Norther Ireland 1-1 Switzerland: Progress continues but NI ‘still have more growing to do’

Much has been made of the youthful nature of Michael O’Neill’s new generation Northern Ireland side.

So youthful, in fact, that the average age of the team that finished the game was only 22.

But that was just a figure, and at Windsor Park against Switzerland on Friday you could not tell who the battle-hardened, major tournament experts were, and who were the fearless youngsters.

After earning promotion from Nations League C, this was billed as a step up for Northern Ireland against a pot one team.

While Switzerland were without a win in seven matches, they were Euro 2024 quarter-finalists, only knocked out on penalties by England.

Isaac Price’s latest moment of magic gave the hosts the lead, but the Swiss soon levelled through a header from the unmarked Vincent Sierro.

They have a reputation as one of Europe’s most consistent and efficient sides, but there was not a gulf in class in Belfast.

In fact, it was Northern Ireland who could have won the match as Price, Lee Bonis, Ethan Gabraith and debutant Jamie Donley all had efforts to find a winner.

“It was good, it was what we wanted from the game,” said a satisfied O’Neill.

“We scored a goal goal but, we’re disappointed with the goal that we lost.

“If you look at the age of our team, against a really strong team – yes, they are missing some important players, but so are we.

“I think it shows a lot of progress in the team. We weren’t overawed by the opposition.”