A sweeping sense of tension, but relief, nevertheless. Northern Ireland managed to hold their nerve against Romania to earn a gritty scoreless draw as Group F now takes on a fascinating shade.
Michael O’Neill’s men lacked craft and fluency for long periods and had to settle for a more prosaic approach against the group leaders and favourites, who went into this encounter without five key players. Indeed the Romania coach, Anghel Iordanescu, will be the slightly more satisfied with the result, cementing as it does the Tricolorii’s status.
The hosts could – and possibly should – have made real capital, as they pressed with due diligence in the latter stages, only to fall short when it came to composure in front of goal. Kyle Lafferty, the personification of Northern Ireland’s fine campaign with five goals so far to take them to these relatively rarefied heights, really should have netted late on.
Only he can explain how he managed to blast the ball straight at the Romania goalkeeper, Ciprian Tatarusanu, from close range. In front of a bank of home supporters, settled into the new east stand at an under-reconstruction Windsor Park, there was tangible frustration. It was that kind of night, with the new recruit Stuart Dallas also going close on three occasions.
Still, the Northern Irish lived dangerously themselves at times, with the Romanians looking potent on the counterattack, particularly in the first-half.
Fortunately for O’Neill, his side grew stronger as the game wore on. The outcome keeps the men in green in the mix and a home draw against Iordanescu’s side is hardly the stuff of a campaign sea-change.
Northern Ireland next travel to the Faroe Islands before a home tie against Hungary, both in early September. And while they are in a great position, five points from probable qualification, according to O’Neill, this will not be the last of the nervous fixtures.
“The two games in September are now crucial,” the Northern Ireland manager said. “It keeps us a point behind Romania.
“I always said 18 points is key for us. All the games going forward will be difficult. Tonight’s game was the tensest for us so far as both teams were determined not to be beaten and the group will be decided by the finest of margins. We expect the rest of the games to follow into the same pattern. We’re pleased with a point, I wouldn’t say delighted. We had opportunities to win the game and I would say their goalkeeper was the busier of the two.”
Romania’s best chance fell to Gabriel Torje, sweeping goalwards through the middle, but his shot was deflected beyond the post by Jonny Evans with Michael McGovern wrongfooted. Both sides carried fortune, in the end.
O’Neill understands that his team must display more composure and finesse when it comes to the crunch, particularly now that third-placed Hungary have cut the gap to two points, spearing the group to a fascinating climax.
“We just didn’t capitalise on the opportunities we had, a little more care in the box or a little more precision with the finishing and we could have had all three, but it’s a big point,” added O’Neill. “It cements our place in the top three I think and leaves it all to play for in September.”
Ultimately, a draw at home to Romania, in the wider context, can still be viewed as something of a success.
