Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland will have to deal with their five-1 demolition by way of Sweden as a studying journey, warning issues will get more durable nevertheless in World Cup qualifying.
Northern Ireland had been blown away in Tuesday’s friendly in Stockholm, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga one of the ambitions.
Emil Holm, Benjamin Nygren and Ken Sema were also on target for Sweden, who've scored five or greater aims in again-to-lower back house internationals for the 1st time given that 1957, having overwhelmed Azerbaijan 6-0 ultimate day out on house soil.
Northern Ireland, in the meantime, conceded greater goals in Tuesday’s defeat than they'd throughout their last 8 internationals blended (four), considering that a five-1 loss to Spain remaining June.
Speaking after the game, O’Neill praised his avid gamers’ application and defined his view that the very last scoreline did now not in truth reflect the stability of play.
“We most likely didn’t come here to have a scoreline like we had this night, however we knew it would be a hard sport,” pronounced O’Neill.
“In all honesty, the mindset of the staff become marvelous. They in no way stopped seeking to play. It was a not easy night however that’s why we took a game like this.
“I consider five-1 is perhaps a bit of harsh on us however on the finish of the day we did provide them alternatives, and at this point they're going to punish you.
“But we’re asking lots of younger oscar fixed matches avid gamers who aren’t enjoying every week for his or her clubs. They don't seem to be exposed to this level and this high-quality of player.”
Sweden purely simply outshot Northern Ireland, having sixteen makes an attempt and going through 14, though their percentages had a total magnitude of three.02 predicted desires (xG) to Northern Ireland’s 1.06.
The next foreign destroy sees Northern Ireland face an alternative pleasant opposed to Scandinavian opposition in Iceland, forward of World Cup qualifiers opposed to Luxembourg and Germany in September.
“You all the time be trained in world football. Our staff is made from avid gamers who play within the Championship and League One,” O’Neill endured.
“They were taking part in towards players who play at the accurate point in the top leagues.
“That’s the difference. The physicality and the rate become a obstacle for us but it’s one we’re going to ought to concentrate on.
“There’s another stage above this – we have got to go and play Germany – so we recognise what’s in keep however we will be able to most effective get greater if we reveal ourselves to this level of opposition.”