Why Iceland could prove a real thorn in Northern Ireland's side in intriguing clash of friendly fire
The Iceland national team crest of a giant, a dragon, a bull and an eagle, all introduced by the country's governing body in 2020, could be described as emblematic of the echo and courage of livelier times.
In footballing terms, the country's heart soared with the odyssey that ended Roy Hodgson's tenure as England boss with a famous victory in the Euro 2016 Round of 16 before going out to host nation France at the Quarter-Final stage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Why Iceland could prove a real thorn in Northern Ireland's side in intriguing clash of friendly fire
The Iceland national team crest of a giant, a dragon, a bull and an eagle, all introduced by the country's governing body in 2020, could be described as emblematic of the echo and courage of livelier times. In footballing terms, the country's heart soared with the odyssey that ended Roy Hodgson's tenure as England boss with a famous victory in the Euro 2016 Round of 16 before going out to host nation France at the Quarter-Final stage.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
Wales brush aside Liechtenstein to maintain Craig Bellamy's unbeaten reign
The unbeaten reign of Craig Bellamy continued as his Wales side propelled themselves to the top of their World Cup qualifying group with a thumping win. Bellamy was appointed head coach in July 2024 and the national side have drawn four and won five under him. Wales leapfrogged North Macedonia, who drew 1-1 to Belgium on Friday. The Red Devils are only just getting their qualifiers under way because they were involved in Nations League playoffs in March. Belgium are the favourites to top the group with the prize for doing so automatic qualification. But Wales's great run has put them in a good position to challenge Domenico Tedesco's Belgium, who they play on Monday and have a history of upsetting with that famous 3-1 win in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. Wales were firmly focused on the opposition in front of them and on Friday Liechtenstein made their presence known. While the visiting fans were heavily outnumbered, they were the ones in the car park pre-match who could be heard singing songs and shouting chants. They made the trip to see if their side could end a 35-game losing streak, which has lasted five years. The two countries have met three times before with Wales victorious on all three occasions and Liechtenstein were winless in their past 43 World Cup qualifiers. The hosts were undoubtedly huge favourites and under cloudy conditions they ensured Liechtenstein's wait for a win continued. Whistling, boos and chants of 'Wales' drowned out Liechtenstein's national anthem before the spine-tingling Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau began. The music was cut to allow the Wales supporters to belt out the anthem. They played their part and it was the players turn to perform. Harry Wilson, who returned after missing the March qualifiers with injury, took an early free-kick and went for goal but his attempt was fired wide. Wales kept up the pressure, particularly through the attacking spark of Sorba Thomas, but the visitors soaked it up. While it was all Wales in the early stages, it was not all good news for the hosts as they were forced into an early change with Neco Williams off with injury. He needed a stretcher with a suspected hamstring problem and was shaking his head as he was wheeled along the touchline. Kieffer Moore and Ben Davies had close chances but Brennan Johnson, the Spurs hero from the Europa League final, came closest with a deft touch. Benjamin Büchel, who has won Liechtenstein's player of the year three seasons in a row, made an incredible save. Ethan Ampadu, also returning to the side, was the next to take a shot with a bicycle kick almost beating Büchel but the Vaduz keeper nudged it over the bar. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Liechtenstein had been well-drilled in defence but the simplest of set pieces unpicked the deadlock. A good delivery from Thomas allowed Joe Rodon to head home and so the half-time score stood at 1-0. Wales continued with their relentless attack but the visitors reverted to a brick wall with chances continually repelled. That was until Wilson headed an excellent shot, his fifth goal in seven games under Bellamy. The Fulham forward is the top scorer under the head coach. Moore then got his goal with a tap in before a ripple of applause came over the crowd in the 68th minute in memory of The Alarm's Mike Peters, who sang Wales's Euro 2020 anthem. He was an avid supporter of the team who died in April. The 68th minute was chosen in honour of The Alarm hit 68 Guns. The pace of the game slowed but the result was already sewn up with it equalling the best win under Bellamy after a 4-1 victory against Iceland in the Nations League in November. Wales face their toughest test against Belgium in a few day's time and they will have to make history if they want to come away with maximum points as they have never won a match in Belgium.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
Scotland team v Iceland predicted - defensive shake-up, Kieran Tierney experiment and first start for striker
Scotland begin preparations for the start of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in September with a friendly double-header this week. Steve Clarke's side face Iceland at Hampden Park on Friday night before travelling to Liechenstein on Monday for their final warm-up match ahead of the bid to reach the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year. The Scots are looking to bounce back from a sour end to their Nations League campaign back in March when they succumbed to a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Greece in their League A/B play-off with a 3-0 loss in the second leg at Hampden coming as a major disappointment following the 1-0 away victory in the first leg four days earlier. The setback - which ended a run a three successive victories - meant Scotland lost their place in the top tier of the Nations League as they were relegated back to League B after one campaign in League A. Scotland will now look to restore some positivity against two opponents they will be expected to beat. Iceland have tumbled down the Fifa rankings in recent years after the highs of reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 and qualifying for their first World Cup in 2020. Now down at 74th, they finished third in their Nations League B section behind Wales and Turkey, but in front of Montenegro, who they registered their two wins against. Liechtenstein, meanwhile, are ranked 205th in the world, and lost twice to San Marino in their Nations League D campaign, one of only five teams below them in the rankings. Clarke has a decision to make over his team selection and tactics for both matches. He has named seven uncapped players in his squad but is without regulars Craig Gordon, Kenny McLean, Ryan Christie and Lyndon Dykes through injury. A fully fit Kieran Tierney also resurfaces an old dilemma for Clarke over how to incorporate both the returning Celtic left-back and Liverpool's Andy Robertson in the same starting line-up with a possible return to a back three, or an experimental option at his disposal. Here is how we predict Clarke could line up against Iceland at Hampden on Friday... 1 . Angus Gunn - GK The currently unattached 29-year-old goalkeeper following his Norwich City exit will likely be brought back in to start for his 16th cap in place of the injured Craig Gordon. | SNS Group Photo Sales 2 . Max Johnston - RB A home friendly against Iceland feels like the right time to give the 21-year-old Sturm Graz right-back his chance in the Scotland starting XI after a breakthrough season in Austria, which culminated in a second successive league title win and appearances in the Champions League. | SNS Group Photo Sales 3 . John Souttar - RCB After years of injury trouble, the Rangers defender appears to have finally cemented his status as a first-choice centre-back for Scotland. In line to win his 16th cap. | SNS Group Photo Sales 4 . Scott McKenna - LCB A puzzling one. The Las Palmas centre-back who played almost every week in La Liga, and starred in victories over Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, albeit before suffering relegation, has been kept out of the Scotland starting line-up by a Grant Hanley who couldn't get a game for either Norwich or Birmingham last season. Now must surely be the time to give the Souttar-McKenna partnership a chance, which, on paper, should be Scotland's strongest centre-back pairing. | SNS Group Photo Sales
