Host Northern Ireland draws Italy 0-0 in Euro qualifier

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER SPECIAL COVERAGE – EURO 2012 QUALIFYING GROUP C

After Northern Ireland's historic recent home wins over big boys England and Spain, Italy should probably be satisfied to get out of Windsor Park with a draw.

That was the result -- a 0-0 tie -- between Norn Iron and the Azzurri in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Friday night.

The finish left Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington pumping his fist as time expired, showing his excitement as his side took down another top-flight team in front of a raucous capacity crowd.

Italy, meanwhile, escaped without a loss, faring better than the English and Spaniards in the last five years. The Azzurri also fell in the teams' last meeting in Belfast in 1958, when Northern Ireland won 2-1 to clinch a World Cup berth.

The Italian side attacked most of the night and took 16 shots to the Green and White Army's 5. But Northern Irish goalkeeper Maik Taylor parried six shots on goal to hold firm.

Italy got off several good chances in the first half in particular. Domenico Criscito's 13th-minute shot from the left side went wide right.

Northern Ireland countered with a scoring try in the 31st minute, but David Healy's header drifted wide left.

Italy's Marco Boriello wasted no time, shooting immediately on a 1-on-1 against Taylor, who stopped him from extremely close range to preserve the clean sheet. Antonio Cassano collected the rebound but proceeded to shoot wide right.

In the second half, Boriello tested Taylor in the 62nd minute but shot right at him, making for an easy save.

Then, in the 86th minute, Italy's Giampaolo Pazzini headed a shot across the net and wide left.

Northern Ireland then almost completed the miracle victory in the final minute of regulation time, but Steven Davis was stonewalled by Azzurri keeper Emiliano Viviano to effectively end the match.

Italy picked up one point for a total of seven, which leads Group C. Northern Ireland is tied for third place with four.

Northern Ireland's next qualifier is Tuesday at the Faroe Islands. Italy hosts Serbia Tuesday night in its next match.

NOTES: Italy has not lost a road qualifier since 2006, but has never won in three trips to Belfast. ... Azzurri defender Gianluca Zambrotta did not play and remains three appearances shy of 100 caps for Italy.

Photo above: Italy's Antonio Cassano, right, possesses the ball in front of Northern Ireland's Gareth McAuley. (News of the World)

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Video credit -- Rai Uno