MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 21:39:30| >> :600:839130:839130:
[monks data]
Austria national football team
Nations League | League B
Nov 15, 2020 at 7.45pm UK
Ernst-Happel-Stadion
Northern Ireland national football team

Austria
2 - 1
Northern Ireland

Schaub (81'), Grbic (87')
Dragovic (10'), Sabitzer (90+4')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Magennis (75')
Boyce (25')

Ian Baraclough impressed with Northern Ireland youngsters in Austria defeat

Ian Baraclough impressed with Northern Ireland youngsters in Austria defeat
© Reuters
Ali McCann made a strong debut in midfield and Dan Ballard again looked assured in defence in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Austria.

Ian Baraclough praised the performances of his young players as he picked out positives from Northern Ireland's 2-1 Nations League defeat to Austria on Sunday night.

After taking the lead through Josh Magennis in the 75th minute, Northern Ireland conceded twice in the last 10 minutes – with Louis Schaub appearing offside for his 81st-minute equaliser – to slip to a defeat which leaves them on the brink of relegation in the Nations League.

It was another painful night three days after hopes of reaching Euro 2020 were dashed in a extra-time defeat to Slovakia.

But if that loss had raised questions about the long-term futures of some senior players, there were signs of the next generation on Sunday as Ali McCann made a strong debut in midfield and Dan Ballard again looked assured in defence.

Following 120 emotionally and physically draining minutes against Slovakia, Baraclough made eight changes in Vienna but a side featuring several younger players held its own against an experienced Austria side.

"There were so many positives," Baraclough said. "There were a lot of questions thrown at the group after the other night, but speaking to their manager very quickly then, he complimented our mentality.

"They expected us to be down, feeling sorry for ourselves but far from it."

Baraclough said he had no hesitation in naming the 20-year-old McCann in his midfield with the St Johnstone youngster having made a positive impact in the group since getting his first call-up last month.

"He's so measured in the way he goes about his work," Baraclough said. "He puts in a lot of hard yards and is prepared to go the extra yard too. His use of the ball is simple and good.

"He's a quiet lad, very unassuming, very humble. You don't know he's about at times. He's just feeling his way into the group but what better way to go and do that than going to show yourself like that.

"He's gained a lot of respect from the other players."

With Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart both on the bench there was a fourth cap for Ballard after he made his debut in September and the Arsenal defender, on loan at Blackpool, did not look phased by facing Austria's powerful attack.

"He's another one that's got an old head on young shoulders," Baraclough said of the 21-year-old. "He's dealt with stepping up, coming into the team last month for a couple of games where he could have been startled but no.

Norway v Northern Ireland – UEFA Nations League – Group 1 – League B – Ullevaal Stadion
Dan Ballard earned his fourth cap in Vienna (Fredrikh Hagen/PA)

"His mentality is so measured. The lads love him, the way he goes about his work. He's the same on the training field, he does it the right way.

"It's a credit to him, a credit to Arsenal and his family. He's someone I've enjoyed working with at the Under-21s and I've no hesitation bringing him into the group."

Northern Ireland must now await a ruling from UEFA on the cancelled Romania-Norway match to learn their fate in the league.

Romania are expected to be awarded a walkover win – a decision that would relegate Baraclough's men before the two sides meet in Belfast on Wednesday – though other options including the drawing of lots are also possible.

ID:422498: cacheID:422498:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8011:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough pictured on September 7, 2020
Read Next:
Ian Baraclough "frustrated" with Northern Ireland's loss to Austria
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS

League A1

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal642014
Q Croatia Croatia62228
3 Scotland flag Scotland62137
4 Poland Poland61144

League A2

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France641113
Q Italy Italy641113
3 Belgium Belgium61144
4 Israel Israel61144

League A3

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany642014
Q Netherlands Netherlands62319
3 Hungary Hungary61326
4 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina60242

League A4

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain651016
Q Denmark Denmark62228
3 Serbia Serbia61326
4 Switzerland Switzerland60242

League B1

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Czech Republic Czech Republic632111
2 Ukraine Ukraine62228
3 Georgia Georgia62137
4 Albania national flag Albania62137

League B2

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England650115
2 Greece Greece650115
3 Ireland Rep. Ireland62046
4 Finland Finland60060

League B3

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Norway Norway641113
2 Austria Austria632111
3 Slovenia Slovenia62228
4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan60151

League B4

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Wales flag Wales633012
2 Turkey Turkey632111
3 Iceland Iceland62137
4 Montenegro Montenegro61053

League C1

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Sweden Sweden651016
2 Slovakia Slovakia641113
3 Estonia Estonia61144
4 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan60151

League C2

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania550015
2 Kosovo flag Kosovo540112
3 Cyprus Cyprus62046
4 Lithuania Lithuania60060

League C3

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland632111
2 Bulgaria Bulgaria62319
3 Belarus Belarus61417
4 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg60333

League C4

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Macedonia N. Macedonia651016
2 Armenia Armenia62137
3 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands61326
4 Latvia Latvia61144

League D1

TeamPWDLPTS
Q San Marino flag San Marino42117
2 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar41306
3 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein40222

League D2

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Republic of Moldova Moldova43019
2 Malta flag Malta42117
3 Andorra flag Andorra40131


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!