NORTHERN Ireland conceded two late goals to the Netherlands on Thursday night as the Dutch and Germany took control of Group C of 2020 European Championship qualifying.
Shane Ferguson played left-back for Michael O’Neill’s side, who took a shock lead in Rotterdam through a Josh Magennis goal with just 15 minutes left.
But Marcus Depay levelled in the 81st minute and Luuk de Jong put the hosts in front a minute into added-time before Depay’s second sealed the win.
Northern Ireland are third in the table with 12 points, the same as the Netherlands and Germany, but with a game more played.
O’Neill’s side play a friendly in the Czech Republic on Monday.
Jayson Molumby played 85 minutes as the Republic of Ireland under-21s drew 0-0 in Dublin against an Italian side who brought on £45million of striking talent in Everton’s Moise Kean and Patrick Cutrone of Wolves in the second half.
Kean lasted 19 minutes as he was shown a straight red card and was dismissed along with Spurs’ Troy Parrott, who received a second yellow card.
Ireland captain Molumby almost won it for Stephen Kenny’s side but saw a long-range effort saved by goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
Ireland are top of their group with 10 points from four games in the race to qualify for the 2021 under-21 European Championships, ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Iceland, who are four points behind.
Meanwhile in senior qualifying, Lions striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson will hope to play for Iceland against France in Group H on Friday night. Iceland are currently third, three points behind table-toppers Turkey and France.
Image: Millwall FC