DAVIS CURSES THE BAD LUCK OF THE IRISH

STEVEN DAVIS claims Northern Ireland missed a great opportunity in their heartbreaking defeat by Holland.

Michael O’neill’s side led with 10 minutes to go before conceding three goals to suffer a hammer blow to their dream of automatic qualification for Euro 2020.

Davis was gutted to lose and feels they let slip the chance to record a famous victory. “The result was a bit harsh, we put so much into the game,” said the Irish skipper (above).

“It’s a sore one to take. It feels like a missed opportunity from the position we got ourselves in late on in the game.

“We’re disappointed with the goals we conceded. The second one is a bit of a freak and unfortunately for all the work we’ve put in, we haven’t come away with anything.”

Northern Ireland lost their shape and discipline after defending so resolutely when Memphis Depay equalised with the first of his two goals.

The Dutch took full advantage to score twice in stoppage time to win.

“Whenever you concede goals, there are always things you can do better,” said Rangers midfielder Davis. “Maybe after they got their first we started dropping off a bit deeper.

“But we put so much into the game. There were a lot of good things, but ultimately once again we haven’t come away with the result we wanted.”

Northern Ireland’s best hope of qualifying is through the play-offs and they are third in Group C with the return against the Dutch on November 16 followed by Germany away three days later.

Davis said: “The quality of the opposition makes those matches really tough, but we have to give our all and then see what happens beyond that in terms of the play-offs.”

Gini Wijnaldum expects the Irish to give Holland another testing time at Windsor Park.

“It felt like an English game,” said the Liverpool midfielder. “I remember when Liverpool played against Sheffield United and this was quite similar.

“The game in Belfast is not a given. We know it’s going to be a difficult night and even more so now we have played them here.”