Gunnarsson goal enough for Iceland
Wednesday 15 October 2008
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Ólafur Jóhannesson's side claimed victory (©uefa.com 1998-?. All rights reserved.)
Iceland secured their first victory of FIFA World Cup qualifying thanks to Veigar Páll Gunnarsson's early goal against F.Y.R. Macedonia.
Iceland in third
Defeats against Scotland and the Netherlands had punctured the optimism engendered by the 2-2 draw in Norway with which Iceland began Group 9. But although the visitors responded well to falling behind, they are now a point behind Iceland, who are up to third.
Winning goal
Ólafur Jóhannesson's side attacked from the start and were soon rewarded. Eidur Gudjohnsen's free-kick was not fully cleared and Gunnarsson turned the ball in from close range. F.Y.R. Macedonia, who defeated Scotland but lost to the Netherlands in September, pushed hard for an equaliser and the best of their chances came with 14 minutes left, Goran Pandev unable to beat goalkeeper Indridi Sigurdsson.
Coach relieved
"We said if we continued to keep our heads up we would get something and today victory fell on our side," Jóhannesson said. "I was very pleased with the first half but we sat too deep after that. But we fought all the time and had to work very hard for these points so it is worth it. We were rather lucky but I am mostly pleased." Gunnarsson added: "It was good to have my chance in the team and I used it." His side visit Scotland next on 1 April, when F.Y.R. Macedonia go to the Netherlands.
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