Northern Ireland: Improvement on the ball next step for Michael O’Neill’s side after Denmark loss

Despite taking an early lead, Northern Ireland failed to register a shot on target throughout the game.

O’Neill added: “In terms of where we need to get to as a team, we need to be able to retain the ball a little bit better when we win it back, maybe find a little bit more in terms of our level of possession as well and that will help us carry a bigger threat.”

Knowing they will face Germany in World Cup qualifying in September, O’Neill has consciously taken friendlies against a higher level of opposition than his side faced when earning promotion from the third tier of the Nations League.

Saturday’s reverse was just their fourth in the past 14 games, a run that started with a 2-0 win over Denmark in Belfast in November 2023.

In losses to Spain 12 months ago and against Sweden in March, Northern Ireland shipped five goals but, despite their largely stout defending representing a sign of progress in Copenhagen, the game against Iceland will pose a different challenge.

The visitors, however, arrive in Belfast buoyed by a victory over Scotland on Friday night.

“We need to be better with the ball. So how we set ourselves out as a team will be slightly different,” O’Neill said.

“The teams are more of a similar level, let’s be honest, so that in itself will help us, although they had a very good result against Scotland at Hampden Park and played very well.

“So it will be a tough test, but it’s just a different game for us. It’s a game where we will expect to have more of the ball and the responsibility and the onus is on us to obviously take the initiative in the game.”