Penalty pain must be channelled: O’Neill

Michael O’Neill wants Northern Ireland to channel their indignation over Switzerland’s controversial penalty to inspire them in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier play-off second leg.

The Northern Irish camp are livid after losing Thursday’s first leg at Windsor Park 1-0, with handball awarded against Corry Evans for blocking Xherdan Shaqiri’s shot with what appeared to be either his back or the top of his arm.

No European team has ever progressed in the World Cup play-offs after losing the first leg at home but O’Neill hopes his team’s sense of injustice can be a catalyst for an historic success.

“We are a little bit of a victim and we have to use it in that way and we will see how the Swiss deal with it on their home territory,” he said.

“We have to deal with the decision and put it to the back of our minds and use it as a motivation.”

It was reminiscent of the Thierry Henry handball which robbed the Republic of Ireland in a play-off eight years earlier.

On that occasion the officials did not spot Henry clearly handling the ball in the build-up to William Gallas’ decisive strike and the Football Association of Ireland was unsuccessful in its request to FIFA to have the match replayed.

Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans claimed Hategan’s call in Belfast was “worse” because he interpreted something differently rather than failing to spot it.

However, Press Association Sport understands the Irish Football Association has no plans to follow the FAI’s route, not least because there is still a second leg to play.

Evans was booked for the handball, ruling him out of the second leg and the IFA is unable to appeal that.