Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill hopes his young players learn from the "cruel" nature of international football following back-to-back Euro 2024 qualifying defeats.
From Callum Marshall's VAR dejection in Denmark, to Monday night's "sucker punch" against Kazakhstan, O'Neill's fledgling stars have been on the receiving end in recent days.
The national manager says fine margins can determine a country's qualifying fate, with the past week's results highlighting the size of the challenge facing his squad in Group H.
Read more: N Ireland 0 Kazakhstan 1: Monday's Euro qualifier as it happened at Windsor Park
Injuries influenced O'Neill's squad selection for both games, with 10 regulars missing for the trip to Denmark and home clash with Kazakhstan.
It forced the former Stoke City boss to promote a number of Under 21 players who embarked on a steep learning curve at Parken Stadium and Windsor Park.
Isaac Price and Shea Charles impressed, while Trai Hume, Dale Taylor and 18-year-old West Ham Utd striker Marshall also tasted game time on the big stage.
"Hopefully the young players realise how cruel international football can be at times. And also that a 1-0 defeat in a group like this shows you the margins," O'Neill said.
"You can compete, but then you see how difficult a task we have given ourselves. They have to learn that, and how big a win can be as well.
"If you are playing in development football, like Shea Charles and Isaac Price, the stakes aren't as high. They are younger players learning the game, and they step into this arena and quickly discover every point is crucial.
"Some of the younger lads who went out on loan had some experience of that. Dale Taylor went to Burton Albion who were in the bottom three at that time and they stayed up.
"That is experience, rather than coming out of development football. So they learn how harsh and cruel football can be, and tonight was an example of that."
O'Neill hopes the double defeat doesn't leave too many scars on his young squad.
The Northern Ireland boss has been quick to temper expectations in recent days, considering the number of experienced personnel currently sidelined through injury.
He also doesn't want to heap too much pressure or spotlight on his emerging youngsters.
"We have to grow that with these young players. We have experienced players who know what it is like to go through hard times with Northern Ireland, and then they enjoyed some high times and it was very good playing for Northern Ireland," he added.
"We are now in a period where it is a bit difficult playing for Northern Ireland. And we have to stick together and make sure we play to a point where we start to win games, and then the belief will grow and confidence will, too."
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
