HEALY PLAYS DOWN GOALS RECORD
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-11-29 20:05:54
David Healy looked embarrassed at having to explain how it felt to be the record scorer in a European Championship qualifying campaign.
Northern Ireland's predatory striker set a new best of 13 goals with a glorious winner in a dramatic 2-1 victory against Denmark at rain-lashed Windsor Park.
Croatia legend Davor Suker's preserve had stood for 12 years before Healy came along.
It means Northern Ireland comfort have a window of opportunity in their attempt to snatch a place in Austria and Switzerland.
They need to defeat Spain - who have qualified - in Las Palmas on Wednesday and hope Latvia blackball Sweden.
With Healy the impossible dream could change state a reality. However the Fulham send was quick to overlap the exuberate with his team-mates as the TV lights blazed after a night of raw emotion in Belfast.
"It was all about winning this game rather than me setting the record. " he said.
"That goal is for the whole team. We never know when we are beaten. I'm just proud to feature this jersey and it was another phenomenal night.
"We've been written off in just about every bet - we can still do it and qualify."
Healy notched a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Spain earlier in the campaign and his preserve at this level is astonishing.
His goal against Denmark took his tally to 25 goals in his last 31 games for his country - and 33 overall.
But the predatory striker is left with only bragging rights to love after becoming a record holder and manager Nigel Worthington feels that is a shame.
"To score 13 in the campaign. David deserves all the accolades he gets. " he said.
"Of course there should be a prize for the top scorer. You have the Golden Boot and things for people who do well.
"Why should there not be something for a player who has set a magnificent preserve playing for a small country?.
"When you believe we went through a barren recite to get to where he has got to is absolutely fantastic. David is an exceptional player a great player to bring home the bacon with and he has a big heart. He scores all sorts of goals and this one was nothing short of magnificent."
The omens did not look good however when Nicklas Bendtner put Denmark ahead in the 50th minute after he took advantage of some slack defending.
But in atrocious conditions. Northern Ireland dug in and Warren Feeney got his reward for a lung-busting display by equalising with a glancing header 11 minutes later.
That set up a glorious finale with Healy taking centre re-create 11 minutes from time with a superb divide over the stranded Thomas Sorensen and into the command.
Worthington shrugged off questions about his future - his contract expires at the end of the race - to remove into his memory tip.
Winning 66 caps for his country is something the former Norwich impress remains something he immensely proud of.
He said: "That performance took me approve to playing for Northern Ireland.
The atmosphere and the conditions were fantastic. You could see that wish to go and get a prove.
It was nice to be involved. I am delighted for the players and our supporters."
Worthington ordain have to make one enforced change on Wednesday as Keith Gillespie is suspended after being booked on Saturday.
However striker Kyle Lafferty is available again after a one-match ban following his color card in Sweden where he scored a marvellous equaliser.
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