Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland should deal with their five-1 demolition by Sweden as a discovering revel in, warning things will get more challenging nevertheless in World Cup qualifying.
Northern Ireland had been blown away in Tuesday’s friendly in Stockholm, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga one of several pursuits.
Emil Holm, Benjamin Nygren and Ken Sema have been additionally not off course for Sweden, who have scored five or more dreams in again-to-returned residence internationals for the first time seeing that 1957, having crushed Azerbaijan 6-zero final time out on residence soil.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, conceded more objectives in Tuesday’s defeat than they'd across their final 8 internationals blended (4), on the grounds that a five-1 loss to Spain closing June.
Speaking after the game, O’Neill praised his players’ program and defined his view that the very last scoreline did now not essentially replicate the balance of play.
“We most likely didn’t come the following to have a scoreline like we had this night, however we knew it would be a powerful online game,” noted O’Neill.
“In all honesty, the mindset of the workforce become extraordinary. They certainly not stopped looking to play. It was once a rough nighttime however that’s why we took a online game like this.
“I suppose five-1 is perhaps a section harsh on us yet at the conclusion of the day we did supply them opportunities, and at this stage they will punish you.
“But we’re asking a number of young gamers who aren’t enjoying each and every week for their clubs. They don't seem to be uncovered to this level and this high-quality of player.”
Sweden most effective simply outshot Northern Ireland, having sixteen tries and going through 14, regardless that their chances had a total value of three.02 envisioned objectives (xG) to Northern Ireland’s 1.06.
The subsequent overseas smash sees Northern Ireland face an additional friendly in opposition t Scandinavian competition in Iceland, beforehand of World Cup qualifiers opposed to Luxembourg and Germany in September.
“You perpetually be taught in international soccer. Our team is made up of gamers who play within the free fixed matches Championship and League One,” O’Neill continued.
“They had been enjoying in opposition t players who play on the properly degree inside the pinnacle leagues.
“That’s the big difference. The physicality and the velocity was a task for us yet it’s one we’re going to should deal with.
“There’s yet one more point above this – we ought to move and play Germany – so we realize what’s in retailer but we can simplest get more suitable if we expose ourselves to this stage of opposition.”