WATFORD'S Michael Bryan took part as a substitute in his first game for the senior Northern Ireland squad yesterday (Wednesday) in the extreme heat of Connecticut.
Manager Nigel Worthington praised his young side's attitude following their 2-0 defeat to Turkey in America.
Goals in the 48th and 72nd minutes from Turkish substitutes Sercan Yildirim and Semih Senturk gave Guus Hiddink's side victory in the early afternoon heat of 93 degrees at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The starting line-up featured five debutants, including Watford's young winger Bryan, who qualifies for the team through his grandmother, and only three players with cap totals in double figures. However, the Northern Ireland boss was delighted with his players' commitment.
"A great exercise," Worthington said. "I thought in the first half we were very solid on a very, very hot day for both teams. The players dealt with it very, very well.
"Second half, I just felt that we lost our discipline a little bit in our shape but overall it was a tremendous exercise and there's many players that have come through with credit."
Worthington said the heat had inevitably been a debilitating factor on the game.
He added: "I think the temperature was recorded (at pitch level) at 103 and it's not something that we're used to on a game basis.
"The players have dealt with it magnificently and overall I'm very pleased."
Worthington's team had kept a lively Turkish side at bay for the first 45 minutes without launching an attack themselves.
Northern Ireland's first attempt on goal did not come until the 54th minute when Rangers full-back Andrew Little hooked a shot onto the roof of the Turkey net.
Turkish dominance continued, however, with another sub, Semih, finding the net in 72nd minute, slotting home from just inside the area as Worthington's defence was unable to clear its lines.
Worthington introduced more new blood by bringing in Josh Magennis, Bryan, James Lawrie, Rory McArdle and Colin Coates, all of whom were sent on in the last 20 minutes.
The fresh legs allowed Northern Ireland to regroup and regain the shape they had kept so well in the first half.
The new-look side stood firm in the face of a series of further Turkish attacks while at the other end Bryan quickly made a good impression, beating two Turkish defenders before turning towards the opposition goal, his shot saved comfortably by Onur Recep Kivrak.
Northern Ireland were set to leave Connecticut immediately after the game for a 5,000-mile flight to Chile, whose World Cup-bound side they will face in Chillan on Sunday night.
Turkey move on to Philadelphia where they will provide the opposition for the USA as they bid farewell to their fans at Lincoln Financial Field before heading to the World Cup in South Africa.
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