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Belfast Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Trai Hume: Northern Ireland have to learn lessons from Denmark loss for World Cup bid
The Sunderland defender was proud to wear the armband in Copenhagen and is set to skipper the side again in Belfast on Tuesday when Michael O'Neill's young guns will aim to hit back from a 2-1 friendly loss at Parken. Hume looked to be leading the side to a half-time lead at the weekend after Pierre-Emile Højbjerg's early own goal, only for Gustav Isaksen to equalise in injury time with a classy finish and, with Northern Ireland loose in possession after the break, the Danes worked up a head of steam in the second period, grabbing a winner through Christian Eriksen. Former Linfield ace Hume said: 'In the first half, I thought we were very strong. We started the game very bright, obviously getting the goal and, you know, I thought we were very strong out of possession and we did come in at half-time disappointed that they scored just on the brink of half-time. 'In the second half, they probably had a lot more chances than we would have wanted, but I think that's probably based off their quality and probably us giving the ball away quite easily in the breaks, so that's whenever we were open and stretched and that's whenever they did get their chances. 'That's something we can look back on and learn from.' With Denmark dominant in possession for most of the contest, on the rare occasions Northern Ireland had the ball they needed to hold on to it much better than they did, especially in the second half. Hume admitted: 'In the first half, like I said, we were very organised whenever we did get the ball, we held on to it and kept it well. 'The second half we were probably a wee bit loose on it and gave it away. 'It's probably us trying to break and trying to get forward and being a wee bit loose on the ball and not looking after it, not taking care of the ball really. 'That's whenever they got their chances and had their chances to break whenever we weren't ready and set and they had more space. 'That might come down to the substitutions as well, it might come down to tiredness – many of the boys had three, four weeks off (after their seasons finished), so maybe it's a wee bit of that too. 'But we'll look back on it throughout the next couple of days and learn from it, and obviously that's the kind of risk and reward of the way we play. We want to counter, we want to try and score. If we do give the ball away, that's when you're open. We don't want to make excuses so it's something we can analyse and learn from.' That's the thing… all the friendly matches in the build up to the World Cup qualifiers are about Northern Ireland getting it right for the trips to Luxembourg and Germany in September. Take, for example, four points from that crucial double header and the loss in Denmark and the 5-1 hammering in Sweden in March will have been deemed as excellent exercises for O'Neill's young side. Hume, who gave a typically committed display in Copenhagen, added: 'Yes, I think it's about learning from it. We're going to have to go away to tough teams and probably suffer a bit without the ball the way we did against Denmark, so we have to try our best to be organised and disciplined. 'We had a very young team out there at the weekend especially when the subs came on. I don't know what the average age was but whenever I looked around they were very young.' The final friendly before Northern Ireland's September showdowns is on Tuesday evening versus Iceland, who have not played at Windsor Park since 2006. While away form has been patchy in the last year for O'Neill's new era side, in Belfast they have been brilliant, winning all three Nations League fixtures in 2024 at the national stadium without conceding a goal and drawing 1-1 three months ago when a strong Switzerland side came to town. There is a confidence about Northern Ireland on home turf with the players feeling they can take anyone on. Hume is intent that continues on Tuesday in front of the home supporters, who will want to send the players off on a high before the World Cup group begins. By then Hume will be playing in the Premier League with Sunderland having been an inspirational figure in their promotion from the Championship. 'Our home record's been very good of late, and we don't want to lose that, we don't want to change that on Tuesday,' said the defender. 'Iceland's going to be a tough test, it'll be another tough game but we've got to be ready for it.'
The 42
a day ago
- Sport
- The 42
Eriksen scores winner against Northern Ireland, Netherlands open World Cup campaign win victory
WHILE ENGLAND'S BLUSHES were spared, Austria and the Netherlands made belated starts to their World Cup qualifying campaigns with victories on Saturday. The Dutch made their debut with a crisp 2-0 win over Finland in Helsinki. Memphis Depay scored after six minutes. Denzil Dumfries, one week after his unhappy experience playing for Inter Milan in the Champions League final, added the second after 23 minutes. Netherlands jumped to third in Group G, overtaking Lithuania and Malta who drew 0-0. The Dutch are one point behind Finland and three behind leaders Poland who did not play. Advertisement Marcel Sabitzer and Michael Gregoritsch scored as Austria beat Romania 2-1 in Vienna. Florin Tanase headed an added-time reply for the visitors who had squandered several chances in the closing stages. Bosnia-Herzegovina lead Group H on nine points after Edin Dzeko scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory home over San Marino. Romania, Cyprus and Austria all have three points. Harry Kane's 72nd international goal ensured England avoided the ultimate embarrassment of failing to beat Andorra. Even so, Thomas Tuchel's side were booed off in Barcelona after struggling to impress against a team ranked 173rd in the world. England pulled five points clear after three matches in Group K as second-placed Albania drew 0-0 at home with Serbia. Rey Manaj of Albania wasted a penalty in first-half added time. Serbia was one of three teams playing their first qualifying match Saturday after they had been involved in Nations League playoffs. Elsewhere, Northern Ireland suffered a friendly defeat in Copenhagen as Christian Eriksen got the winner in a 2-1 comeback victory for Denmark. An early own goal from former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg put Michael O'Neill's young side on top but Gustav Isaksen levelled in first-half stoppage time before Eriksen swept home the winner in the 67th minute. It was a second successive friendly defeat for Michael O'Neill's side, after March's 5-1 thrashing in Sweden, but was a much better defensive performance away to top-level opposition in their penultimate match before the World Cup qualifying campaign starts in Luxembourg in September. – © AFP 2025, Additional reporting from Press Association
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Justin Devenny excited to try and nail down new position with Northern Ireland
The 21-year-old was on the bench that day but, having played a significant part in the earlier rounds for the Eagles, he deserved to celebrate like the rest of his jubilant team-mates. Fast forward to Saturday night in Copenhagen and the midfielder was putting in a serious shift in a left-wing-back type role for Northern Ireland in their 2-1 friendly defeat to Denmark. The position may have been relatively new to him but Devenny was one of Michael O'Neill's most impressive performers, creating an early goal when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg scored into his own net in the sixth minute. The lead would last until first half injury time when Gustav Isaksen finished superbly, with Danish skipper Christian Eriksen netting the winner after the break as the home side piled on the pressure. Devenny admitted it was tough going at times but he revelled in the experience of the atmospheric Parken. 'It was a new position for me but I enjoyed it, and wherever I play for the team I'm willing to do a shift,' he said. 'The first 45 was probably better than the second 45. There is a lot to learn, especially in a new position, but we'll be ready to take on information, watch the game back and see where we can improve.' Huddersfield's Brodie Spencer has occupied the left side in recent games. In Devenny's three previous internationals he was in the middle of the park but revealed he had been working on a potential new role in the build-up to the Denmark game. 'It was maybe the second day in camp that Michael told me he was thinking of playing me there and we did a few bits and bobs in training,' said Devenny. 'I thought I did well and then when he told me I'd be starting out I tried to understand the position a bit more. To be fair, I'm familiar with it from Palace as well. I know the roles and responsibilities of it and it's just putting that into place. 'I enjoy it. It is a different experience for me. There's probably a bit more high speed running. 'I was able to get on the ball against Denmark and try to understand the runs from my team-mates and try to pick them out. I thought first half I did well and in the second half there was a lot of work off the ball, but you have to be prepared to do that in international football.' Influential people at Palace like Devenny's mentality. He has brought it with him to international level. 'When they scored (to make it 2-1) we should maybe have shown a bit more belief to try and get the upper hand again rather than soaking up pressure, though there were positives to take as well.' One was the goal, which was very much down to him reading a pass from a Danish player and intercepting it. Then he drove into the box, with his cross causing havoc. 'That's a big part of being a full-back in this team. You have to be aggressive when there is a chance to win the ball,' he said. 'I saw what was happening with their pass and took off and intercepted it. I then saw the goal and was going to shoot but squared it across and thankfully it went in.' Ultimately, Denmark would come back and secure a deserved victory on a night when Northern Ireland worked extremely hard off the ball but weren't good enough on it. To a man, every player post match admitted that was an area that they needed to improve on. Devenny made the point, though, that games like the one in Denmark can benefit O'Neill's young guns when the World Cup qualifiers begin with a double-header in September away to Luxembourg and Germany. 'Absolutely. It is getting that team togetherness knowing the way we play,' said Devenny. 'This is my third camp and it's about understanding the players I'm playing with, especially against tough opposition like Denmark. It's a great learning experience. I think that builds momentum into the big games. 'When you are a kid, one of the main things you think of is playing in the World Cup. We have got that chance to try and do that. Me and all the boys are ready for that and buzzing about it.' A quality player, Devenny is a good talker too. Born in Scotland, it is their loss and Northern Ireland's gain that he has thrown his lot in with O'Neill's youthful squad, with the former Airdrie ace eligible through his mum. 'Northern Ireland showed trust in me and since I've come in, that's my fourth game. The lads are brilliant and the coaching staff are brilliant. I want to learn and improve and I'm loving it," he points out. Next should come a first Windsor Park start against Iceland on Tuesday. 'I haven't started at Windsor yet. I came on against Switzerland (in March), so hopefully I'll get a start. It's a special atmosphere and the fans are great, so I can't wait for that,' says Devenny. Mention the FA Cup Final triumph over City and his face lights up. 'Now it has probably sunk in but at the time I was in shock,' he states. 'It was such a big achievement at such a young age. I'll probably look back on my career in times to come and think of that day. It was special, and to do it with a special group of boys was great.'
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Christian Eriksen nets winner as Northern Ireland suffer defeat in Denmark
An early own goal from former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg put Michael O'Neill's side on top but Gustav Isaksen levelled in first-half stoppage time before Eriksen swept home the winner in the 67th minute. It was a second successive friendly defeat for Michael O'Neill's side, after March's 5-1 thrashing in Sweden, but was a much better defensive performance away to top-level opposition in their penultimate match before the World Cup qualifying campaign starts in Luxembourg in September. O'Neill made seven changes from that heavy loss in Stockholm, with Conor Bradley, Trai Hume and Daniel Ballard among those returning while Conor Hazard started in goal. The starting eleven had an average age of just 23.4. Denmark take the lead⚽ Christian Eriksen makes no mistake from close range! 🎯#BBCFootball — BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 7, 2025 The Parken Stadium produced its usual rowdy atmosphere before kick-off but was silenced six minutes in. Good Northern Ireland pressure in the corner forced Denmark's 18-year-old debutant Lucas Hogsberg into a poor ball out of defence and the bright Justin Devenny quickly intercepted. The Crystal Palace man, starting at left wing-back, cut into the box and his cross deflected off Joachim Andersen before Hojbjerg, under pressure from Shea Charles, turned the ball into his own net. Isaksen looked like Denmark's best outlet early on as the Lazio winger showed good trickery to break into the box more than once, but he was guilty of a dive while in a foot race with Northern Ireland skipper Hume, not fooling Cypriot referee Menelaos Antoniou. It's all over in Copenhagen. — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 Denmark, who are in Scotland's World Cup qualifying group, unsurprisingly bossed possession but frustrations grew as Northern Ireland defended well, with Ballard heading away a succession of crosses. It took until the second minute of time added on for Denmark to register a shot on target but when they did, they scored. Isaksen, having moved into a central area, was found by Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard on the edge of the box and curled a shot around Hume into the bottom corner of Hazard's net. It was Hazard's last involvement. The Plymouth goalkeeper, who had needed treatment after an earlier collision with Rasmus Hojlund, was replaced by Pierce Charles at the break. Pegged back, Northern Ireland struggled to get forward again. Bradley was having a quiet night and Dion Charles, surely low on confidence after a goalless start to life at Huddersfield, was unable to hold the ball up. Michael O'Neill named a young side (Brian Lawless/PA) Denmark were applying the pressure and Pierce Charles had to get down smartly to keep out Christian Norgaard's header. Then, from a corner, Ballard headed Andersen's header off the line before Hume made another goal-line block to deny Hogsberg. It was turning into a drab match but Denmark took the lead as they cut Northern Ireland open too easily. Isaksen's low cross was deflected by both Hume and Ballard before Eriksen, who ghosted away from Shea Charles, tucked in his 45th international goal. Mika Biereth was denied a third by an offside flag and Pierce Charles was kept busy, making an excellent double save from Mathias Kvistgaarden and Morten Hjulmand late on.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Christian Eriksen nets winner as Northern Ireland suffer defeat in Denmark
An early own goal from former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg put Michael O'Neill's side on top but Gustav Isaksen levelled in first-half stoppage time before Eriksen swept home the winner in the 67th minute. It was a second successive friendly defeat for Michael O'Neill's side, after March's 5-1 thrashing in Sweden, but was a much better defensive performance away to top-level opposition in their penultimate match before the World Cup qualifying campaign starts in Luxembourg in September. O'Neill made seven changes from that heavy loss in Stockholm, with Conor Bradley, Trai Hume and Daniel Ballard among those returning while Conor Hazard started in goal. The starting eleven had an average age of just 23.4. Denmark take the lead⚽ Christian Eriksen makes no mistake from close range! 🎯#BBCFootball — BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 7, 2025 The Parken Stadium produced its usual rowdy atmosphere before kick-off but was silenced six minutes in. Good Northern Ireland pressure in the corner forced Denmark's 18-year-old debutant Lucas Hogsberg into a poor ball out of defence and the bright Justin Devenny quickly intercepted. The Crystal Palace man, starting at left wing-back, cut into the box and his cross deflected off Joachim Andersen before Hojbjerg, under pressure from Shea Charles, turned the ball into his own net. Isaksen looked like Denmark's best outlet early on as the Lazio winger showed good trickery to break into the box more than once, but he was guilty of a dive while in a foot race with Northern Ireland skipper Hume, not fooling Cypriot referee Menelaos Antoniou. It's all over in Copenhagen. — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 Denmark, who are in Scotland's World Cup qualifying group, unsurprisingly bossed possession but frustrations grew as Northern Ireland defended well, with Ballard heading away a succession of crosses. It took until the second minute of time added on for Denmark to register a shot on target but when they did, they scored. Isaksen, having moved into a central area, was found by Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard on the edge of the box and curled a shot around Hume into the bottom corner of Hazard's net. It was Hazard's last involvement. The Plymouth goalkeeper, who had needed treatment after an earlier collision with Rasmus Hojlund, was replaced by Pierce Charles at the break. Pegged back, Northern Ireland struggled to get forward again. Bradley was having a quiet night and Dion Charles, surely low on confidence after a goalless start to life at Huddersfield, was unable to hold the ball up. Michael O'Neill named a young side (Brian Lawless/PA) Denmark were applying the pressure and Pierce Charles had to get down smartly to keep out Christian Norgaard's header. Then, from a corner, Ballard headed Andersen's header off the line before Hume made another goal-line block to deny Hogsberg. It was turning into a drab match but Denmark took the lead as they cut Northern Ireland open too easily. Isaksen's low cross was deflected by both Hume and Ballard before Eriksen, who ghosted away from Shea Charles, tucked in his 45th international goal. Mika Biereth was denied a third by an offside flag and Pierce Charles was kept busy, making an excellent double save from Mathias Kvistgaarden and Morten Hjulmand late on.
