The chase for the 2016 European Cup will take its first steps on Sunday. Two teams attempting to qualify for the tournament will do battle today in a match between Hungary and Northern Ireland. The match scheduled for 12 p.m. ET will be held at Groupama Arena in Budapest and can be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on Fox Sports 2.
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O'Neill had this to offer ahead of today's European Cup qualifier (via Goal): "I don't know if we're a stronger squad than we were two years ago, but I think we're a squad with more potential. We've benefited from the time we've worked together. We've had a chance to build something and there have been positives this summer in terms of the players' club situations."
"This time last year, we still had four or five lads with no clubs sorted and it's asking a lot of someone who is unattached to come in and play qualifiers," he added. "But this time, the ones who were looking—Craig Cathcart, Aaron Hughes, Chris Baird, Sammy Clingan and Roy Carroll—all got resolved nice and early.
"All the players have had a decent preseason and we'll feel the benefit of that."
When asked about his experienced goalkeeper, Roy Carroll, O'Neill continued: "There's no doubt about it, Roy is capable of playing at a higher level than League One, but at this stage of his career, the most important thing is that he is playing week in, week out."
"The reports on Roy are very positive already and I went to see him myself earlier in the season when he was excellent."
The report on this match will be simple: Northern Ireland will have no issues dispatching Hungary.
Prediction: Hungary 0-2 Northern Ireland
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