NI’s ‘decision-making’ lacking in Sweden – O’Neill

After being defeated 5-1 in a friendly by Sweden in Stockholm, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said his side “needs to defend better.”

Alexander Isak, the hosts’ forward, also scored their opening goal on Tuesday, and it was a fantastic fourth.

O’Neill felt the scoreline was “a little harsh” on his side, despite Isaac Price finding the net late in the game for Northern Ireland.

They accomplished some fantastic things, particularly Isak’s goal, according to O’Neill.

“We need to defend more,” he said. We didn’t defend well in terms of our decision-making as a back three, but as a back five we did not defend well.

In the opening 45 minutes, Sweden had a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to their only other two shots on target, and McConville missed a great chance for the visitors with a header just before the break.

“I didn’t believe there was a lot in it in the first half.” They scored two goals with two shots, O’Neill claimed.

The keeper saves two shots, and the other misses the target, according to the report.

O’Neill claimed to have played a higher level of football than they did in Nations League C in the previous friendly against Sweden, but he still felt his team suffered from injuries at the Strawberry Arena.

Without Conor Bradley of Liverpool and Trai Hume and Dan Ballard of Sunderland in their defense, Northern Ireland.

Due to injury, both striker Dion Charles and midfielder Ali McCann were also absent.

“We’re missing players who will affect the team, probably five or six players, possibly starting players,” O’Neill continued.