Kenny Shiels said “you cannot legislate for mistakes” after Austria severely dented Northern Ireland’s 2023 World Cup hopes with a 3-1 victory.
Austria netted three times in nine second-half minutes to capitalise on defensive errors in Wiener Neustadt.
Northern Ireland are now three points behind Austria, who look set to secure second place and a play-off.
“There was a little bit of nervousness and tension in the players because they knew the reward,” Shiels said.
After a 2-2 draw in Belfast in October, Northern Ireland and Austria went into the match level on points in Group D, five behind leaders England.
With head-to-head deciding placings, and with both teams set to face the Lionesses and lower-ranked opposition in their final three games, the winner was set to move into pole position to secure a play-off spot for next summer’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
