Liam Boyce’s first Northern Ireland goal earns useful victory over New Zealand

The fact Northern Ireland took on this friendly at all, sandwiched between training camps in England and Turkey, is testament to a level of diligence which continues to bear fruit.

The key aspiration was not to beat New Zealand – albeit that will maintain confidence in a squad which now punches well above its weight as standard – but to build towards next Saturday’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan. Back-to-back tournament appearances is a legitimate aim for a team consigned to international football’s wilderness for years.

Northern Ireland’s manager, Michael O’Neill, also has a selection dilemma he may well have predicted. Ross County’s Liam Boyce notched his first goal for his country in an excellent 45-minute display. Boyce’s claim to start in Baku before more established players is now a serious one.For New Zealand this was a low-key opening to their Confederations Cup preparations. Northern Ireland’s tempo was always vastly superior.

Boyce’s career path has hardly been orthodox. After a successful spell in the Irish League with Cliftonville, the Belfast boy was recruited by Werder Bremen. If there was no shame in Boyce failing to make the grade in Germany, it was a surprise that he ended up back with his first club. Another prolific period followed before joining Ross County.

The faith shown by the Scottish top flight club has been well founded, with Boyce returning 48 league goals in 80 starts. In the campaign just ended, the 26-year-old was the top scorer in his domestic league. Boyce’s next task is to carry this record into internationals, easing the burden on Kyle Lafferty.

Lafferty, whose future is unclear after an unhappy spell at Norwich City, was left among O’Neill’s substitutes here. Boyce took full advantage of the faith bestowed on him by confidently cutting inside and lashing a left-foot shot beyond Stefan Marinovic after six minutes. Only a fine Marinovic save prevented Boyce’s strike partner, Josh Magennis, from doubling the hosts’ lead in their next attack.

That flow of pressure remained until half-time with the Leeds United striker Chris Wood barely afforded a touch. Conor McLaughlin had the ball in the visitors’ net, with an earlier foul denying the full-back proper credit for a stunning half-volley.

With his work done, Boyce remained inside at the interval. Lafferty’s impact was almost instant, the 29-year-old turning a Magennis cross from the right just wide.

Magennis was the next to try his luck, his header skimming the crossbar. New Zealand’s best opportunity of the match came with 25 minutes to play, with substitute Kosta Barbarouses thwarted by the inside of the post.