Irish heartbreak.

Northern Ireland boss praises players as World Cup dream ends in heartbreak

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill looks dejected after his country’s World Cup dream was ended by Switzerland in Basel last night.

SWITZERLAND 0 NORTHERN IRELAND 0 (1-0 ON AGGREGATE)

Michael O’Neill refused to discuss his future as Northern Ireland manager after his side agonisingly missed out on a place in next year’s World Cup after a play-off defeat to Switzerland last night.

Northern Ireland were held to a goalless draw in Basel, meaning Ricardo Rodriguez’s controversial penalty in the first leg at Windsor Park was all that separated the sides.

There have been suggestions O’Neill may now end a largely successful six-year tenure at the helm of the Green and White Army, but the 48-year-old was unwilling to think about his position in the immediate aftermath of his side’s setback.

He told Sky Sports: “I’ve not even given it any thought. I don’t think it’s a reasonable question at this time. My focus is with the players and the boys in the dressing room.”

O’Neill expressed his pride at Northern Ireland’s display last night but once again lamented the spot-kick – awarded for an apparent handball by Corry Evans – three days earlier that proved decisive over the course of the 180 minutes.

NorthernIrelandhadtheiropportunities in Basel, most notably in added-on time when Jonny Evans’ header was cleared off the line by Rodriguez as the Swiss narrowly held on to seal their place in Russia.

O’Neill said: “They couldn’t have given any more; what they gave for me, what they gave each other, what they gave for the country was phenomenal.

“I thought the performance was magnificent but ultimately we’ve gone out to a really poor decision in the first leg.

“I thought our performance was fabulous, our reaction to what happened on Thursday night was fabulous.

“We were the better team, I felt, and yes we had to ride our luck at times, we knew that, but right until the 94th minute we were pushing to try and keep our dream alive of going to the World Cup.

“There’s a devastated bunch of players in there but I couldn’t be any prouder of their efforts.

“I’m sure they’ll have some regrets about the performance in the first leg but ultimately if it wasn’t for the penalty we’d have drawn the first leg 0-0 and we’d still be playing extra time now.”

O’Neill’s side went down fighting, with the type of spirit that has typified his tenure.

His bold team selection, which featured four changes and Stuart Dallas despite an injury concern, was reminiscent of the way he shuffled his pack against Ukraine at Euro 2016 when Northern Ireland were facing elimination after a poor performance against Poland.

And, as on that occasion, there was a vast improvement. The Northern Irish 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 Chris Brunt’s long-range effortwaspushedbehindbyYannSommer.

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.

Michael McGovern was keeping the visitors in the tie, saving at his near post from Shaqiri and with his legs from Steven Zuber, as his outfield team-mates notably tired on a quagmire of a pitch ruined by rain.

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.

O’Neill moved veteran centre-back Gareth McAuley up front – and there was to be one final chance for the visitors.

Sommer completely misjudged Brunt’s deep cross and Jonny Evans was at the back post to meet it only for Rodriguez to hack off the line.

Getty. Jonny Evans’ last-minute header was cleared off the line by Ricardo Rodriguez as Switzerland booked their World Cup place.