Tomas Bobcek’s stoppage-time purpose ended Northern Eire’s hopes of constructing it out of World Cup qualifying Group A, however they got here away from a 1-0 loss in Slovakia assured of a play-off place regardless.
Debutant Bobcek had solely been on the pitch for 3 minutes in when he fired in from Laszlo Benes’ nook within the first of eight minutes added on, and the purpose stood regardless of Northern Eire appeals for a foul after Daniel Ballard had gone down within the build-up.
Slovakia had already seen second-half strikes from Lukas Haraslin and David Strelec chalked off, however this time the purpose stood to spark wild celebrations as the house bench emptied.
Northern Eire, lacking 4 of the gamers who began final month towards Germany, battled laborious for 90 minutes however Slovakia held the sting and can go to Leipzig on Monday with an opportunity to high the group if they’ll beat Germany.
Northern Eire’s distress was accomplished by a second yellow card for Ballard within the dying moments, however Croatia’s 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands means they are going to be within the play-offs in March having gained their Nations League group.
With Shea Charles, Ali McCann, Brodie Spencer and Ethan Galbraith lacking via damage and suspension, Michael O’Neill introduced in Brad Lyons, Ruairi McConville, George Saville and the returning Conor Bradley, whereas Dion Charles began up entrance.
Slovakia, boosted by the returns of Stanislav Lobotka and David Hancko, instantly tried to get at this weakened Northern Eire aspect in a reverse of their 2-0 defeat in Belfast final month, however after a shaky begin the guests grew into the sport.
Northern Eire must qualify for the World Cup via the play-offs
Northern Eire ought to have led 17 minutes in when Ballard beat three defenders to get his head to Justin Devenny’s free-kick, solely to see his probability go a whisker large.
Slovakia instantly responded with their greatest probability of the half as Middlesbrough’s Strelec appeared to beat the offside entice to go one-on-one with Bailey Peacock-Farrell solely to hit the publish. The ball spun out to David Duris however he had no time to regulate as his header went over.
It was a tense, scrappy match, indicative of what was driving on it for each groups, and Northern Eire had been counting on set-pieces, however solely half-chances fell to Charles, who was then changed by Jamie Reid on the break.
Slovakia thought they’d taken the lead eight minutes into the second half when Haraslin’s drilled low free-kick from a good angle went all through, however Milan Skriniar was offside as he stretched for the ball in entrance of Peacock-Farrell.
That raised the quantity ranges contained in the Kosicka Futbalova Enviornment they usually had been even louder 10 minutes later when the hosts had one other one dominated out. Once more it was a free-kick large on the left, fired in by Haraslin, however Strelec used a hand to show it past Peacock-Farrell.
O’Neill tried modifications of personnel and form however Slovakia stored on coming and the resistance broke on the loss of life as Peacock-Farrell was unable to cope with the nook and Bobcek had his second of glory.
Ballard was then proven a harsh yellow for a push on Lobotka to earn his marching orders and, because the night time unravelled for Northern Eire, O’Neill was additionally booked by referee Istvan Kovacs after the ultimate whistle.
O’Neill: ‘Referee needed to be stronger’
Northern Eire supervisor Michael O’Neill believes Slovakia’s winner ought to’ve been disallowed
Northern Eire boss Michael O’Neill:
“You’re always disappointed when you lose a game late as we did, especially to a goal that should clearly have been disallowed.
“There is a clear push on Daniel Ballard on the nook, two fingers on his again.
“The other two goals that were disallowed should have been disallowed. The first goal was offside, the lines clearly show that, the second goal was handball.
“You must take a look at every incident on its advantage, you possibly can’t take a look at it cumulatively and referee the final incident in another way from how you’ve got refereed the opposite two. That is what (VAR) is there for…
“Bailey will know he should have done better. He comes when maybe he doesn’t need to come… but ultimately it’s still a foul.
“I mentioned to the referee that he wanted to be stronger and he booked me. However I went to shake his hand. I mentioned, ‘it is advisable be stronger’ and that was sufficient for him to e book me. If I am not allowed to say that, then I should not have mentioned that.”
