MX23RW : Friday, November 8 19:48:08| >> :600:93594:93594:

Michael O'Neill: 'Next two matches are crucial to qualifying hopes'

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill feels that his side's next two matches in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign hold the key to them reaching France.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill believes that his side's hopes of reaching Euro 2016 will rest on their next two qualifying matches.

O'Neill's side took a point from Saturday's clash against Romania to leave themselves in second place in Group F two points clear of Hungary in third spot.

The 45-year-old feels that his sides chances of playing in France in the tournament next year hinge on their displays against the Faroe Islands and Hungary.

"I always felt the two games in September were crunch games and that's going to be the case now," O'Neill told Sky Sports News.

"There's everything to play for. The Faroes are actually fourth now and have had a great campaign for a nation of their size.

"They're probably thinking that three points against us moves them into a nice position so we can't disregard them. That becomes a very important game now and then we have Hungary at home. It's a very interesting double header."

Northern Ireland are next in action away to the Faroe Islands on September 4.

ID:228026: cacheID:228026:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2116:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill after the Euro 2016 Qualifier between Northern Ireland and Faroe Islands at Windsor Park on October 11, 2014
Read Next:
Northern Ireland earn draw with Romania
>
Read more about Michael O'Neill Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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!