Rory Patterson netted a late penalty as Northern Ireland came from behind to draw with Morocco at Windsor Park.
Patterson nets late penalty after Chamakh scores opener
Rory Patterson netted a late penalty as Northern Ireland came from behind to draw with Morocco at Windsor Park.
After a goalless first period, substitute Michael O'Connor came close to giving the hosts the lead but his free-kick went just wide.
Morocco then went ahead on 55 minutes after a blunder by substitute keeper Alan Blayney, who had celebrated the birth of his son earlier in the day.
Ryan McGivern had played a back pass to the keeper, who took a touch before attempting to clear up field but Marouane Chamakh had closed him down and the kick hit the Arsenal striker before bouncing into the net.
Blayney partially redeemed himself soon afterwards when pushing Adil Hermach's piledriver onto the crossbar before Nigel Worthington's side then drew level via Patterson's spot-kick after Rachid Soulaimani held Josh McQuoid in the box on a corner.
The equaliser - Patterson's first international goal - at a wet and windy Windsor Park will give Worthington reason for optimism after what seemed like being a dismal night.
The value of the exercise had been brought into question after 12 players withdrew from the initial squad named last week for a variety of reasons.
Worthington was forced to make eight changes from the side which laboured to a draw in the Faroe Islands last month.
In-form West Brom winger Chris Brunt, playing in an advanced role, had the best of the early opportunities but failed to test the goalkeeper before being withdrawn at half-time.
Preston midfielder Adam Barton, who is also eligible for England, was handed a debut from the start by Worthington in the hope he could be persuaded to pledge his allegiance full time, while Inverness' Jonny Tuffey was the initial pick in goal in the absence of veteran Maik Taylor.
Heavy pitch
After torrential rain throughout the day, the pitch was heavy but Brunt attempted to make a bright start as he won possession from the kick off.
Brunt broke forward and fed John Gorman out wide but the Wolves man's cross was easily claimed by Nadir Lamyaghri.
Brunt, recently linked with Liverpool after a fine start to the season, was intent on impressing but shot well over when a chance opened up from distance.
Morocco attacked down the flanks and Nacer Chadli cut inside from the left to force Tuffey to concede a corner.
Aaron Hughes headed away from the set-piece but Kharja Houssine fired a shot back in which flew over the bar.
Brunt tried his luck from a 40-yard free-kick but again missed the target and Morocco began to show some neat attacking touches.
Houssine had a shot blocked after being fed by Chamakh and Chadli put a good chance over on the rebound.
The hosts survived a scare midway through the first half as Younes Belhanda slipped Youssef Hadji into the box but the Nancy midfielder shot straight at Tuffey.
Brunt showed more good touches as the hosts built a patient attack but was again off-target with his shot.
Morocco came forward again with Chadli showing good skill on the left but captain Hughes headed behind.
Second period
Northern Ireland made four changes for the start of the second half, with Worthington bringing off Premier League pair Hughes and Brunt as expected.
Pat McCourt, one of the more influential players, was also forced off with a dead leg and Linfield's Blayney was also introduced in place of Tuffey.
Michael O'Connor, McQuoid and Rory McArdle were the other players to come on.
O'Connor quickly got in the action as he flashed a free-kick just wide before McGivern played Blayney into trouble with a back pass.
The Linfield keeper tried to kick away as Chamakh advanced but the Arsenal striker was too quick and his clearance rebounded off the Moroccan and into the net.
Morocco went close to a second moments later as Hermach unleashed a ferocious 40-yard drive but Blayney made some amends for his gaffe as he tipped onto the bar.
The visitors came forward again and Hadji shot wide from the edge of the area.
The game appeared to be winding down when Bournemouth forward McQuoid won a penalty from a corner after being pulled down by Soulaimani.
Plymouth's Patterson held his nerve to score from the penalty spot before Morocco had a late chance to snatch victory but substitute Youssef El Arabi shot over from the edge of the box.
| Northern Ireland |
Team Statistics |
Morocco |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
7 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 2 |
Corners |
6 |
| 11 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 68.5 |
Passing Success |
81.3 |
| 27 |
Tackles |
22 |
| 77.8 |
Tackles Success |
72.7 |
| 37.2 |
Possession |
62.8 |
| 43.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
56.8 |
|
