MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 23:01:19| >> :600:201578:201578:

Gareth McAuley: 'Euro 2016 qualification is within reach'

Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley says that the team will remain focused as qualification for Euro 2016 edges closer.

Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley has insisted that the team will be fully focused as qualification for Euro 2016 moves closer.

Michael O'Neill's side sit second in Group F and could secure a place in next summer's finals if they beat the Faroe Islands and Hungary in their forthcoming two qualifiers.

Northern Ireland, who have never qualified for the finals of the European Championships, made their last tournament appearance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

"If we lose focus in any way, it can come back and bite you," McAuley told BBC Sport.

"We are close but there are enough experienced people in our dressing room who know how cruel football can be. We are not thinking any further ahead than the Faroes game.

"A few of us have been out there before and come back with a draw when we were expected to win so we are fully focused."

Northern Ireland face the Faroes on Friday evening before hosting Hungary three days later.

ID:243634: cacheID:243634:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2086:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill after the Euro 2016 Qualifier between Northern Ireland and Faroe Islands at Windsor Park on October 11, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Faroe Islands vs. Northern Ireland
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
OT
Vikings
30-27
Bears
FT
Lions
24-6
Colts
FT
Patriots
15-34
Dolphins
FT
Buccaneers
30-7
Giants
FT
Chiefs
30-27
Panthers
FT
Titans
32-27
Texans
FT
Cowboys
34-26
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!