The fact Northern Ireland took on this friendly at all, sandwiched between training camps in England and Turkey, is testament to a level of diligence which continues to bear fruit.
The key aspiration was not to beat New Zealand – albeit that will maintain confidence in a squad which now punches well above its weight as standard – but to build towards next Saturday’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan. Back-to-back tournament appearances is a legitimate aim for a team consigned to international football’s wilderness for years.
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