Switzerland will prove to be tough ‘mental examination’

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’neill has warned Switzerland they face a mental examination in Belfast next month in the first leg of their World

Cup play-off tie.

O’neill was in Zurich for the play-off draw yesterday when his side learned that it would be the Swiss standing between them and a place at the World Cup, a tournament they last reached in 1986.

Given the Northern Irish were one of four unseeded teams, O’neill’s preference had been to avoid Italy and Croatia, and he got his wish as ex-spain and Real Madrid defender Fernando Hierro pitted them against Switzerland.

The Swiss won nine of their 10 group games but missed out on automatic qualification to Portugal having lost 2-0 in Lisbon earlier this month, with O’neill mindful of the possible psychological impact.

“It’s a good draw, not an easy draw, but a good draw as it’s still a tie that we are capable of winning,” O’neill said.

“Switzerland come into play-offs with nine victories, they lost the 10th game to Portugal and probably envisaged automatic qualification, and they have to pick themselves up a little bit.

“We knew the plays-off was always going to be our route to get to Russia. We’re in a good place and with the first leg being in Belfast, we have to test where they are mentally.

“It’s wrong to call it a favourable draw, but certainly beforehand we would have taken it.

“Switzerland are a very good team but possibly they don’t have the historical reputation of a European heavyweight like Italy or the world-class individuals that Croatia have.

“There’s a massive prize at stake and we have to make sure we want it more than them.”

The first leg will be played at Windsor Park on Thursday November 9 before the two meet again in Switzerland three days later.

Michael O’neill says his side are capable of beating Switzerland.