O'Neill is not two happy as Bobcek winner seals it

MICHAEL O'NEILL could not hide his frustration after Northern Ireland's controversial late 1-0 defeat to Slovakia ended any hope of a top-two finish in World Cup qualifying Group A.

- MICHAEL O'NEILL

The Northern Ireland boss was left upset that Tomas Bobcek's stoppagetime goal stood as his side claimed a foul in the buildup on Daniel Ballard, who was later sent off for a second booking.

He was left to wonder if referee Istvan Kovacs did not want to disallow a third Slovakia goal, having already chalked off two.

But although there was the bitter taste of a defeat in Kosice, which leaves nothing to play for tomorrow's final Group A fixture against Luxembourg, the night also saw Northern Ireland secure a playoff place via the Nations League thanks to Croatia's win over the Faroe Islands.

When that was first mentioned to him after Friday's defeat, O'Neill (below) saw it as scant consolation.