O'Neill bemoans Belfast blow

N. Ireland boss haunted by first-leg penalty as Swiss reach WC finals

PARIS - Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill bemoaned the controversial first-leg penalty that saw his side's World Cup dream end with a 1-0 aggregate loss to Switzerland in their playoff on Sunday.

Ricardo Rodriguez's spotkick in Belfast last Thursday proved the difference as the Swiss held off some late pressure from the underdog Northern Irish in the second leg at Basel on a soggy pitch after heavy rain.