CIARON Brown was unable to stop Northern Ireland falling to a defeat on home soil in their second Euro 2024 qualifier.
The Oxford United defender collected his 14th cap in the 1-0 loss against Finland, and played the full 90 minutes.
Brown began the game on the left of a back three, before slotting into the middle of a back four when Sunderland centre back Dan Ballard picked up an injury and was replaced by Wigan Athletic striker Josh Magennis.
A 14th cap for Ciaron Brown as Northern Ireland look to build on their 2-0 win against San Marino when they host Finland in a Euro 2024 qualifier #oufc https://t.co/1JWobfIKzZ
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) March 26, 2023
The defeat against Finland was the first home game of Michael O’Neill’s second stint in charge of Northern Ireland, after returning in December.
He began his second tenure with a 2-0 win away against FIFA’s bottom-ranked side San Marino.
Brown picked up a booking during his 82 minutes on the pitch in that game, again playing on the left of a back three.
Northern Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualification draw has also saw them grouped with Denmark, Slovenia and Kazakhstan – regarded as a potentially favourable draw to make the finals.
Kazakhstan caused a shock yesterday when they came from 2-0 down to beat Denmark 3-2, while Slovenia top the early Group H standings after beating San Marino 2-0.
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