Nottingham Forest winger Jamie Ward scored for Northern Ireland against Norway on Sunday.
Northern Ireland’s Jamie Ward celebrates scoring their first goal against Norway
Northern Ireland remain in a strong position to qualify for the 2018 World Cup as they beat Norway 2-0 at Windsor Park on Sunday evening.
Michael O’Neill’s men went into the game with seven points from four games, and made it ten from five with a comfortable 2-0 win.
Jamie Ward scored a superb curling strike from just inside the box with just 90 seconds on the clock, before Steven Davis threaded a pass into Conor Washington, who tucked away his one-on-one chance.
Northern Ireland managed to keep Norway at arm’s length throughout, and whilst Havard Nordtveit tested Michael McGovern with a driven free kick, they held onto their clean sheet in a 2-0 win.
The result keeps Northern Ireland in second place in Group C, putting them in a great position to qualify for Russia in 2018 – and the game also saw attacker Ward remind many of his quality.
Northern Ireland’s Jamie Ward
The 30-year-old wide man had spent the first half of the season on loan at Burton Albion but is now back with Nottingham Forest, and has two assists in his last seven outings for the club.
Ward was suspended for Mark Warburton’s first game in charge against Derby County before the international break, but his goal and display for Northern Ireland has prompted fans to urge Warburton to start Ward against Preston this weekend.
Some believe the loan spell at Burton has benefited Ward, and now want to see him replicate his international display in the red of Forest as he looks to impress new boss Warburton.
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