Sammy McIlroy's side have just one point from three games
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Manager Sammy McIlroy has admitted Northern Ireland's chances of qualifying
for Euro 2004 are all but gone.
McIlroy watched in frustration as Armenia secured a 1-0 victory
thanks to a goal from Artur Petrosian with four minutes to go.
Northern Ireland could have had the game wrapped up by half-time as Paul McVeigh, James
Quinn and David Healy all went close.
But in the end it was the same old story for the Irish who have not scored now
in seven games.
"It is going to be very hard to qualify now. I really thought this would have been the day when we would have ended our
drought," said McIlroy.
"It is a bitter pill to swallow. We did not take our chances and perhaps we
should have been 3-0 up.
"I told the boys at half-time that they had been playing well and just to
keep going."
McIlroy handed a full debut to defender Stephen Craigan and he stood off
Petrosian.
That led to the goal but McIlroy was quick to excuse Craigan, who failed to
put in a challenge after being booked earlier.
"The build-up to the goal should have been dealt with.
"But I am not going to blame Stephen as I thought he was magnificent."
Northern Ireland now face Greece on Wednesday at Windsor Park and McIlroy knows it
could be difficult to lift his team.
Losing to Armenia was a bitter blow for him especially as their hosts had won
only one out of their last 21 competitive games.
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MMIX
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