Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
STU TO GRAB BUL BY HORNS
STUART DALLAS accepts Wednesday’s World Cup date with Bulgaria in Belfast could have a big say on Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching Qatar 2022.
On the back of Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to Italy in Parma, a win is almost essential if Ian Baraclough’s men are to stay on the shoulders of the early
Group C pacesetters.
The Azzurri are firm favourites to top the pool and qualify automatically, while second seeds Switzerland also got off to a flier with a 3-1 win over the Bulgarians in Sofia.
Dallas knows putting points on the board is essential ahead of the resumption of the campaign in September where a double-header with Lithuania away and the Swiss at home lies in wait.
The Leeds United midfielder said: “Without being disrespectful to Bulgaria, these are the games we’re going to have to win if we want to stay in contention in the group.
“Going to play Italy in Parma was always going to be a tough ask but we’re at home against Bulgaria and it’s a game we need to be looking to win.”
Baraclough described Thursday’s defeat at Stadio Ennio Tardini as a “game of two very different halves” with a passive opening period costing Northern Ireland dear.
Goals from the lively
Domenico Berardi and Lazio striker Ciro Immobile, helped in no small part by defensive errors, put Roberto Mancini’s
(inset) Italians in control at the break.
The floodgates might have opened but the visitors hit back and should have scored with Paddy Mcnair, Michael Smith and Gavin Whyte all passing up on good chances.
“We put in a great second half performance,” said Dallas. “It was difficult in the first half and I thought we showed them too much respect if
I’m honest.
“We made a few mistakes, certainly for both goals, and we just couldn’t get our press right. It was disappointing but in the second half we had a good go and pressed higher up the pitch.
“We were making tackles, winning first and second balls and created some good chances. On another night we could have got something from the game.
“We can take a lot from that heading into the remainder of the campaign.” Northern Ireland will seek their first home win in seven outings when they welcome the USA to Belfast for tomorrow’s friendly but once again the game will be without fans.
“Every team loves playing in front of their fans but it is what it is and we can’t really complain,” said Dallas. “Unfortunately, it’s the situation we’re in at the moment.”