Michael O'Neill was left to rue missed chances as misfiring Northern Ireland fell to a 1-0 defeat to Finland on Sunday night.
A scrappy goal from Benjamin Kallman in the 28th minute proved the difference at Windsor Park, the close-range finish puncturing the atmosphere around O'Neil's homecoming.
It was a cruel reminder of the work ahead for returning boss O'Neill, amid a tight Euro 2024 qualifying group which saw Kazakhstan beat Denmark earlier in the day.