Switz the end of the World Cup

Proud GAWA hail heroes after team battle back in Basel

PRIDE was mixed with despair – and no small measure of bitterness – as Northern Ireland fans rued what might have been after missing out on the World Cup in Russia.

The battling goalless draw in Basel meant the Green And White Army’s dream of another tournament adventure was snuffed out by the controversial penalty decision in Belfast that gifted the Swiss the only goal of the two-leg play-off.

That calamitous refereeing call still rankled as supporters emerged from St Jakob Park in Basel.

But the overriding emotion among those sodden from a day of thunderstorms was pride.

Adam Duffy from Lisburn, Co Down, was one of the thousands of travelling fans who sang and roared their heroes on throughout the match.

He said: “We played with hearts on our sleeves – a brilliant performance. If we had played like that in Belfast I think we would be talking about a different result.

“I thought they were magnificent – we were the better team. I am just so proud.”

Paul Mcallister from Bangor, Co Down, hailed the team as “amazing”.

He added: “We really went at the game and in the last five minutes could have scored – it was kicked off the line.”

Mr Mcallister also made an impassioned plea for boss Michael O’neill not to leave amid fears Sunday’s game might have been his last.

He urged: “Take this team to the next Euros.” Selina Sayers from Belfast’s Shankill Road added: “It’s heartbreaking for us and the players. We were robbed.”

Incessant rain did little to quell the voices of the Green and White Army as they dreamed of an upset in Switzerland.

But a dream it would remain, as reality proved a cruel master.

At the final whistle Martin Griffin from Lisburn summed it up. He said: “They gave it 100%.

“The fans were brilliant, the team was brilliant but at the end of the day we aren’t going to Russia.

“The penalty cost us, but we’ll rise above it and we’ll go again.”

We were the better team by a mile. I am just so proud FAN ADAM DUFFY LAST NIGHT IN BASEL

GAME OVER Team leave the pitch last night

GAWA-Y FANS Before kick-off in St Jakob Park CURL BLOW Fan after the match TUM ON NORN IRON Fans show their devotion HOPE FADES Fanzone at Boucher Road, Belfast DEJECTED Manager Michael O’neill at final whistle last night HEARTBREAK Northern Ireland...