Michael O’Neill insists his players are fully focused as they prepare for their penultimate game in the European group stages of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Northern Ireland are set to face Slovakia at the Kosicka Futbalova Arena in Kosice tonight (7.45 kick-off GMT) – and there’s plenty at stake.
O’Neill’s side currently sit third in Group A with six points from four games, and group leaders Germany and Slovakia both have nine points from four qualifiers, with two games remaining.
While Northern Ireland need to avoid defeat to stay in the hunt for a top-two finish in the group, Slovakia know a win would see them go into their final game in Leipzig against Germany - whom they beat 2-0 at home in September - with a chance to top the standings and qualify automatically for the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and USA next summer.
The Northern Ireland manager told media yesterday: “It's always hard to play away, but we're looking forward to the game and we believe we can do it… what we can get is 12 points and we have to aspire to that."
Northern Ireland will be without midfielders Shea Charles and Ali McCann plus versatile defender Brodie Spencer, who are all injured. And attacking midfielder Ethan Galbraith is suspended for tonight’s encounter.
But O’Neill feels his squad now has the depth to cope with such situations as Northern Ireland aim for a guaranteed World Cup play-off spot by finishing second in the group.
And he added: "I think the players know what is at stake in this game and they'll be ready and they'll give everything they can to make sure we get the result that we need… they've given everything in the four games to date and we've just got to replicate that."
He further pointed out that the Slovakia squad is packed full of experienced players who gel well.
"I would say that they're quite similar to us in the way that it is their collective as a team. They play in a very structured way. They believe in the way they play. They have good individual players. They're good as a collective,” he said.
Earlier this week Slovakia’s star midfielder, Napoli’s Stanislav Lobotka, described Northern Ireland as “annoying”.
Lobotka, who was injured when Northern Ireland defeated the Slovakians 2-0 in Belfast last month, claimed O’Neill’s team do not create enough and rely on fast breaks.
"We take that as a compliment and it won't upset us," the Northern Ireland boss said of the defensive midfielder's remark.
Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was more complimentary about O’Neill’s team when facing the media yesterday.
The Burnley keeper said: “That’s the way they want to play and it works for them. You look at the players they have and they use them as well as they can. They stay in games and they won their Nations League group (last year) so what can I say? It works.”
And he added: “They are a quality team but we have to be focused on ourselves. We will try to dictate the tempo and play our game.”
Another of Slovakia’s key players, Atletico Madrid defender David Hancko, will also be back after missing the game in Belfast to attend the birth of his second child.
However, Francesco Calzona’s side will be without Toulouse midfielder Mario Sauer and Holstein Kiel forward Adrian Kapralik, who have picked up injuries, while Samsunspor centre back Lubomir Satka is also expected to miss out.
Northern Ireland’s final group game is against Luxembourg at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park on Monday (17 November).
Tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Kosice is being shown live on BBC Two Northern Ireland, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. There will also be commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds. And you can follow it on Northern Ireland social channels.
