oxford United’s Gavin Whyte, the man who replaced Shayne Lavery in the line-up, but he loses his footing and the chance goes begging.
Lowdown on Hungary
Like Northern Ireland, Hungary missed out on qualification for this winter’s World Cup, finishing fourth in their qualifying group.
However, they ended the campaign just three points behind group runners-up Poland, whom they beat 2-1 in Warsaw in their final qualifying match.
They also did rather well at the delayed Euro 2020 last summer. Placed in Group F with France, Germany and Portugal, they were unlucky not to progress out of the so-called ‘Group of Death’.
Although they lost 3-0 to the Portuguese, they drew with France and Germany, pushing both of them right to the wire.
They’re ranked 40th in the world, five places ahead of Northern Ireland.
Not long to go
The starting XI are back in the changing room, but Shayne Lavery and the fellow subs are going through some shooting drills.
Jordan Thompson has just rifled an exquisite shot against the crossbar...
Dougall also on the bench
Kenny Dougall is also on the bench for Australia, who take on Saudi Arabia in their final group game this evening in Jeddah.
The game is a dead rubber as the Socceroos will finish third irrespective of the result.
They will face United Arab Emirates in a play-off and if they manage to get through that, they will face the side that finish fifth in the South American group for a place in Qatar. A tough ask...
Gavin Whyte is preferred to Shayne Lavery in attack after scoring off the bench against Luxembourg last week.
Elsewhere, there’s a senior debut for Fleetwood’s exciting talent Paddy Lane on his first call-up to the men’s side.
Former Seasiders Craig Cathcart and Dan Ballard start in defence, while Jordan Thompson and Dion Charles join Lavery on the bench.