Ronald Koeman criticism of Northern Ireland style irrelevant to Michael O’Neill

Northern Ireland manager Michael ONeill hit back at Ronald Koeman after the Holland coach called his sides style outrageous and terrible to watch.Koeman strongly criticised Northern Ireland in comments given to Dutch TV station NOS in the wake of Hollands come-from-behind 3-1 win in Rotterdam on Thursday night, secured with two stoppage-time goals.That left ONeill far from impressed after a match in which his side took the lead in the 75th minute before Memphis Depay inspired a late fightback for the hosts.ONeill on Koemans criticism of @NorthernIrelands outrageous style: We didnt go there to entertain Ronald Koeman. When youre picking players from Barca, Juve and Liverpool you can play a certain way. If we were so terrible why were we difficult to beat? #GAWA pic.twitter.com/YtpcBlc3cy Ian Parker (@iparkysport) October 13, 2019We didnt go there to entertain Ronald Koeman, that wasnt the purpose of what we did, he said.Its irrelevant to me. You give respect to the opponent and how they play.If youre picking players from Barcelona, Juventus and Liverpool you can play a certain way. If we were so terrible why were we so difficult to beat? And clearly we were extremely difficult to beat.Its disappointing that a manager of that class feels the need to say that. Its not something we need to dwell on. After a massive effort from our lads it finishes 3-1 to @OnsOranje in Rotterdam #GAWA pic.twitter.com/El4tlbQLYH Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) October 10, 2019ONeill said he was yet to watch Thursdays defeat back, which had left some raw emotions as Northern Ireland watched their Euro 2020 qualification hopes all but disappear in the space of 15 minutes.A win would have left Northern Ireland needing a draw against the Dutch in Belfast next month while a draw would have kept them very much alive.But the defeat now means they have only the faintest of hopes of escaping Group C and are instead looking to the play-offs.I havent watched the game back, ONeill said ahead of Mondays friendly against the Czech Republic in Prague.Of course well do that for November but its not relevant for this game.Dat moment @LuukdeJong9#NEDNIR #TheNewWave pic.twitter.com/zwvvBoAP3h OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) October 12, 2019The nature of how we lost, not only the timing but the nature of the goal, it was a very fortunate goal for (Luuk) De Jong, to get a second opportunity and put the ball in the net when he mishit his first touchit was very cruel.I dont think we deserved it but we have to accept it, move on and make sure we do well in the game tomorrow to be ready for November.The process begins with a friendly against the Czech Republic, a side buoyed by Fridays upset of England. Gareth Southgates side lost 2-1 in Prague to suffer their first qualifying defeat in a decade.They are obviously more experienced and we very impressed by what we saw in the game on Friday night, having watched it back last night, ONeill said.Thats good, it will be a stiff test for us, their coach may make changes and do things as well. The main thing is that both teams get what they want from the game. @ciaron_14 and Shayne Lavery switch to U21s for Euros qualifier in Romania #GAWA https://t.co/DbVIV8ePfz pic.twitter.com/cvryBhZKbb Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) October 13, 2019The odds will perhaps be against Northern Ireland, without an away win in a friendly since 2006, but ONeill is expected to field a strong side having initially indicated he could make sweeping changes.Cardiff defender Ciaron Brown and Linfield striker Shayne Lavery flew to Romania to join up with Ian Baracloughs under-21s side, leaving 21 players in Prague.Its a good decision to let them to go the under-21s as opposed to possibly playing a tiny part of this game, ONeill said.It will strengthen Ians hand as hes had one or two injury problems.The mood is good. We took the players out for dinner in Rotterdam on Friday night and that was good and it lifted the mood.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){

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