SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 10 hrs 50 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
NN
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Oct 10, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
NI

3-1

Depay (80', 94'), de Jong (91')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Magennis (75')

Michael O'Neill urges Northern Ireland to use Netherlands heartbreak as lesson

:Headline: Michael O'Neill urges Northern Ireland to use Netherlands heartbreak as lesson: ID:374689: from db_amp
A Josh Magennis goal had given the visitors hope before the Dutch hit back to win 3-1.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill will try to use the pain of Thursday night's late collapse against Holland to inspire his side in a last-ditch bid to save their Euro 2020 qualifying hopes next month.

The Green and White Army were on course for one of the biggest results in their history when Josh Magennis headed them in front in the 75th minute in Rotterdam and were still on course for a vital point after Memphis Depay's strike left it at 1-1 going into stoppage time.

But Luuk de Jong then poked Holland in front and Memphis rubbed salt in the wounds with his second deep into time added on.

Michael O'Neill knew his Northern Ireland side were up against it because they had Holland and Germany in their group (John Walton/PA)

The brutally cruel defeat left Northern Ireland needing an unlikely maximum haul from games next month at home to the Dutch and away to Germany to get out of Group C.

"When the draw was made in Dublin we knew we were in the toughest group," O'Neill said.

"We knew Germany were the pot two team everyone was trying to avoid but we were allocated that group and we had to meet that challenge head on.

"What we have to do is try to win the game in Belfast and then go into the game in Frankfurt with something to play for.

A goal from Josh Magennis had given Northern Ireland hope before things turned against them in Rotterdam (John Walton/PA)

"We can only do that if we beat Holland. Given the nature of how we lost here it would be nice to beat Holland in Belfast if we can."

O'Neill's side had executed his game plan well on the night, aware of their technical deficiencies compared to the Dutch but prepared to make up for it with dogged pressing, harassing Holland into mistakes and knocking them off their stride.

O'Neill spoke before the match of sowing doubt in the minds of a young Dutch team looking to avoid the ignominy of failing to reach a third successive major tournament, and for 80 minutes it appeared to be working.

"Maybe we're not a team that can compete technically but we can compete in terms of structure, spirit and heart and that's what we did," O'Neill said.

"But ultimately I don't tend to look back on games that we've lost with any great pride and this game will be no different."

O'Neill could turn to some of his squad players in the friendly against the Czech Republic (Steven Paston/PA)

Given the uphill task of getting out of Group C, Northern Ireland's best hope will be to secure a place in the play-offs next March. Results on Thursday strengthened their chances, though it is still not guaranteed.

In the short term, attention turns to Monday's friendly against the Czech Republic in Prague.

O'Neill will use the game to rest a number of regulars and focus on giving experience to the fringe players in his squad who sorely need it.

"We have to give opportunities to some of the players," he said. "Obviously a friendly off the back of a game like this is not that significant but equally we have to get game time into the young players.

"The players on the periphery of the square are playing their club football at a pretty low level and this is the top level. The Czech Republic will provide a stiff test for us too and hopefully it's a game we can pick ourselves up for."

amp_article__374689 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-10-11 11:36:24:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 17:42:09 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Michael O'Neill

Click here for more stories about Netherlands

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .