“We have to recognize the quality of the opposition we’re playing”, he said. “We have shown that in the qualifiers”, he said.
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Poland had numerous chances to take the lead before Milik’s goal.
In Sunday’s game, O’Neill refused to let Lewandowski get free and instead allowed space for Milik, who in the first half was unable to beat goalkeeper Michael McGovern in the 28th minute and three minutes later squandered an excellent chance by sailing a shot over the crossbar.
The team defended well for long periods of the game but were undone when Arkadiusz Milik found the net five minutes into the second half.
Defying the odds has been the hallmark of this team, who are the first from their country to reach a European Championships and the first in three decades to feature in a major tournament.
Several Northern Ireland players expressed sympathy with the man’s family.
Northern Ireland had only two attempts on goal, neither of which were on target, and the Poles enjoyed over 60 per cent of possession in both halves.
“The team has realized that we won’t win as individuals”, midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak said through a translator.
Robert Lewandowski of Poland reacts during the Euro 2016 Group C match between Poland and Northern Ireland on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Allianz Riviera in Nice, France. I know they were devastated to hear the news. we can only pass on our condolences and our sympathies to his family, friends and everyone connected to the boy.
“We’ll ask UEFA whether it’s appropriate to have a minute’s silence before the game and/or to wear black armbands”.
Captain and compatriot Steven Davis also tweeted: “So sad to wake up to the tragic news that a Northern Ireland fan has died in Nice, thoughts with his family and friends”.
Jonny Evans says Thursday’s Euro 2016 game against Ukraine is “make or break” for Northern Ireland.
“We always knew it was going to be hard, but we were not good enough”, added Davis, who thanked fans for their “incredible support”.
“It is disappointing losing the game but it’s not the end of the world, we’ve got two more games to come”, he added.
Northern Ireland skipper Steven Davis: “We have to braver on the ball but it’s a real learning curve for us”.
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“All of our players played very well and I believe everyone will be in great form, we are prepared for some tough moments and I hope it will play out according to our expectations”.
