Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland have to deal with their 5-1 demolition with the aid of Sweden vip fixed matches as a gaining knowledge of enjoy, caution issues will get harder 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 some of the aims.
Emil Holm, Benjamin Nygren and Ken Sema have been also heading in the right direction for Sweden, who've scored five or greater goals in again-to-back home internationals for the primary time when you consider that 1957, having overwhelmed Azerbaijan 6-0 closing time out on residence soil.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, conceded more goals in Tuesday’s defeat than they had throughout their remaining eight internationals blended (4), given that a 5-1 loss to Spain last June.
Speaking after the sport, O’Neill praised his gamers’ utility and defined his view that the remaining scoreline did now not easily replicate the balance of play.
“We evidently didn’t come right here to have a scoreline like we had tonight, however we knew it would be a demanding game,” mentioned O’Neill.
“In all honesty, the approach of the group used to be good. They certainly not stopped trying to play. It changed into a powerful evening yet that’s why we took a sport like this.
“I feel 5-1 is might be a little bit harsh on us but on the conclusion of the day we did provide them alternatives, and at this level they can punish you.
“But we’re asking numerous younger gamers who aren’t enjoying every week for his or her clubs. They should not exposed to this level and this high quality of player.”
Sweden basically just outshot Northern Ireland, having 16 tries and dealing with 14, though their chances had a complete cost of 3.02 predicted goals (xG) to Northern Ireland’s 1.06.
The next world smash sees Northern Ireland face an alternate friendly in opposition t Scandinavian competition in Iceland, ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany in September.
“You all the time study in foreign football. Our team is made of players who play within the Championship and League One,” O’Neill endured.
“They had been playing opposed to gamers who play at the exact level in the accurate leagues.
“That’s the difference. The physicality and the speed became a obstacle for us yet it’s one we’re going to ought to focus on.
“There’s an additional point above this – we should go and play Germany – so we understand what’s in shop yet we will simplest get higher if we reveal ourselves to this degree of competition.”