Former Northern Ireland captain Jim Magilton says a “bushfire” of poor decisions contributed to Tuesday night’s dismal 2-1 defeat to Bulgaria.
Conor Washington’s close range finish had Ian Baraclough’s men ahead and in control at the break but a lacklustre second half saw the Bulgarians hit back with a quickfire double from Todor Nedelev to end the visitors’ hopes of a play-off for Qatar.
“We were so disappointing in the second half,” Magilton told Radio Ulster.
“Without stating the obvious, it’s a game of two halves and in the second half we were so poor.
“In the second half Bulgaria did the basics better than we did, they played with more energy, injected pace into their side and there’s no question they were better.
“I do think we handed that initiative over. We made poor decisions and when you make poor decisions, it’s like a bushfire and it spreads through the team.”
