Friday 14 November 2014 15:12, UK
Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland team go in search of four wins from four in their latest European qualifier against Romania, reports Sky Sports News’ Paul Gilmour.
Victories over Hungary, the Faroe Islands and Greece has the team believing they can qualify for their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.
Not even the injury withdrawals of influential captain Steven Davis and the impressive Jamie Ward have dampened the spirits in the camp this week as the squad arrived in Bucharest for what could be the toughest test of their self-belief so far.
Romania have changed their manager, welcoming back the legendary Anghel Iordenesu, voted coach of the 20th century. He replaces Al Ittihad bound Victor Piturca.
Iordenescu returns for a third spell in charge of the national team and the former army general and senator claimed Northern Ireland are favourites to win.
"Spoken like a true politician," remarked O'Neill with a smile.
Iordenescu said on Thursday that he lost sleep over deciding his starting 11. No such problems for O'Neill.
"I slept just fine," he replied when informed about Iordenescu's comments by a Romanian journalist.
Meanwhile, the long suffering supporters are enjoying life at the top of Group F. Almost 1000 have made the journey to Bucharest – although it helps the tickets cost the equivalent of £6! For those supporters not old enough to remember 1982 and 1986, it doesn't get better than this.
'Good times never seemed so good' and they will sing along to Neil Diamond's unofficial NI anthem tonight as usual.
Those who do remember 1986 will fondly recall the only previous Bucharest meeting in a qualifier - NI won 1-0 thanks to a James Quinn goal to effectively seal qualification for the World Cup, ending Romania's chances in the process.
"In the first half I don't think I got over the halfway line and in the second I don't think I left the edge of our box!" recalled John O'Neill, who played centre half on a night of Pat Jennings' heroics.
For comparison, Northern Ireland played the role of Poland in the infamous 1-1 draw in a 1973 qualifier against England, somehow getting a result against the odds. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Romanians.
Current Shahktar Donetsk head coach Mircea Lucescu was the Romanian manager on that occasion. Such was the hurt and frustration of that day, Lucescu this week paid a visit to the Romania training centre, 29 years on, to remind the players they had unfinished business against Northern Ireland.
O'Neill was just beginning his playing career at Irish Premiership club Coleraine when that game took place. Now, as manager, he is transforming football in Northern Ireland.
Meticulous in his preparation for games and equally hands on with the young Northern Ireland players of the future - he knows each of the underage squads by their first name - this is a man who is no stranger to making history.
He led Shamrock Rovers to the Europa League group stages - the first Irish team to do so. At one point in a group game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane they briefly led.
The game against Romania will not be easy. The squad is made up of four players from the Premier League, six from the Championship, eight from League One and six from the SPL. Collective strength is key and O'Neill has described the top two clash as "a bonus game" given the incredible start. The pressure is off.
Watch Romania v Northern Ireland via the red button on Sky Sports 5 from 7.30pm
