Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill was happy with the patience shown by his players as second-half goals from Daniel Ballard and Dion Charles secured a 2-0 victory over Belarus which moves them a step closer to winning their Nations League group.
Belarus, echoing the way they played in the second half of last month’s goalless draw in Hungary, set up deep from the start at Windsor Park and sought to frustrate Northern Ireland with a low block.
For much of the first half it was successful, but Northern Ireland prospered with two set-pieces in the second half. After Ballard headed home the opener from captain Shea Charles’ corner, Northern Ireland were awarded a penalty for a handball by Kirill Pechenin which Dion Charles dispatched.
Ice cold 🥶🎯 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/CuUJwixmON
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) November 15, 2024
Last month Northern Ireland ran riot in a 5-0 win over Bulgaria, but O’Neill had expected this to be a harder challenge and had spoken to his players about needing to be patient and manage their frustration – something they were able to do.
“We worked on this all week,” O’Neill said. “If you don’t score early in the game the opposition get confident and believe in what they’re doing.
“They sat deep, let us get to the halfway line or just inside the half and then we had to find a solution but the distances were short and it was difficult to get in behind.
“We caused our own problems with some of the choices we made as well. I’d said before it’s the area of the team that still needs the most improvement but it’s the hardest part to improve when you’ve 10 men behind the ball…
“We sat them down at half-time and showed them where they’d done well and where they needed to improve. We felt we had to play a little bit, not more direct, but recognise the areas to get the ball in behind and in the second half great right from the outset in terms of how we pressed the ball.
“We let them know that we were going to be very much all over them in terms of pressure in their half and then we get the breakthrough and the game changes because the opposition have to come out. I was glad to get the penalty and then I thought we probably could have added to that.”
Ballard’s goal was his third in his last five internationals, and a big moment for a player who has struggled with injury since the summer. The Sunderland man, who has played only 11 minutes for his club in two months, was taken off after 70 minutes.
“He’ll be pleased with that,” Ballard said. “We need a presence in the box, we haven’t really replaced that since big Gareth (McAuley) left. Jonny (Evans) gave us a physical presence, and you need to have a centre-half who can really have an impact in both boxes.”
O’Neill was also delighted for Dion Charles, who got his fourth international goal on the night of his 27th cap.
“I think that’s very important,” O’Neill said of his goal. “His performance was very good. He gives us a little bit of everything. He’ll be disappointed he didn’t score in the first half but I think it’s important for him.
“He’s come into international football a little bit later but he’s been a regular scorer for Bolton in League One for two and a half seasons and I think it’s very important for him to score at this level.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
