Down but definitely not out ... now for Ukraine
By Alex Keery in FRANCE
It was Northern Ireland’s first-ever game at the European Championships – and their return to the main stage of international competition for the first time in 30 years.
But things against Poland just did not go to plan yesterday.
Michael O’Neill reverted to the older system of playing Kyle Lafferty on his own up front.
It looked like a team set out to play for a draw – but they just invited pressure, and the Poles piled it on. They dominated early proceedings, and Northern Ireland will have been thankful to reach the interval at 0-0.
But the Polish goal soon came through Milik – and O’Neill’s men offered basically nothing in response.
Although disappointing, there were certainly some positive notes for Northern Ireland.
O’Neill said “I look at a lot of our players and probably they’ll think individually they could have played better.
“Collectively in terms of work and what they put into the game we could not have asked any more from that.”
McAuley, Evans and Cathcart all played a part in frustrating Robert Lewandowski – who had a day to forget.
And Michael O’Neill’s side ended the game looking much brighter, after Stuart Dallas and Conor Washington were subbed on.
The only target now is a win over Ukraine in Lyon…
O’Neill said they would have to consider taking a different tactical approach.
“That’s something we are going to have to adapt to very very quickly because I don’t envisage Ukraine will be any different of a prospect in that respect as well,” he said.
“But having got the opening game out of the way we have to now try and do better and see what we can take out of it.”
And it will be an equally big game, too, for Ukraine, on Thursday – after losing to Germany last night.
The World Champions claimed a 2-0 win, although it wasn’t always plain sailing - the Ukrainians are far from pushovers…
Yesterday’s other game saw Croatia beat Turkey 1-0, thanks to Luka Modric and his early contender for goal of the tournament.
Now, the Republic of Ireland begin their Euro campaign today…
They are up in Paris, taking on Sweden.
It looks like Captain Robbie Keane won’t start that game – he has had a few fitness issues, and barely featuring during qualifying.
But Martin O’Neill is probably paying more attention to his defence, who have to deal with Zlatan Ibrahimovich…
Finally there are a couple of cracking games on elsewhere today too…
Spain have the Czech Republic this afternoon, and tonight, Belgium take on Italy.