NI to 'channel anger' over penalty - O'Neill
Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill said his side will have to "channel the anger" stemming from the controversial penalty decision that allowed Switzerland to win the first leg of their UEFA World Cup playoff.
Xherdan Shaqiri's volley from distance struck the upper arm of defender Corry Evans as he jumped in front of the shot at Windsor Park on Thursday night.
Replays appeared to show Evans' arm was not outstretched, but Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan awarded a penalty nonetheless, and Ricardo Rodriguez calmly converted from the spot.
O'Neill disagreed with the decision but said it could spark his side in the second leg.
"The referee has no-one in his line of sight. Corry's arm isn't in an unnatural position, it's by his side. The ball hits him on the back more than anything," he told Sky Sports.
"I thought the referee had blown for a foul or an offside. Nobody had claimed for it. I'm staggered by the decision, staggered by the yellow card.
"It's such a defining moment in the match. The opening tackle by Fabian Schar was borderline. I thought it was a red card. The referee hasn't done us any favours.
"We have to forget about it. I thought the players' reaction to it was very good. We played much better in the second half, the game was even. We are still in the tie. Maybe a referee will give us a decision in the second leg.
"I'll have to pick the players up. There's anger in the dressing room. We're going to have to find a way to get a goal back.
"Stuart Dallas' injury is a blow. I thought the players who came on did well. We might look to freshen the team up on Sunday.
"We have to channel the anger."
Source: espn.co.uk
Comments
This article has 0 comment(s) , give your comment