After Saturday’s 1-0 rout by Wales, Northern Ireland is leaving Euro 2016 with a pestering, baffling feeling they didn’t take advantage of what may be a rare open door.
Having met all requirements for their first real finals in 30 years, they succeeded in achieving the knockout stages. That is a fine accomplishment for an unfancied group that was in pot five when the qualifying step was made back in February 2014.
However, the actuality their disposal came on account of Wales will annoy. Not title holders Germany, has France or holders Spain, yet Wales, a group one spot underneath them in the Fifa rankings.
That it was down to an own objective from the generally great Gareth McAuley fortifies the anguish.
By and by, Northern Ireland’s sublime fans kept focused the stadium, singing themselves raspy as they had done from well before the diversion, and administrator Michael O’Neill and his players will thank the fans for their splendid backing at an open occasion in Belfast on Monday.
Nonetheless, they will do as such frustrated that they lost three of their four matches in France.
Northern Ireland’s next aggressive match is on 4 September when World Cup qualifying begins with a trek to the Czech Republic. Having marked another four-year contract, it is normal O’Neill’s hand will be on the tiller.
The 46-year-old’s past administrative experience was with Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers, however, his stock has ascended with an upgraded notoriety as an adroit strategist who gets the best out of restricted assets. Against Wales on Saturday, for instance, his choice to play wing-backs counteracted a ton of the restriction’s assaulting risk.
O’Neill said amid the competition that if an occupation offer came up, he would assess it, in spite of the fact that he included he is cheerful in his part.
“Michael has rejuvenated the team, got the players onside. None of them are crying off with injuries now,” said Hibernian manager Neil Lennon, a former Northern Ireland skipper.
“Northern Ireland have held their own at a major tournament and to top what Michael has done is going to be difficult.”
O’Neill trusts the 23 players in his squad will have profited from the experience of being at Euro 2016.
Accepting he stays in control, he should now guarantee all his key players are ready for the World Cup qualifiers against holders Germany and also the Czech Republic, Norway, Azerbaijan and San Marino.
Amid Euro 2016, he refered to the case of Portugal guard Ricardo Carvalho who, at 38, is the most seasoned outfield player at the competition.
O’Neill said he would utilize that while convincing 36-year-old protectors Gareth McAuley and Aaron Hughes to bear on for one all the more qualifying effort.
“The players have not got long to mull over what has been a fantastic time, get a break, pick themselves up and go again,” added Lennon.
“Whether we can make another tournament remains to be seen.
“A lot of revenue has come in because Northern Ireland got through the group stage and that money has got to be used in the right way.
“There has to be an infrastructure in place under Michael O’Neill and Irish Football Association elite performance director Jim Magilton.
“Hopefully, the benefits will be seen in four of five years’ time.”
