Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DAVIS WON’T DWELL ON DEFEAT
STEVEN DAVIS says Northern Ireland cannot afford to dwell too long on their German runaround.
Thursday night’s 3-1 defeat in Belfast to a dominant Die Mannschaft – who were ahead after only 79 seconds - was a frustrating experience.
But Davis insists Michael
O’neill’s men don’t have time to feel sorry for themselves as they prepare for tomorrow’s final group game with Norway in Oslo. With a place in the World
Cup play-offs within reach, a win at the Ullevaal Stadion would put any doubts to bed and cement Northern Ireland’s place in the two legged shootout.
Skipper Davis (left) said: “It was a very difficult night against the Germans and it was a big blow to concede so early in the game but I thought the character we showed was great.
“It’s important we don’t get too disheartened because we were playing the No1 ranked team in the world with a lot of quality. Hopefully we can learn from that and I believe we can.
“Germany are very good. They test you all the time with the positions they take up and their movement. Sometimes it feels like they have an extra man on the pitch.
“They are very clever but that game is gone now and we need to pick ourselves up and finish the job in Norway.”
While it is possible Northern Ireland could still seal a play-off spot even if they lose in Oslo, Davis says the visitors have an added incentive to end the pool on a high.
Not only would a win cement a play-off berth, it would also boost the country’s hopes of being one of the four seeded teams in the October 17 draw.
The skipper said: “The seeding situation is important and there are so many permutations but we just have to try and pick up a positive result.
“We want to put ourselves in as strong a position as possible and guarantee a play-off spot. If we manage to be one of the seeded teams, that would be a massive boost.”
Meanwhile, Norway striker
Joshua King (inset) suffered a hamstring injury in the 8-0 World Cup qualifying win over San Marino and will miss the game.
“I felt something in my hamstring during the game and with my history we’re not taking any risks,” said Bournemouth man King.