Greece U21 0-1 Northern Ireland U21
Northern Ireland took 35 months to win a competitive Under-21 game.
Now they
have achieved back-to-back victories in the European Championships in a matter
of weeks.
Millar's U21 side will not compete in the next European Championships
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Warren Feeney's 25th minute goal meant Roy Millar's young charges got their revenge on Greece after being thrashed
6-2 last April.
Coming after the defeat of Armenia, Millar has good reason to be proud even if
their goal had a charmed life.
On the downside for the manager this will be the team's last competitive match
for a while.
They will not be competing in the next championships in a
cost-cutting exercise.
Northern Ireland made a bright start and Terry McFlynn stung the hands of the
home goalkeeper after five minutes with a strong shot.
It was clear that the side had taken a lot of heart from that victory against
Armenia.
However, Southampton goalkeeper Alan Blayney had be on his guard twice in
quick succession as the Greeks broke forward.
Brian Close then gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box but Fanourlos
Goundoulakis' effort drifted wide.
Northern Ireland got their reward in the 25th minute when Feeney made the
breakthrough.
Warren Feeney (left) scored the winning goal
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The Bournemouth striker picked up a loose ball, raced on and coolly found the
corner.
He almost got a second when McFlynn knocked the ball through but the
goalkeeper raced quickly off his line.
There was a scare for Northern Ireland a minute into the second half when
Stuttgart's Ioannis Amanatidis cracked in a shot that Blayney did well to
parry.
Georgios Fotakis latched onto the rebound but was off target with his effort.
It was a warning to Millar's young charges that the game was far from over.
The Greeks stepped up the pressure but Blayney was cutting a commanding figure
between the posts.
He pulled off a stunning save from substitute Ioannis Chrysafis in
the 66th minute.
Northern Ireland hit back on the counter attack in the 84th minute but Sean
Webb directed a header across the box following a corner from Sammy Clingan.