Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has hit back at criticism from Azerbaijan coach Carlos Alberto after the countries drew 0-0 in Baku.
Former World Cup winner Alberto said he was tired of playing poor teams like Northern Ireland and Wales.
But Sanchez responded: "Did he
expect us to come here, roll over and
let his team win?
"We set out our stall to compensate for the eight players we had missing and I make no apologies for that."
It is the second time Alberto had rounded on a British team. He was furious
with Wales and their system when they too got a draw.
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We think it is two points missed.
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"We know we have our limitations but I am sick of playing poor football teams
like Northern Ireland and Wales, " he said.
"Northern Ireland committed over 100 fouls and yet did not get one yellow
card.
"They did not create one chance from a spell of good football. It was all
high balls."
Sanchez was disappointed Northern Ireland only secured a draw against arguably the weakest
side in Group Six.
"We think it is two points missed, " he said.
"We created the majority of
chances but we lacked a little bit of quality in the final third of the field. Our general finishing around the box was not what it should have been."
Captain Aaron Hughes added: "At least we have come away with something and
now we have to look for three points against Austria.
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MMIX
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