Chris Johns (GK), Daniel Finlayson, Ben Hall, Sam Roscoe, Matthew Clarke, Chris Shields, Jamie Mulgrew (C) (Kyle McClean 67’), Stephen Fallon, Jordan Stewart (Niall Quinn 86’), Kirk Millar, Robbie McDaid (Eetu Vertainen 67’)
Masterful tactics from David Healy coupled with the utmost heart, desire and discipline from his players delivered a remarkable victory over Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt on what was a truly memorable night at Windsor Park, with Kirk Millar the toast of south Belfast following a stunning late winner.
It’s only half-time in the UEFA Champions League Round 2 Qualifying tie but David Healy and his players should rightly take the plaudits for a superb result against a team who put six past Roma last season, as well as comfortably disposing Celtic on their run to the UEFA Conference League quarter-final.
The visitors showed their composure and class on the ball from the start, barely allowing Linfield a touch in the opening minutes. However, the Blues were patient and when they got on the ball after five minutes they immediately threatened. Jamie Mulgrew played a through ball over the top of the defence and Kirk Millar reached it before pulling the ball back into the area in search of Robbie McDaid who had it taken off his toe by a defender in the nick of time. Moments later, following a corner, Millar struck one sweetly on the half-volley – a rasper of a shot which whistled into the side netting.
Bodo kept the ball well and didn’t look to force the opening, although they did try their luck from distance on a few occasions. Bodo winger Joel Mugisha looked like the dangerman and he showed great feet early on, bursting into the box before a clean, low strike was well smothered by Chris Johns, who did the same to Elias Hegan’s 20 yard strike soon after.
Those were saves that the Linfield goalkeeper was expected to make, but he made a great save midway through the first half. The ball was cut back to Bodo captain Ulrik Saltnes with time to shoot from inside the box but Johns was equal to the effort, springing to his right to push the ball behind.
Intricate quick passing was Bodo’s ploy in attack and a couple of times before half-time they made good chances. After an initial shot was blocked, defender Alfons Sampsted had time and space to pull the trigger inside the box but he was disappointed to fire his shot over.
In the last action of the half, striker Runar Espejord teed up midfielder Hugo Veltesen who will have felt he should have at least hit the target from inside the box. Instead, he fired over from a good position.
Half Time: Linfield 0-0 Bodo Glimt
Linfield continued to stand tall and defend brilliantly, whilst also looking dangerous on the break when an opportunity arose. It looked so promising early in the second half when Jordan Stewart slipped it to the overlapping Matthew Clarke whose early cross was so inviting and just ever so slightly beyond the reach of Robbie McDaid in the middle. The goalkeeper still had to make an intervention and he did well to grasp.
The visitors had a great chance a short time later, once again after working it patiently into the box before a cross from Sampsted on the left found Veltesen in the middle, however his goalward effort was headed out by Chris Shields who defended his goal superbly.
A prime example of Linfield’s desire was perfectly displayed by central defender Ben Hall, who like the rest was absolutely superb. On this occasion it looked sure that Bodo were set to equalise as Joel Mugisha worked room for a shot at close range before Hall courageously threw his body in the way to make a crucial block which was probably a goal-saving one.
Another heroic defensive intervention came from Stephen Fallon who got back to stop lively substitute Amahl Pellegrino’s low shot from crossing the line, before the midfielder then casually dribbled out with the ball.
Despite Bodo’s possession, Linfield’s self-belief never waned, and their attackers were getting them up the pitch when possible which led to some half-chances. Kirk Millar’s free-kick from the left after good work by Eetu Vertainen, was punched out by the goalkeeper but only as far as Jordan Stewart whose powerful shot was importantly blocked. From the corner which followed, Chris Shields headed not far wide.
Windsor Park erupted with noise eight minutes from time when Kirk Millar netted another iconic Linfield European goal and in many ways it typified the individual and collective performance on the night, as it was his sheer determination to close down which led to him winning the ball high up before having not only the fortitude, but the technique to chip the goalkeeper with a beautiful finish. It was a truly wonderful moment for Linfield who travel to Norway for next Tuesday’s second leg with an opportunity to become the first Irish League team to secure European group stage action.
Full Time: Linfield 1 – 0 Bodo Glimt
Match Images
