After receiving a "sucker-punch" from substitute Abat Aimbetov in the 88th minute of Monday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Kazakhstan at home, Michael O'Neill claimed that Northern Ireland did not deserve to lose.
In spite of having more possession of the ball and more opportunities, O'Neill's injury-plagued team lost 1-0 for the third time in a row in Group H due to poor play in the final third.
When Aimbetov got free from his own half late in the game, riding challenges from Craig Cathcart and Paddy McNair before slotting past Bailey Peacock-Farrell, they had been searching fruitlessly for a winner.
Michael O'Neill argued that Northern Ireland did not deserve to lose after receiving a "sucker-punch" from replacement Abat Aimbetov in the 88th minute of Monday's home Euro 2024 qualifier against Kazakhstan.
O'Neill's injury-riddled team fell 1-0 for the third time in a row in Group H despite having more ball control and opportunities owing to subpar play in the final third.
They had been trying in vain to find a winner when Aimbetov broke clear from his own half late in the game, riding tackles from Craig Cathcart and Paddy McNair before slotting past Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
We had to modify the formation at that time after Jonny (Evans, who had a shoulder injury), and the back four was somewhat patched up. Then, we concede a goal right before the buzzer, which was a tremendous sucker-punch.It's a very unfortunate outcome since I believe Kazakhstan was more than willing to accept a point, but they ended up with three.It is quite unfortunate that we lost the game 
in that manner. We've lost three games by a 1-0 score, and we've given up goals that are unacceptably costly if you want to advance at this level. Right now, we're discovering this the hard way and it is very encouraging
blogpay
