Latvia 1-0 Northern Ireland: Baird blunder

Group F

	Latvia 1 - 0 Northern Ireland 56' Chris Baird (og) 1 - 0
1		0

An own goal by defender Chris Baird handed Latvia a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Euro 2008 qualifying on Saturday.

Baird went to intercept a cross by Imants Bleidelis only to send the ball past his own keeper Maik Taylor in the 53rd minute.

The defeat left Northern Ireland, trying to qualify for the finals for the first time, second in the Group F table on 16 points before Saturday's later matches.

The result was likely to please third-placed Spain (15 points), who were due to face Iceland. Sweden, who were playing fourth-placed Denmark, lead the group on 18.

'It is not going to help us qualify, it was a million miles away from where we wanted to be,' Northern Ireland coach Nigel Worthington told a news conference.

'This will put more importance on the next game where we will look at getting three points.'

Northern Ireland next play Iceland in Reykjavik on Wednesday.

The own goal decided a close match, with both sides creating few opportunties although Latvia generally had the run of the game.

Northern Ireland's Jonathan Evans had one of the best chances in the 89th minute with a diving header that produced a good save from keeper Andris Vanins.

Latvia have six qualifying points while Liechtenstein and Iceland have four apiece.

Source: Soccernet.com