Michael O’Neill picked out the positives after his Northern Ireland side were unable to capitalise on a string of chances in a goalless Nations League draw against Belarus in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.
Northern Ireland peppered Fedor Lapoukhov’s goal with shots in the opening 45 minutes, twice having goals ruled out and also seeing Eoin Toal’s header come back off the post and it ended up costing them the chance to go top of League C3.
But with two teenagers among six players in the starting XI aged 22 or under, this was a demonstration of the attacking possibilities in a still-developing side – as long as they can find the cutting edge to finish off the job.
“I’m frustrated with the result but I’m not frustrated with the performance,” O’Neill told the PA news agency. “We were very dominant in the first half, we created excellent chances with some very good passages of play and our transition through the pitch was excellent.
“But we didn’t take the chances and that’s a learning curve for us. The second half was always going to have a different feel, we weren’t going to have the same level and Belarus tightened up a bit and made it more difficult.
“We still managed to create chances, but we didn’t open them up as much as the first half. It was a decent performance, but the disappointing thing is the result.”
Northern Ireland had 12 attempts at goal in the first half, forcing Lapoukhov into seven saves, but there was a sense at the break that their best opportunity might have already gone.
Belarus did a better job of shutting down space in the second half and as legs on both sides began to tire, the attacking impetus faded.
“The second half maybe got a little bit edgy with the substitutions and the pitch was quite heavy and in the end cut up,” O’Neill said.
“Also some of our senior players like Paddy (McNair) and Jamal (Lewis) have played very little football, so it’s hard for them to maintain that level.
“I thought we had enough in the tank to win the game but we didn’t do that. It’s something of course you want in your make-up to be able to win games late on – I have to look beyond the result.
“People will talk about the result but the team is going in the right direction.”
This was arguably to most awkward of Northern Ireland’s away fixtures in this Nations League campaign, not so much in terms of the opposition – Belarus are, despite recent improvement, the lowest ranked team in the group – but because of the neutral venue and the game being behind closed doors.
In that context, this was a point gained even if it might have been all three.
“It’s a positive certainly, not something to be too negative about,” O’Neill added.
“When you see how the game played out, we’re disappointed not to take three points but we’ve got a home game now against Bulgaria and if we win that it will put us in a strong position.
“The key in any group is to come away from home and not be beaten, so we’ll take the positive of not being beaten tonight.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. The reason why Man City lost 5 matches in a row Erling Haaland lol Cucuruku Cook that thing… This The Man United cycle. This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The Portuguese has promised to not sign any Sporting CP stars in the winter window.However, all bets are off in the summer, with A Bola stating that Geovany Quenda is the main target.United are said to be preparing an offer of £50M plus bonuses to secure the young winger.Amorim can use Quenda in either wing-back position, while he is also capable of playing in the front three.Another player U...
The Algerian's contract expires in the summer of 2026 and he is believed to be eyeing a move away from Molineux.Rayan Ait-Nouri is wanted by Man UtdThat has put United are on red alert for a player as Amorim has made signing a left-back a priority.He wants to boost his options give Luke Shaw's injury record.Shaw could also eventually move into the back-three once the former Sporting Lisbon manager...
Mohamed Salah has said he is yet to receive a formal contract offer from Liverpool, adding that he is "more out than in" regarding whether he will stay at the club next season.Salah, whose contract is set to expire next summer, has enjoyed an impressive individual campaign, having scored 12 goals in all competitions this term, including a brace in Liverpool's 3-2 comeback win over Southampton on S...
Real Madrid monitoring Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite🚨👀 #Branthwaite is attracting the attention of 🇪🇺 top clubs.📃 #RealMadrid included the CB in their list of potential January targets, while 🏴 teams continue to monitor him ahead of June.💰 #Everton would like to keep him but are also open to evaluating bids >€70m. 🐓⚽ pic.twitter.com/5lpoomMdyp— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) Novem...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 12 Ipswich 1-1 Man Utd Southampton 2-3 Liverpool LOL OUCH Cristiano Ronaldo now has 500 more Goals than Henry When a taxi driver asked Messi to take photo of him with Mascherano... Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Leicester City open talks with Van Nistelrooy over head coach job🚨🗣️ #Leicester have approached Ruud #vanNistelrooy to explore the negotiation margins to replace Steve Cooper on their bench.📃 David #Moyes and other names are under evaluation, but #LCFC would like to convince the 🇳🇱 manager as a priority. 🐓⚽ #Transfers pic.twitter.com/xsz3TT9q7P— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) November 24, 2024H...
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was happy scoring in their win at Leganes.Real won 3-0 on Sunday, with Mbappe opening the scoring on the night.He later told RMTV: "I started well, with rhythm with my teammates, in a different position. As I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in many different positions and I will play to give my best, it is the story of my career, I play on the right,...
Leicester City have confirmed they have sacked manager Steve Cooper. The 44-year-old took charge for the final time on. Saturday, with the Foxes beaten at home by Chelsea in the Premier League.He leaves with Leicester 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone after being promoted under Enzo Maresca last season.Steve Cooper after Leicester's 2-1 loss to Chelsea.In a released stat...
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long period" before his methods help the club enjoy success again after a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town denied the new head coach a debut win in his first game in charge.Marcus Rashford's opening goal after 81 seconds had given United a dream start at Portman Road, but Omari Hutchinson's equaliser sealed a point for Kieran McKenna's team an...
- 1 I am not a lunatic – Craig Bellamy glad to show different side in Wales dugout
- 2 Roy Keane’s daughter pictured with Taylor Harwood-Bellis for first time
- 3 Johnnie Jackson bemoans refereeing decisions after dramatic Dons draw
- 4 Liam Cullen leads Wales to Nations League promotion
- 5 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 8 Mia Khalifa slams rumours of 'affair with ex-Prem star Julian Alvarez'
- 9 Daily Laugh - Antony and his latest ManUtd session
- 10 Chloe Kelly sends fans wild in daring outfit at GQ Men of the Year