They did not forget the bitter end five years ago, but there are much more at stake to think only of revenge. Northern Ireland is aware of the power of the Slovak national football team, but it is ready to take an important step in the fight to advance to the World Championship 2026 in Canada, USA and Mexico.
A Slovak national football selection will be an extremely demanding test on Friday, which will be the 3rd match of the A-Group qualifying for the World Championship 2026. The host will be the unpleasant Northern Ireland, which has not known the feeling of loss for about two years.
The selection of Italian coach Francesco Calzon must be prepared for an extremely demanding test, which will be all the more difficult because this time there will be several key players. Sport.sk talked to a football journalist about a meeting at the Belfast Stadium in Windsor Park Julian Tylor. The correspondent Belfastu Telegraph or British The Guardian.
The triumph over Germany has also raised a response in Northern Ireland
Slovakia is placed 30 ranks higher than Northern Ireland in the FIFA ranking and has remained undefeated in all previous matches. How do you perceive the Francesca Calzon team?
“I perceive Slovakia as a very heavy opponent and a team that must defeat Northern Ireland if it still wants to have a chance to second in the group – assuming it wins Germany. The fact that they are much higher than Northern Ireland has a reason in the FIFA ranking.
Even so, it was supposed to be a challenging match for Northern Ireland, but since the victory of Slovakia over Germany was basically surprised by all, this Friday match makes a little harder.
Slovakia deserves respect, just look at some clubs in which its players work – for example, Naples, Feyenoord and Lyon. But the minimal absence of Stanislav Lobotka for injury could give Northern Ireland a little encouragement. ”
)
The captain of the Slovak national football team Milan Škriniar sat in front of journalists on Tuesday and commented on the duel with Northern Ireland, the absences in our team, but also David Hanck.
Slovakia managed to defeat Germany in the first qualifying match 2: 0. Has this result in Northern Ireland attracted attention?
“Yes, it certainly certainly caused a big surprise in the media after Northern Ireland has recently defeated Luxembourg.
At that time, the feeling that defeat in Bratislava would be mobilizing so much that Northern Ireland would defeat at home a few days later, which subsequently happened.
After this match, in my opinion, the concerns of Northern Ireland fans grew that Slovakia would be a harder rival than originally expected. Although the victory of Slovakia was surprising over the Germans, it forced people to think that Germany is not as cohesive and impressive as you would normally assume. ”
Great force especially at home and threat named Isaac Price
Northern Ireland performs the best performances especially at home, collects very few goals and does not play. This is confirmed by his amazing balance of the last home matches. How do you explain this home form?
“Northern Ireland’s advantages are usually in its organization. He is a young team and coach Michael O’Neill cleverly took it on the way to focus mainly on the basics – that is, to be strong in defense and by using a large team spirit. The offensive formation is the weakest part of the cadre.
Standard situations are our goal threat at home, so Slovakia should be well prepared for it. A year ago, northern Ireland defeated Bulgaria in the Belfast League 5: 0 – it was a pleasant surprise for all, as we are rarely such a staple!
Personally, I tend to be quite self -confident that Northern Ireland can at least avoid a loss in most home matches, regardless of the opponent. Even fans are very helpful and noisy at home. Windsor Park has only 18,500 seats, but if the team is fighting, the noise level is easily balanced by the stadium with a double capacity. ”
)
He transferred to the English club Middlesbrough FC only in early September this year and is already building a name in his new club. David Sagittarius revealed what surprised him in challenging II. The English league compared to the Slovak Niké League and also revealed what feature is only “playing”.
What do you think are the strengths of Northern Ireland? What would you consider to be his main weapon or the strongest advantage?
“I feel that the main strengths are collective determination, strong defense and decent creativity in the middle of the field to the attack. In defense, the new TRAI captain is extremely robust and consistent.
He, along with Conor Bradley, is playing in the English Premier League for Sunderland and Liverpool – they both love hard interventions on opponents and play with the aggressiveness and confidence you would expect from much older players.
Other northern Ireland strengths are Shea Charles and Isaac Price. Both have the prerequisites for a big future. Charles is a very elegant midfielder with a good nature that is good on the ball and can bring a key pass. Price is a “wild card” of the team – he likes to attack from the middle of the field and is a great ending.
If Northern Ireland has a chance to win on Friday, Price must be in top form. He scored 10 goals in 24 matches, which is amazing. He has already scored more goals at international level than the great George Best (9), which says everything! ”
Coach Michael O’Neill has considerable experience with Northern Ireland and is the second time with the team. How do you perceive it? Is he currently the right man for this job?
“He’s the right man for working on the bench of Northern Ireland, without any doubt. O’Neill is very popular among players and fans and has great respect for what he brought us to the euro 2016 after 30 years after 30 years in a big tournament. rivals and the like.
O’Neill is generally calm on the side line, he is a coach who plays on the strengths of the players and does the most to make everything out of the cadre. It organizes players so that they work well without the ball against the “bigger” opponents. It was obvious that it worked very well in Cologne an hour or something more, when Northern Ireland frustrated the Germans until it eventually lost 1: 3.
Working in Northern Ireland is difficult in the sense that the country has a small population, so it is crucial to identify and work with all players coming from youth levels. His experience will be in important matches like Friday, crucial. Fans are sure that O’Neill sets the players to the right mental well -being. ”
The absence of Slovakia increases the chance of Northern Ireland
Slovakia will also include the best shooter of the EUR 2024 Ivan Schranz. In addition, Stanislav Lobotka is injured and we cannot count with David Hanck from Atlética Madrid. Do you think the chances of Northern Ireland for victory have increased due to these absences?
“I think the absence of these players will be a significant encouragement for Northern Ireland.
)
The qualifying match with Northern Ireland will be very demanding not only in terms of the inconvenience and quality of Friday’s opponent, but also because coach Francesco Calzon will not be able to count on several key supports. However, successors report that they are ready to give a helping hand.
Does the North Irish team also have problems with injuries or cadre?
“This time, for a change, not. Northern Ireland was missing several players for a match with Germany, and if an ordinary striker is injured or suspended, this usually represents a noticeable problem. Fortunately, before Slovakia’s arrival, the national team has a pure health condition.”
There are only four teams in the qualifying group, which makes each match key. What match do you expect on Friday with regard to this fact?
“This is a huge match for Northern Ireland. I would expect a living, physical meeting that the team will approach with caution but optimistic. O’Neill certainly stressed its players that it is the biggest match in Northern Ireland in recent years.
I would assume that Northern Ireland will start the match with the right degree of aggression and will try to put Slovakia under pressure, and the early goal would be great. However, it is also necessary to pay attention to counterattacks – Northern Ireland sometimes collected in this way.
Slovaks are a type of nation with which Northern Ireland must compete and defeat it if he wants to demonstrate how much these young players have moved with, as well as if he wants to increase the chances of promoting qualifications. ”
There is more than an aspect of revenge
Their last meeting was a round of Euro 2020, where Slovakia won after overtime and qualified. Has this memory remained in the memory of Northern Ireland and could a Friday match be like a revanum for them?
“In recent days, this match has been quite talked about, the memory is still very lively. Of course, it was an extremely frustrating night for Northern Ireland-to lose so tightly. At the same time, only four players from that night remain in the current cadre, and goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, midfielder Paddy McNAIR and George Saville Plus Josh Magennis.
In addition, Northern Ireland had another coach – Ian Baraclough – before the second work of Michael O’Neill, which would indicate a slightly smaller aspect of ‘revenge’. There are quite a lot on stake on Friday, so I don’t think this will be the main motivation. Although we never know! ”
Well properly Selected events in the match and win Playstation 5Slim Digital
Keep reading
