AZERBAIJAN 0 IRELAND UTARA 1
Michael O'Neill percaya dengan semangat berpasukan Ireland Utara selepas mereka meraih jaringan lewat menerusi Stuart Dallas untuk menewaskan Azerbaijan 1-0 di Stadium Tofiq Bahramov, awal pagi tadi.
Ia kelihatan seperti pengunjung akan kecewa dalam percubaan mereka untuk mengekalkan tekanan ke atas Jerman di bahagian atas Kumpulan C kelayakan Piala Dunia.
Tetapi Dallas meledak pada masa kecederaan dan O'Neill melihat hasil itu sebagai tanda kemajuan pasukannya.
"Tiga, empat tahun lalu, kami akan tewas dalam perlawanan ini 1-0 dan orang ramai tidak akan terkejut dengannya," kata O'Neill kepada BBC.
"Keputusan ini adalah bukti kepada semangat dalam pasukan. Kami kekal dalam perlawanan, berjuang dan mendapat tuah."
Dan pemain pertahanan, Jonny Evans, menambah kegembiraan Ireland Utara terhadap jaringan Dallas adalah lebih besar disebabkan oleh kekecewaan lalu.
"Ia satu perasaan yang hebat," katanya. "Kami sering mendapat keputusan tidak baik sebelum ini dan ia mengecewakan.
"Ia mungkin kali pertama kami semua berasa simpati kepada pasukan lain kerana saya fikir mereka bermain dengan baik."
Penulis Jemputan
Sun Jun 11 2017
Mancini, Bonucci mahu Itali perbaiki mutu persembahan
Roberto Mancini dan Leonardo Bonucci mengakui terdapat ruang untuk diperbaiki Itali, di sebalik memulakan kempen kelayakan Piala Dunia 2022 dengan kemenangan 2-0 ke atas Ireland Utara.
O'Neill puji semangat berpasukan Ireland Utara
Michael O'Neill percaya dengan semangat berpasukan Ireland Utara selepas mereka meraih jaringan lewat menerusi Stuart Dallas untuk menewaskan Azerbaijan 1-0 di Stadium Tofiq Bahramov, awal pagi tadi.
'Lot of value' in Warriors keeping Curry, Green and Thompson together, says Kerr
Klay Thompson is set to enter free agency, raising the prospect of the Golden State Warriors' iconic trio being broken up this offseason.
Cole Palmer has nothing to prove to City, says Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino
The Blues forward faces his former team in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Jack Grealish: FA Cup semi-final the perfect game to ‘put right’ European exit
Manchester City face Chelsea on Saturday looking to bounce back from the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid,
What has caused the row over FA Cup replays and what happens next?
All replays from the first round have been scrapped for next season.
Leonard questionable for Game 1 versus Mavs as Clippers monitor 'unpredictable' situation
Kawhi Leonard faces a battle to be available for Game 1 of the Los Angeles Clippers' first-round showdown with the Dallas Mavericks.
Emiliano Martinez banned for first leg of Villa’s semi-final against Olympiacos
Brendan Rodgers warns Celtic not to ‘soften up’ during title run-in
Celtic remain top by three points – and have a five-goal advantage – with five matches remaining in the league.
Erling Haaland a doubt for FA Cup semi-final
The Manchester City striker suffered a muscular injury against Real Madrid which could keep him out of the Chelsea clash.
Philippe Clement urges Rangers to embrace intense environment of run-in
Rangers have just two wins from their last eight games in all competitions.
Bayern still have unfinished business in Bundesliga despite end of title reign
Bayer Leverkusen denied Bayern a 12th successive Bundesliga title last weekend.