Northern Ireland 2

 

Unknown Players
vs. Brazil (0:1) | Milk Cup Elite U19 | 2003 in Northern Ireland

Northern Island is one of two secessionist regions in the world that put an open hand on their flag - the other being Abkhazia. Somehow, unlike Abkhazia, they sneaked in FIFA (somehow=bribery, this is FIFA, after all). Despite being in FIFA, however, they were left to play in Patrick shirts for a while, for whatever reason. Obviously, I had to get that shirt, when I saw it for about 20€ including shipping. So here it is.

The picture is from the Milk Cup, a huge international tournament Northern Ireland used to host. The 2003 edition was won by Paraguay, who beat Brazil in the final in Coleraine. Northern Ireland itself opened the tournament vs. Brazil, which featured gifted talents like Fernandinho back then, losing just 0:1, which is respectable, I guess.