Ballard's late winner keeps NI Under 21s Euro hopes alive
Baraclough's side now face Windsor showdown with Slovakia
Northern Ireland’s Under-21s edged closer towards qualifying for next summer’s Euros after a 1-0 win in Iceland last night (Thursday).
Daniel Ballard headed home a 90th minute winner to put Ian Baraclough’s side two points clear of Slovakia.
Arsenal defender Ballard says there is a great spirit in the camp.
“There’s a real believe in the team – we will keep pushing until the last minute like we did against Spain not to concede – this time it was about getting a goal,” he said.
“I think we all felt it was coming – even though there were not that many chances.
“I think we had that belief we could score and we got it in the end.”
Slovakia play tonight before they travel to Belfast for the final group game on Tuesday.
That will decide who claims second place and a potential play-off spot.
A delighted Baraclough said it was no more than they deserved.
“We’ve talked about it as a group,” he said.
“We’ve worked towards it.
“We’ve believed we could do it and to take it to the final game is fantastic.
“For us to be playing at the National stadium is great for the boys.”