Euro 2024 Qualification: Northern Ireland Manager Michael O’Neill’s Perspective
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has said that he is not thinking about qualification for Euro 2024, even before his injury-hit side’s cruel 1-0 defeat by Denmark in Copenhagen. Despite the heartbreaking loss, O’Neill is still confident that his team can take points in their upcoming matches.
Injury Woes
Northern Ireland were missing up to 10 regular players, with Craig Cathcart ruled out with injury on the morning of the game. O’Neill was forced to field six Under-21s on the pitch, and he is adamant that his team is not in a position to talk about qualification just yet. He believes that the team is still in the process of building, and must take into account the difficult situation they are in with the number of senior players they have lost.
Realistic Expectations
The defeat leaves Northern Ireland still in fifth position in Group H, having won their opening game away to San Marino in March before following that up with a disappointing home defeat by Finland. O’Neill believes that the team must be realistic with the level they can compete at on a consistent basis, and he hopes that the experience his players have gained from this game will help them in their international journey.
Disallowed Goal
Northern Ireland were denied a draw against the group’s top seeds when teenage substitute Callum Marshall’s debut goal in injury-time was disallowed after a lengthy VAR check. O’Neill made his feelings on the disallowed goal clear, describing the decision as “a joke”, but also pointed to what he felt should have been two penalties for Northern Ireland. He believes that if it takes five minutes to make a decision, then surely in the spirit of the game, it should be given to the attacking team.
Motivation for Monday Night
Despite the crushing feeling of the disallowed goal, O’Neill does not feel that it is necessary to use it as motivation for getting a result against Kazakhstan on Monday night. He believes that his team will be ready to play, and will be proud of how they performed against Denmark.
Conclusion
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill is confident that his team can take points in their upcoming matches, despite their injury woes and heartbreaking 1-0 defeat by Denmark. He believes that the team must be realistic with the level they can compete at on a consistent basis, and he hopes that the experience his players have gained from this game will help them in their international journey. Despite the crushing feeling of the disallowed goal, O’Neill does not feel that it is necessary to use it as motivation for getting a result against Kazakhstan on Monday night.