NORTHERN Ireland have it all to do if they are to reach their first World Cup since 1986 after losing the first-leg of their play-off against Switzerland in controversial circumstances at Windsor Park.
Michael O’Neill’s side went down 0-1 to a travesty of a penalty decision after Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan deemed Corry Evans to have handled inside the area just short of the hour mark.
The penalty was clearly harsh in the extreme as replays showed the ball struck the defender’s shoulder after he turned his back on a powerful shot.
To make matters worse Evans was awarded a yellow card in the incident despite his arms being in a natural position.
Swiss left-back Ricardo Rodriguez stepped up to slot away the penalty in front of a packed-out and understandably enraged Belfast home crowd of more than 18,000.
The best team won on the night but the referee’s embarrassing decision leaves Northern Ireland with the proverbial Swiss Alps to climb when they travel to Bern for Sunday’s second leg.
The best chance of the night for the men in green fell to Josh Magennis, when the Co. Down striker headed off target from a Chris Brunt free-kick late in the game.
Rodriguez – who slotted home the earlier penalty – appeared to handle in the area soon after but Ovidiu Hategan played on, in one of a number of baffling decisions made by the referee last night.
? Brunt: 'To lose the way we did was disappointing' ?#GAWA #DreamBigger pic.twitter.com/Y7j7QEx24q
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) November 9, 2017
Corry Evans has since branded the official’s decision in the 57th minute a “disgrace”.
He added: “I clearly didn’t mean to put my hand up. It’s devastating.”
NI boss Michael O’Neill told Sky Sports that he was “staggered” by the awarding of the contentious penalty.
"The referee has no-one in his line of sight. Corry's arm isn't in an unnatural position, it's by his side,” he said.
“The ball hits him on the back more than anything. I thought the referee had blown for a foul or an offside. Nobody had claimed for it.
"I'm staggered by the decision, staggered by the yellow card.
Michael O’Neill ‘it’s staggering that the referee can give a penalty in that situation. We have to forget about it and regroup for the second leg.’
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) November 9, 2017
He added: "It's such a defining moment in the match. The opening tackle by Fabian Schar was borderline. I thought it was a red card. The referee hasn't done us any favours."
O’Neill’s side had finished second in Group C behind Germany after six wins from their 10 matches saw them enjoy the best World Cup qualifying campaign in Northern Irish history.
Switzerland led Group B throughout their own campaign but missed out on automatic qualification on goal difference after a 2-0 loss to Portugal in their final game.
Northern Ireland supporters and neutral fans alike were equally incensed by the controversial decision, with one fan on social media describing the penalty as "the worst refereeing call since Thierry Henry handballed against the Republic of Ireland in 2009".
Another post read: "Switzerland were the better team by a distance but the ref was a disgrace. Arguably a red card early doors for Switzerland and the penalty was laughable."
While another said: "Feel really sorry for the Irish. An absolute embarrassment of a decision."
If Northern Ireland fail to progress, Sunday’s match in Switzerland may be the last in a Northern Ireland shirt for international veterans Chris Brunt, Gareth McAuley and Aaron Hughes.
A disappointing result may also increase speculation linking Edinburgh-based boss Michael O'Neill with the Scotland job following the recent departure of Gordon Strachan.
