N. Ireland incensed by 'staggering' call

PARIS - Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill said he was "staggered and bewildered" by a controversial penalty decision which gave Switzerland a 1-0 first-leg win in their World Cup qualifying playoff on Thursday.

Vladimir Petkovic's Swiss side dominated the match at a rain-swept Windsor Park in Belfast but squandered a succession of chances.

The key moment came with just over half an hour to go, when Xherdan Shaqiri's volley was blocked by Corry Evans in the box and Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan pointed to the spot, even though the Northern Ireland midfielder appeared to have been hit on the shoulder as he took evasive action.