San Marino vs Northern Ireland

Michael O'Neill kicked off his new reign with a 2-0 victory over San Marino on Thursday night. Dion Charles grabbed both goals for Northern Ireland as ...

San Marino face Northern Ireland in a EURO 2024 qualifier, and Kevin Hatchard has put together a Bet Builder at odds-against.

Michael O'Neill had nearly three years at Stoke in which he wasn't able to make a significant impact, and now he has a second chance to try to take his country Northern Ireland to major tournaments, having led them to the finals of EURO 2016. This will be attack against defence for the most part, so I'm expecting pressure and plenty of corners. We'll now follow Northern Ireland as they visit San Marino in the opening round of qualifiers for EURO 2024. The Englishman got Northern Ireland to a EURO 2020 playoff final, but lost to Slovakia in extra time. He is 40 years old, and is about to make his international debut for San Marino. Even the Nations League hasn't really helped, as they have played 14, lost 12 and drawn two.

Match: San Marino versus Northern Ireland. Competition: Euro 2024 Qualifying, Group H. The top two from the group that also includes Denmark, Finland, ...

The wide slots are up for grabs with Gavin Whyte, Josh Magennis and Conor Washington in contention, although the Rotherham United man isn’t fully fit. The right-back berth is up for grabs with both Conor Bradley and Trai Hume in good form. If you think San Marino can cause a huge upset they are available at 25/1.

Michael O'Neill admits he is excited to get Northern Ireland's UEFA Euro 2024 qualification campaign up and running.

The most capped player in the current squad is captain and striker Matteo Vitaioli, who has played 81 times for his country, scoring once. Among them are defender Mirko Palazzi (72 caps), who plays for Cattolica in Serie D, and Nicola Nanni (27 caps), a striker with Serie C side Olbia. San Marino are currently bottom of those rankings in 211th place, while Northern Ireland are 59th.

Two goals from Bolton striker Dion Charles gave Michael O'Neill a winning start to his second spell as Northern Ireland manager in Serravalle.

I’m pleased with a lot of aspects of the performance. But we’ve got three points on the board and hopefully we can add to that.’ ‘We had three days of preparation with a group of players and a new coaching staff, and everything that goes along with that, but the players did everything we asked of them. ‘I’m delighted with the win obviously. Charles’ Bolton teammate Conor Bradley, on loan to Wanderers from Liverpool, was the other standout player as he raided up and down the right flank. ‘Thankfully tonight I got my second start and two international goals.

The goals were little surprise given he has bagged 18 in 42 appearances for Bolton this term.

Northern Ireland started slowly, enjoying plenty of the ball but offering little penetration. Northern Ireland, who have been seeking a reliable goalscorer for several years, will hope this was just the beginning. Northern Ireland would have welcomed a second to settle the game before the break but had to wait until the 55th minute, when Jamal Lewis sent in a deep cross from the left and Charles stooped to head home.

Bolton Wanderers striker Dion Charles scored in either half as Nothern Ireland breezed past San Marino to win their Group H opener in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Northern Ireland started slowly, enjoying plenty of the ball but offering little penetration. Northern Ireland would have welcomed a second to settle the game before the break but had to wait until the 55th minute, when Jamal Lewis sent in a deep cross from the left and Charles stooped to head home. The deadlock was broken when Northern Ireland used a quick free-kick to shift the ball right and Conor Washington sent in a low cross for his strike partner to turn in at the far post.

The Bolton striker broke his international duck with a superb brace against San Marino.

"It is brilliant for me to carry my club form into the international window. There are one or two things that clearly we need to improve upon as well. And we have done that tonight. "We also finished the game with three 19-year-olds and that is a positive." "But the players did everything we asked of them, and I am pleased with many aspects of the performance. "It is a great start to the campaign.