HOPE, rather than expectation, remains the order of the day in terms of Northern Ireland's chances of World Cup qualification but after a promising outing against the Italians in Palermo in January, Bryan Hamilton's side followed up with a more than satisfactory result against Belgium at Windor Park last night.

Three goals - the first a peach from Blackburn's James ("don't call me Jimmy") Quinn after 13 minutes, the second a 63rd minute Jim Magilton penalty after the Manchester United teenager Philip Mulryne was fouled, and the third from Mulryne himself near the end - capped an impressive Irish performance that combined tireless work rate with neat, purposeful passing.

Thus did the Irish maintain the theme of over-achievement against supposed betters and Hamilton will pray that continues when Portugal visit Belfast in March for a crucial Group Nine qualifier.

Belgium played last night on the back of a sapping 3-0 home defeat to Holland in December that seriously undermined their own qualification attempt. A new manager, Georges Leekens, clearly felt a match against the Irish would be sound preparation for the trip to Wales next month.

Leekens also obviously felt the Belgians were in need of some steel as from the first whistle their tackling was anything but friendly.

Quinn was the principal recipient of the physical treatment but the 22-year-old took it professionally and responded in the most direct style.

Aside from a shot from Nilis, neither side had offered much of a threat when Quinn collected an angled pass from Horlock on the edge of the area.

There was little on but Quinn, with an electric turn, spun away from De Roover and lashed the ball into the far top corner. De Wilde got a hand to it but it was unstoppable and the Liverpool scouts, who have been watching Quinn closely, will have made another note.

Wright then made a trio of fine saves that prevented Belgium getting back into it and once Magilton made it two the contest was over.