Northern Ireland play out goalless stalemate in Nations League clash with Cyprus

Northern Ireland must hope it is 13th time lucky in the Nations League as their latest outing ended in a drab goalless draw against Cyprus.

Ian Baraclough’s side took only their third ever point in the competition but the performance and the result was a long way from what they – and the 600 travelling fans – had expected against a side ranked 105th in the world.

Ali McCann missed a sitter in the final moments but, given how many chances Cyprus had squandered, Northern Ireland had to be grateful not to have been playing better opposition.

It finishes scoreless in Cyprus #GAWA pic.twitter.com/wNxIRm3RoT

— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 5, 2022

Significant improvement will be required against Kosovo – 2-0 winners here three days ago – in Pristina on Thursday.

Baraclough handed Kyle Lafferty his first competitive start since October 2020 and gave a full debut to Shea Charles as he made four changes, but despite the fresh faces, Thursday’s problems of misplaced passes and disjointed play were apparent from the start.

Charles had said he was surprised to make his debut as a 79th minute substitute against Greece, but if he was shocked about moving straight into the starting line-up it did not show as he comfortably stroked the ball around in front of a back four.

Northern Ireland’s problems came whenever they tried to move it forward.

Lafferty, who was a target of the home fans all night after a brief spell in Cyprus with Anorthosis Famagusta last year before his return to Kilmarnock, played with intent but was well marshalled by Cyprus’ back three as Northern Ireland struggled to give him any service.

When they did create a chance in the 12th minute it fell to George Saville, yet to score an international goal after