David Healy’s goal in the sixth minute of injury time saved Northern Ireland’s blushes at Windsor Park on Wednesday night.
In terrible weather conditions, the Bury striker earnt them a lucky 1-1 home draw with European minnows Azerbaijan.
It means Michael O’Neill’s side have collected three draws in four games in World Cup qualifying but even the most ardent of Irish fans will have to admit that qualifying out of a group that contains Russia and Portugal is almost impossible.
Great opportunities wasted
Six great opportunities were wasted by the home side before Healy’s equaliser, so like it was with the home draw against Luxembourg, it is another two home points dropped.
This means that the stunning point away in Portugal in October has been totally negated.
Manager Michael O’Neill said afterwards: “It was a very frustrating night and one of those games where it didn’t seem to go for us.
“From the moment they scored we dominated and should have won.”
“To be fair the players went to the 96th minute and David (pictured) popped up with an equaliser.
“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing, keep believing in the players and working with them."
Winless streak
Northern Ireland have now gone on a winless streak that has stretched to 11 games and O’Neill has now endured seven of these without a win since being appointed at the start of the year.
Home games in March against Fabio Capello’s Russia who have a 100 per cent record in Group F and Israel will be stiffer tests and you fear what the outcome might be in these games.
With no disrespect to the likes of Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, these are games that Northern Ireland should be winning.
As they haven’t managed this, qualification dreams are all but over for another tournament.
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