Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland would have to treat their 5-1 demolition with the aid of Sweden as a discovering adventure, caution things gets harder nevertheless in World Cup qualifying.
Northern Ireland were blown away in Tuesday’s friendly in Stockholm, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga many of the objectives.
Emil Holm, Benjamin Nygren and Ken Sema have been additionally heading in the right direction for Sweden, who have scored five or extra targets in lower back-to-to come back abode internationals for the first time for the reason that 1957, having beaten Azerbaijan 6-0 closing outing on abode soil.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, conceded more dreams in Tuesday’s defeat than they had across their remaining eight internationals combined (four), considering a five-1 loss to Spain ultimate June.
Speaking after the sport, O’Neill praised his gamers’ utility and mentioned his view that the ultimate scoreline did now not in actuality replicate the stability of play.
“We definitely didn’t come here to have a scoreline like we had this night, however we knew it'd be a difficult online game,” referred to O’Neill.
“In all honesty, the attitude of the crew was massive. They not ever stopped seeking to play. It became a rough night time however that’s why we took a game like this.
“I assume five-1 is maybe a piece harsh fixed games today on us but at the give up of the day we did give them possibilities, and at this level they are going to punish you.
“But we’re asking a good number of young avid gamers who aren’t taking part in each week for his or her golf equipment. They will not be uncovered to this stage and this satisfactory of player.”
Sweden in basic terms just outshot Northern Ireland, having sixteen attempts and facing 14, even though their opportunities had a complete value of three.02 predicted targets (xG) to Northern Ireland’s 1.06.
The next world wreck sees Northern Ireland face one other friendly in opposition to Scandinavian competition in Iceland, ahead of World Cup qualifiers towards Luxembourg and Germany in September.
“You continuously gain knowledge of in foreign soccer. Our workforce is made up of players who play within the Championship and League One,” O’Neill endured.
“They have been playing in opposition to gamers who play at the high degree in the suitable leagues.
“That’s the big difference. The physicality and the rate became a situation for us however it’s one we’re going to have to handle.
“There’s one other degree above this – we must go and play Germany – so we understand what’s in shop but we will basically get improved if we reveal ourselves to this level of competition.”