<text>  Michael ONeill must outwit his old boss Mixu Paatelainen to maintain Northern Irelands bid to qualify for a major tournament for the first time in 30 years. It was Finland manager Paatelainen who gave the 45-year-old Irishman his first break in coaching at Cowdenbeath. ONeill revealed that the two old friends have been reluctant to compare notes so as to avoid giving away any more information about their tactics. Were similar to players, I think, he said. Northern Ireland boss Michael ONeill faces his old mentor on Sunday, the manager of Finland . Mixu Paatelainen is the manager of Finland, and he gave ONeill his first break in management . Northern Ireland team to face Finland: Carroll; C McLaughlin, McAuley, Evans, Baird; Ward, Davis, Norwood, Brunt, McGinn; Lafferty . When youve played at a club with someone and then youve worked briefly with them as a coach theres obviously a relationship there. Obviously we are less inclined to discuss the opposition because he doesnt want to tell me things I perhaps dont know and vice versa. But we both know each other inside out and how our team will play. Regardless of what happens it wont affect how close we are. Northern Ireland have never qualified for the European Championship finals, and last appeared in a major tournament at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. ONeill added: I think Mixu has done a great job. His job is quite similar to mine, you have a limited pool of players to choose from and he has got them playing in a nice style. Theres no doubt Finland are a good team but there is a dependence on five or six players. ONeill pictured and Paatelainen were together at Cowdenbeath in Scotland . 