Michael O’Neill: ‘Northern Ireland must keep momentum’

Norwood’s NI made it to their first major tournament finals in 30 years last week having qualified for Euro 2016, and the Reading midfielder has since heaped praise on his old club that brought through six players in the current Northern Ireland squad.

Michael O’Neill’s flourishing side secured their place at next summer’s championship in France with a memorable 3-1 victory over Greece on Thursday and travelled to Helsinki knowing a single point would see them finish top of Group F, ahead of second-placed Romania and third-placed Hungary.

The lively Stuart Dallas forced an early save from Lukas Hradecky and Chris Brunt had two piledrivers deflected wide by unsuspecting team mates before Northern Ireland took the lead on 31 minutes.

Arajuuri was given too much space in the penalty area by Gareth McAuley and he volleyed his shot under McGovern.

There was an injury scare in the 13th minute when Manchester United’s Paddy McNair crumpled after a challenge from Jere Uronen but, after lengthy treatment, he was fit to continue.

Finland were struggling to string together anything of note but the visitors were too sluggish to take advantage. How else could Northern Ireland top their group? A half-cleared corner came to McNair, who found McGinn on the right, and his unsafe, whipped cross was deftly headed past the ‘keeper by Cathcart.

Finland went close to finding an immediate equaliser when Alexander Ring had a shot blocked before Joel Pohjanpalo’s effort was saved by McGovern.

Finland came out brightly after the break, Pohjanpalo finally asking a few questions of the Northern Irish defence.

The initial burst of energy from the Finns did not last.

The breakthrough arrived after an opening half hour controlled by O’Neill’s side.

O’Neill went back to his bench twice more, handing Shane Ferguson and Josh Magennis the chance to make an impression.

This game could be simply determined by who cares more.

Substitutes Teemu Pukki and Kasper Hamalainen combined well, the former crossing for the latter to nod back into the path of Arajuuri, who controlled the ball before crashing a shot powerfully into the net.