Play-offs for Northern Ireland after draw against Dutch in Belfast

Northern Ireland’s slim hopes of qualifying automatically for the Euro 2020 finals ended as they drew 0-0 with the Netherlands in Belfast.

Captain Steven Davis blasted a first-half penalty over the bar in what may be manager Michael O’Neill’s final home game in charge.

NI can still progress to next summer’s tournament through the play-offs, for which O’Neill will remain at the helm.

The Dutch have reached the finals after earning the one point they needed.

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Germany will also compete in next summer’s finals as they moved top of Group C, two points ahead of the Dutch, with a 4-0 home win over Belarus, rendering Tuesday night’s final fixtures between Germany and Northern Ireland and the Netherlands and Estonia meaningless in terms of qualification.

Northern Ireland’s place in the play-offs was assured by virtue of Sweden’s victory over Romania on Friday night, with an away tie against Bosnia the most likely scenario as it stands.

O’Neill’s side faced the daunting task of having to beat the Dutch and the Germans by a cumulative total of at least four goals to finish in the top two, but they fell short in the first of those two challenges.

O’Neill shows positivity after Stoke move

The match was played against the backdrop of O’Neill having agreed to take over as manager of struggling Championship side Stoke City eight days ago, and the team and supporters were keen to mark what could potentially be the final home game of O’Neill’s eight-year reign with a notable victory.

O’Neill will always be revered as the manager who took his country to their first-ever European Championships and a first major tournament finals for 30 years.

He could yet add to that legacy by securing a place at next year’s tournament, although it remains unsure whether he would lead Northern Ireland to those finals should they make it through their play-off semi-final and final in four months’ time.

Having seen his side suffer an agonising last-gasp defeat to the Dutch last month despite a spirited defensive display, O’Neill showed more positive intent by selecting an attacking line-up for this encounter.

Fit-again Jamal Lewis was restored to the side along with Cardiff city winger Gavin Whyte and Josh Magennis, who was rewarded for scoring three goals as a substitute during this campaign.

NI fail to make most of strong start

Northern Ireland came out of the blocks quickly, creating a series of good goalscoring chances in the early minutes as Paddy McNair and Whyte caused havoc on the right flank.

Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen took too long to clear the ball and Corry Evans chased him down and blocked his clearance, but the ball did not land in time for the Blackburn midfielder to put the ball into the empty net.

Magennis glanced a header wide from one of a series of dangerous McNair crosses, while George Saville had a shot blocked.

The home side’s best opportunity fell to skipper Davis, though, as he blasted his penalty over the bar just after the half-hour mark after Joel Veltman was adjudged to have handled as Saville had an effort on goal.

The Rangers midfielder was unable to add to his tally of 12 international goals on the night he became the UK’s most capped midfielder, making his 116th appearance, surpassing the tally accumulated by David Beckham.

Koeman secures much-needed qualification

At the media conference the day before the game, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman issued what was perceived as a partial apology for his post-match comments following the game in Rotterdam when he branded Northern Ireland’s tactics “outrageous” and “terrible to watch”, saying he did not mean to disrespect his opponents.

The former midfielder, who replaced Dick Advocaat at the helm in February 2018, has successfully led his team to next year’s finals, however, which is a relief for Dutch fans after they missed out on qualification for the 2016 European Championships in France and the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

The Netherlands were without Lyon striker Memphis Depay, who has scored six goals in this campaign, and Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who were both ruled out through injury.

After weathering the early Northern Ireland storm, Steven Berghuis hit the woodwork and Ryan Babel and Quincy Promes both sent curling shots just wide of the target.

The visitors dominated possession in the second half but failed to create clear-cut chances as the Northern Ireland defence, with Craig Cathcart and Jonny Evans impressive, held firm.

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