O’neill’s men go down fighting
● Stalemate in Basel brings World Cup dream to a heartbreaking end
Northern Ireland’s World Cup dream died in Basel yesterday, though it was a controversial penalty three days earlier that ultimately sent Switzerland through to Russia.
The Green and White Army will spend years seething over Ovidiu Hategan’s decision to give a spot-kick for handball against Corry Evans at Windsor Park, with the Irish unable to overcome the deficit in a 0-0 draw at St Jakob-park.
Michael O’neill’s side went down fighting, with the type of spirit that has typified his tenure – which may now come to an end given the work he has done in taking his small country to the brink of a first World Cup in 32 years.
It might have continued had Jonny Evans’ stoppage-time header not been cleared off the line, fittingly, by Ricardo Rodriguez, the man who converted from 12 yards in Belfast to send Switzerland to their fourth straight World Cup.
The Irishmen had failed to register a single shot on target in Belfast but they threatened three times in the opening five minutes in Basel, most notably when Brunt’s long-range effort was pushed behind by goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
The Swiss finally awoke as Haris Seferovic glanced Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross wide and Blerim Dzemaili’s drive across the six-yard box was diverted over by Gareth Mcauley’s outstretched leg. Another rasping Brunt effort tested Sommer, but Michael Mcgovern was also keeping the visitors in the tie, saving at his near post from Shaqiri and with his legs from Steven Zuber.
The first big chance the visitors were craving came nine minutes after the break with a terrific counter instigated by George Saville.
His pass to the right flank was seized upon by Jamie Ward and the Nottingham Forest winger’s cross was met by a Conor Washington header that just looped past Sommer’s far post.
That seemed to spook Switzerland into settling for what they already had as Northern Ireland started to take control, even if further chances were not forthcoming.
O’neill brought on the more physical Josh Magennis and debutant Jordan Jones and switched to 4-4-2 with centre-back Gareth Mcauley as one of the forwards.
There was one final chance for the visitors. Sommer misjudged Brunt’s deep cross and Johnny Evans was at the back post to meet it only for Rodriguez to hack off the line.
Evans had argued Hategan’s call against his brother was a “worse decision” than the missed Thierry Henry handball that cost the Republic of Ireland eight years ago.
Now the Northern Irish know how their neighbours felt.