Isaac Price targets improvements after Northern Ireland suffer Kazakhstan defeat
A frustrated Isaac Price said Kazakhstan had been “there for the taking” in Northern Ireland’s 1-0 Euro 2024 qualifying defeat at Windsor Park on Monday night. Northern Ireland could not convert any of the 13 efforts they had at goal – with only one on target – and were punished at the death as Abat Aimbetov broke away to snatch an 88th minute winner. It was a third consecutive 1-0 defeat for Michael O’Neill’s side, but where Friday’s loss away to Denmark had brought optimism, given a battling display against the group’s top seeds, a home defeat to a side ranked 50 places below Northern Ireland left a flat feeling. “It’s very tough to take, frustrating really,” said Price. “We know we weren’t good enough. We knew they were there for the taking and we didn’t take our chances. We have to look back on it and improve for the next fixtures in September.” O’Neill knows he must be patient with the many youngsters pressed into service ahead of schedule given an injury list which stretches into double figures. Price, 19, is on that list but the midfielder was not cutting himself any slack after the match. “Personally I wasn’t good enough, technically on the ball and I didn’t create enough chances,” he said. “It was the same for the whole team really. We have to improve in the final third. “We’re not too bad at the back, but we conceded a silly goal at the end so instead of taking a point, we lost everything. There are so many areas where we can improve. We have two tough away games coming up in September, we have to go and try and get three points in both Isaac Price “There was optimism coming in from the game on Friday night. We thought we deserved more against Denmark. We have to look back at the game and see where we can improve. There are so many areas where we can improve. “We have two tough away games coming up in September, we have to go and try and get three points in both.” Price, earning only his fourth cap, was starting a second-consecutive match, having also been asked to play in an advanced role behind the lone striker in Copenhagen. “I’m delighted to play, the experience is something which you can’t get anywhere else,” he said. “International football is very different to the football you play at your club.” Price is now set to start a new adventure, having this month signed a four-year contract to join Standard Liege after rejecting a new deal at Everton. The move promises the opportunity to get more playing time and learn in a very different environment. “I can’t wait to go over now,” he said. “Hopefully I can improve a lot more over there and in a different side of the game. It’s a lot more technical. “I just can’t wait to get over and get started now.”
2023-06-21 05:47
Romelu Lukaku scores twice as Belgium beats Estonia 3-0 in European qualifying
Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the space of three minutes to lead Belgium to a 3-0 win over Estonia in European Championship qualifying
2023-06-21 05:27
Colombia beats Germany for the first time to deepen Euro 2024 host team's sense of angst
Juan Cuadrado scored one goal and set up another for Colombia to beat Germany 2-0 in a friendly and deepen the sense of crisis around the German team one year before the country hosts Euro 2024
2023-06-21 05:22
Guardians starter Triston McKenzie shut down with sprained elbow ligament
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2023-06-21 05:21
Primetime Delivers NBC Sports Highest U.S. Open Ratings Since 2019
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2023-06-21 04:51
Guardians' top pitching prospect Gavin Williams to make MLB debut against Athletics
Gavin Williams, Cleveland’s top pitching prospect, will make his major league debut on Wednesday with a start against the Oakland Athletics
2023-06-21 03:59
Running back Sony Michel re-signs with the Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have re-signed running back Sony Michel
2023-06-21 03:57
Sergio Garcia wonders if playing for LIV Golf will affect his Hall of Fame chances
Sergio Garcia will be on the next World Golf Hall of Fame ballot as part of a strong trio all born in 1980
2023-06-21 02:53
Allisha Gray has been catalyst for Atlanta Dream's recent success
Allisha Gray has been a big reason why the Atlanta Dream have been moving up in the standings after a successful road trip
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AUTO RACING: NASCAR heads to Nashville; open wheelers have the weekend off
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Lionel Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami debut July 21
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2023-06-21 01:58
England waiting to discover where Ukraine Euro 2024 qualifier will be hosted
England are still waiting to find out where September’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine will be hosted, the PA news agency understands. Gareth Southgate’s men continued their 100 per cent start to European Championship qualification by beating North Macedonia 7-0 on Monday. England’s next Group C match is away to Ukraine on September 9, but a location for the fixture has yet to be rubber-stamped. Russia’s invasion in February 2022 has forced Ukraine to host matches away from their homeland. Monday’s qualifier at home to Malta was played in Trnava, Slovakia and last year’s Nations League games were held in Poland – two in Lodz, one in Krakow. Austria had been considered as host for Ukraine’s qualifier against England, but PA understands the fixture is now unlikely to take place there. Vienna and Klagenfurt had been reportedly considered as host cities. UEFA has been contacted for comment. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-06-21 01:57
