Michael O’Neill Says Northern Ireland Could Beat Wales

 

Michael O’Neill has said he believes Northern Ireland could get past Wales if the two teams were to meet in the next round of Euro 2016, but added his side would be a match for any team. Third-place finishers Northern Ireland secured qualification for the last 16 despite losing 1-0 to Germany in Paris on Tuesday.

O'Neill's squad could face Wales or France as potential opponents in the knock-out stages of the tournament. The manager revealed France would be better from a preparation perspective but that they could get by Wales.

He said: “I don't really have a preference at the minute, we'll see what comes out of the groups that come to a conclusion today.  The benefit of playing France is that it is a fantastic occasion to play the host nation here in Lyon, we won't have to change hotel and we'll have an extra days recovery. Wales is slightly more tricky in that we would have to play on the Saturday and we'd have to get back to Paris, so that would be, preparation-wise, a little bit more difficult. Wales have had an extra day recovery on us. Those are all factors.  We'll take what comes. Chris (Coleman) has done fantastic with Wales to win the group. It's a magnificent achievement. They're having a great tournament. We believe we could certainly get by Wales but equally we know that on any given day we'd be a match for any team.”