List of All Articles with Tag 'b'

Michael O’Neill said Northern Ireland did not deserve to lose Monday’s Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Kazakhstan after being hit by a “sucker-punch” from substitute Abat Aimbetov in the 88th minute. Northern Ireland had more of the ball and created more opportunities, but the lack of quality in the final third told once again as O’Neill’s injury-hit squad fell to a 1-0 defeat for a third consecutive Group H match. They had been pushing for a winner without joy when Aimbetov broke away from his own half late on, riding a challenge from Craig Cathcart and then Paddy McNair before slotting past Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Qualification for next summer’s finals now looks a long shot as Northern Ireland have only three points, secured against minnows San Marino, from their opening four fixtures, but O’Neill’s bigger concern this week has been nurturing a young team with 10 senior players missing. “I don’t think it was merited,” O’Neill said in the wake of a result that was greeted with boos at the final whistle at Windsor Park. “We were very dominant in the first half, we found it quite difficult to play through a team that was set up to defend deep with 10 players behind the ball. “We created one or two opportunities…and we gave up one chance which was poor defending on our part. In the second half I think the game looked like it was drifting a bit but I think the substitutes gave us a lift. “We lost Jonny (Evans, who came off with a shoulder injury) at that point, we had to change the shape and we were a little bit patched up in the back four, and then we lose a goal right at the end, a real sucker-punch. “I think Kazakhstan were more than happy to settle for a point and they came away with all three and it’s a very disappointing result. “For us to lose the game in that way is extremely disappointing. We’ve lost three games 1-0, we’ve conceded goals that if you’re going to progress at this level you can’t concede and we’re learning the hard way at the moment that the mistakes we’re making are costing us.” O’Neill has spent much of this international window and the one in March preaching caution given Northern Ireland’s injury predicament, talking about how much was being asked of young players, many of whom lack first-team experience at club level, let alone international. Conor Bradley was missing through injury but there were still two teenagers in the starting line-up in Shea Charles and Isaac Price, with Dale Taylor among those coming off the bench. Patience could be a key word, but after a second half in which the atmosphere at Windsor fell flat, some fans booed as the players walked off. “Fans are entitled to boo,” O’Neill said. “We lost the game 1-0. I don’t read too much into that. Very rarely do you go to a match where the home team lose 1-0 and the fans cheer. “They were probably frustrated to see us lose the game as we are as staff and players, but hopefully they see a young team which is going to have to take a bit of time to mould that team. “We need a little more experience and some of our more experienced players back to help a lot of those younger players.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Thibaut Courtois denies Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco claim he refused to travel Kylian Mbappe breaks Just Fontaine’s record in France’s win over Greece Northern Ireland stunned as Kazakhstan substitute Abat Aimbetov nets late winner

Asian stocks are poised for a mixed open on Tuesday as the rally in global equities shows signs

Damian Lillard might not request a trade even if the Trail Blazers are unable to trade the No. 3 overall pick before the NBA Draft.It seems like Damian Lillard might not leave Portland after all the talk that he would if the Trail Blazers did not make a move this offseason.In a recent batch ...

Chile’s central bank held its key interest rate unchanged at an over two-decade high in a surprise split

You've seen the regular MLB standings. Now, let's look at how the standings would look if the result of every team's one-run games were flipped.The 2023 MLB season has gone on for over two months. As of this writing (June 19, 2023), there are a couple of weeks until the All-Star G...

South Korea’s $169 billion sovereign wealth fund has returned to gains this year, partially recovering from the double-digit

The long lines of customers outside Chanel and Louis Vuitton stores on Hong Kong’s Canton Road are finally

Masayoshi Son is due to make his first public appearance in seven months at SoftBank Group Corp.’s annual

Victor Wembanyama signed autographs for well-wishers after getting off a flight from France on Monday ahead of his expected selection with the top...

By Jamie McGeever A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist.

The Braves are one of the favorites to win the World Series, but there are a few different factors and teams that could cause them trouble.The Atlanta Braves are one of the most talented and complete rosters in the entire MLB. They have the National League's top two leaders in RBIs (Matt Ol...

UBS Group AG faces hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties over Credit Suisse's mishandling of Archegos Capital,