NI beat San Marino to end losing run in qualifiers-ZoomTech News

Northern Eire introduced a run of 5 straight Euro 2024 qualifier defeats to an finish because of a cushty 3-0 victory over San Marino in Belfast.

Conor McMenamin slotted dwelling his first worldwide objective to seal the win.

It accomplished a Group H double over the minnows however Northern Eire’s hopes of creating the finals are all however over.

Certainly, wins for Slovenia and Denmark afterward Saturday would verify their failure to qualify for the match in Germany subsequent 12 months.

Lengthy-term Accidents to key gamers, together with Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas, have been a blow for Northern Eire supervisor Michael O’Neill whereas skilled defender Craig Cathcart retired final month.

It is a interval of transition and O’Neill is planning forward together with his younger squad to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers whereas he has “one eye” on the Euro 2028 marketing campaign, with Northern Eire a bunch nation within the latter.

Nevertheless, he’s decided to complete the remaining Group video games on a excessive and whereas it was a wonderful begin in opposition to the world’s lowest ranked workforce at Windsor Park, the remainder of the match was a largely lacklustre affair.

O’Neill made six adjustments from final month’s defeat by Kazakhstan together with a brand new entrance three of Smyth, Magennis and Dale Taylor.

The trio impressed in Northern Eire’s sturdy opening as they doubled their factors tally in a one-side affair, with San Marino offering subsequent to nothing in assault.

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