Northern Eire didn’t make their probabilities pay as they have been held to a irritating 0-0 Nations League draw by Belarus in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.
Michael O’Neill’s aspect had two objectives dominated out and hit the publish, all within the first half, however couldn’t discover the objective that may have despatched them prime of League C3 as their acquainted lack of leading edge proved expensive.
Conor Bradley, given the captain’s armband, did as he normally does in one other show of attacking verve, making a string of alternatives for his team-mates – Jamie Reid particularly.
However there was to be no reward as Belarus – taking part in behind closed doorways resulting from UEFA restrictions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – made it seven clear sheets of their final 9 aggressive video games.
On the different finish, 19-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles loved a quiet night time on his debut, with he and midfielder Shea changing into the twenty third set of brothers to play for Northern Eire or Eire.
Northern Eire have been initially sluggish to settle, and there was an early warning when Belarus performed a brief nook and Evgeni Shikavka received freed from his man solely to go huge.
However from then on the primary half was just about all Northern Eire, their efficiency having all the things however a objective as they’d 12 makes an attempt within the opening 45 minutes, forcing seven saves.
Bradley had the ball within the internet within the ninth minute, however was offside as he tucked within the rebound after Reid’s header was beautifully saved by Fedor Lapoukhov.
Within the fifteenth minute, Paddy McNair was unmarked as he met George Saville’s free-kick however despatched his header huge.
Trai Hume’s vary of passing from the best aspect of defence was on full present and an excellent ball picked out Reid as he bumped into the field, however Lapoukhov unfold himself to dam his low shot with a foot.
An audacious contact from Bradley to regulate one other Hume go set the Liverpool man away as he fed Callum Marshall, however once more Lapoukhov was equal each to his shot and the follow-up from Jamal Lewis.
Eoin Toal will need to have thought he had his first Northern Eire objective within the thirty ninth minute when he flicked a Shea Charles free-kick goalwards, solely to see the ball come off the publish earlier than Belarus scrambled it away.
The Bolton defender then had the ball within the internet from the ensuing nook, however the whistle had already gone for a tug.
Reid, who missed the September video games after a blood clot delayed the beginning of his season, had one other alternative early within the second half when Bradley picked him out on the penalty spot. He needed to twist and switch to create house for a shot, however then noticed it charged down.
However the probabilities have been now not coming as simply as they did within the first half as the sport turned scrappy, with Belarus doing a greater job of closing down the gaps.
Belarus have been screaming for a penalty within the 66th minute when Dmitri Antilevski made probably the most of getting the ball nicked away by Toal contained in the field, however Armenian referee Henrik Nalbandyan – officious all through the night time – immediately waved away the incident.
A sloppy go in midfield was picked off by Isaac Value, who burst ahead earlier than reducing it again for Bradley, who dragged a shot huge.
O’Neill had despatched on Dion Charles and Brodie Spencer instead of Marshall and Lewis, whereas an additional change with quarter-hour noticed ADO Den Haag’s Lee Bonis change Reid to make his worldwide debut.
However the impetus was gone as Northern Eire needed to accept some extent forward of Tuesday’s match at residence to Bulgaria.
