Jonny Evans believes teams will want to avoid Northern Ireland in World Cup play-off draw
Monday 9 October 2017 23:15, UK
Jonny Evans believes European football's heavyweight nations have reason to fear drawing Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-offs.
Michael O'Neill's side secured their place in the play-offs despite losing 1-0 to Norway on Sunday, after Scotland failed to beat Slovenia in Group F.
Northern Ireland are unlikely to be seeded in the play-off round and could face Italy, Croatia or Euro 2016 champions Portugal in a two-legged tie.
However, Evans believes Northern Ireland can upset the odds and qualify for their first World Cup since 1986.
"We're a real hard-working team, we defend really well as a unit, we all work hard for each other and that's not nice to play against," said the West Brom defender.
"We've got a good defensive record throughout the campaign, we're disappointed conceding a goal (against Norway), it would have been nice to have the eight clean sheets.
"I think a lot of teams will fear us. Every team that plays us talks about our strength on set pieces and being hard to break down.
"I think there's a fine balance between underestimating and being fearful. I think teams will cover all aspects and will look at us and see we are good at set pieces - but they haven't been able to deal with it up until now, and that's just one aspect of our game, they can't handle us on set plays."
Northern Ireland ended the qualification campaign 11 points behind Group C winners Germany, but Evans says his side deserve respect for coming second to the defending world champions.
"Michael's a realist; there's not many people can admit that and just say, 'Right, Germany are going to win the group'. That's a big statement to make," Evans added.
"I actually can remember the picture he put on the screen with Germany and said, 'Right, cut them off at the top, we're going to win this sort of mini-league below them'.
"We've managed to do that and it's always satisfying whenever you're able to hit those targets.
"We have to give ourselves a lot of credit and I think a lot of other people have to give us a lot of credit. It's an amazing achievement when you see where all of the lads are playing - some are playing League One, some are Championship, some Premier League.
"It's a real mixture that has come together and managed to achieve something great."
