Northern Ireland v Lithuania (12/11/2021)

We may not have met our target of reaching a play-off but we definitely want to finish our FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification campaign on a high.

We have two home games in front of you, our fans, over the next four days - and we want you to go home looking forward to the UEFA Nations League and Euro qualifiers which are coming up over the next couple of years. Both the players and staff are in good spirits ahead of our double header in the final international window of the year. We have had some ups and downs during this World Cup campaign and that was to be expected given that the team is going through a period of transition. But we have set ourselves high standards and we need to ensure we maintain those high standards and make sure we become a team that performs for 90 minutes, and not 70 or 75 minutes. Personally I am delighted to have been offered a new two-year contract by the Irish Football Association. I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the Northern Ireland set-up, first as U21s manager and now as senior men’s team manager. The association’s Board members know I am passionate about my job and how I like to give youth a chance. I am delighted they have put their faith and trust me. Although I am disappointed that our World Cup qualification campaign did not go as well as myself, my staff and the players expected, I am nevertheless confident we are putting together

the wider group. They have a first class attitude and they are hungry to play for their country. Even though we defeated Lithuania 4-1 in Vilnius in September we will not be taking them lightly in this evening’s reverse European Qualifying Group C encounter. We know the Lithuanians are strong, resolute and really compact . They had a good result at home to Bulgaria last month and their new coach is starting to implement fresh ideas. Lithuania will run for 90 minutes. They won’t make it easy for us and they have two or three players who can hurt you if you stand off them and give them time. We can’t allow that to happen. Naturally, I am delighted that the stadium will be close to capacity once more for both this match and the game against Italy on Monday. The atmosphere against Switzerland in September was superb and I am really looking forward to leading the team out at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park once again. The onus is on us to give you a performance worthy of you getting behind us. I have told the players we must take a positive result and performance into the Italy game and I know they will want to do that - and that they can do that . IAN BARACLOUGH NORTHERN IRELAND MANAGER

a strong squad for future campaigns. We now have a nice blend of youth and

experience and I have been pleased at how the younger players have seamlessly become part of

IRISHFA.COM

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