Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland have got to treat their five-1 demolition via Sweden as a studying feel, caution matters gets more difficult nevertheless in World Cup qualifying.
Northern Ireland were blown away in Tuesday’s pleasant in Stockholm, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga a few of the objectives.
Emil Holm, Benjamin Nygren and Ken Sema had been also on course for Sweden, who have scored five or greater dreams in returned-to-lower back domestic internationals for the 1st time considering that 1957, having overwhelmed Azerbaijan 6-zero last outing on abode soil.
Northern Ireland, in the meantime, conceded extra goals in Tuesday’s defeat than they'd throughout their remaining 8 internationals blended (four), on account that a five-1 loss to Spain last June.
Speaking after the game, O’Neill praised his avid gamers’ program and outlined his view that the very last scoreline did no longer really reflect the balance of play.
“We undoubtedly didn’t come the following to have a scoreline like we had tonight, however we knew it would be a difficult recreation,” pointed out O’Neill.
“In all honesty, the approach of the group used to be significant. They not at all stopped looking to play. It was a tricky evening yet that’s why we took a sport like this.
“I suppose five-1 is probably a chunk harsh on us however at the finish of the day we did provide them chances, and at this stage they are going to punish you.
“But we’re asking a good number of young players who aren’t playing each week for genuine fixed matches his or her clubs. They don't seem to be exposed to this stage and this satisfactory of participant.”
Sweden best simply outshot Northern Ireland, having sixteen makes an attempt and facing 14, despite the fact that their opportunities had a total fee of three.02 predicted ambitions (xG) to Northern Ireland’s 1.06.
The next international destroy sees Northern Ireland face yet another friendly in opposition t Scandinavian opposition in Iceland, ahead of World Cup qualifiers in opposition t Luxembourg and Germany in September.
“You invariably research in world football. Our group is made of gamers who play within the Championship and League One,” O’Neill continued.
“They have been taking part in in opposition to avid gamers who play on the best level within the true leagues.
“That’s the big difference. The physicality and the velocity became a problem for us yet it’s one we’re going to must manage.
“There’s yet another level above this – we need to pass and play Germany – so we be aware of what’s in save yet we will in simple terms get more desirable if we divulge ourselves to this level of opposition.”