THE FIRST AIM IS TO MAKE IT EVEN STEVEN

BULLISH Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis isn’t giving up on his World Cup dream without a fight.

Switzerland hold a crucial 1-0 advantage from Thursday’s first leg in Belfast heading into this afternoon’s return showdown at St Jakob Park.

But while the Swiss are massive 20/1 odds on favourites to get the job done and qualify for Russia, Davis is confident Michael

O’Neill’s men can cause a shock.

The prize? A first

World Cup for the province since Billy

Bingham’s legendary sides of 1982 and 1986.

The Southampton midfielder said: “We’re still 90 minutes away from a World Cup, irrespective of what happened the other night.

“All of us as young players, we always dreamt of playing at a World Cup and it would the pinnacle of everyone’s career to do so.

“We understand the magnitude of this game and we will go out and give it our all. Even at 1-0, it’s evenly balanced and a lot can happen in 90 minutes.

“We are playing a strong team, but we want to try and cause them some more problems. We have everything to gain.”

Davis believes the fact Northern Ireland – who are without the suspended Corry Evans (inset) and have a major doubt over Stuart Dallas – now have to go for it in Basel can work in their favour.

He said: “All the pressure is on Switzerland.

“We have nothing to lose and we’ve got to use that to our advantage.

“Maybe at times in the home leg, we were a little bit cautious, so we’ve got to get the balance right, be braver in possession and in how we press without the ball.”

While frustrated by the controversial penalty decision that gifted Switzerland their winner in Belfast, Davis believes it can motivate Northern Ireland in Basel.

He said: “Any frustrations we had, we have to use it as fuel and motivation to go and get a result.

“Listen, we know it’ll be very difficult – Switzerland’s home form is very good – but we also believe we are capable of playing a lot better than we showed in the home leg.”

An indication of the task facing Northern Ireland today is the fact the Swiss have lost just two qualifiers in the last 16 years at St Jakob Park.

Darren Murray would have netted a third at the death after he won a penalty, were it not for Doherty’s save.

In yesterday’s other game, Cliftonville demolished Ballinamallard United 5-0 to move up to fourth, while the Mallards remain rooted to the bottom of the Premiership.

Joe Gormley and substitute Daniel Hughes each claimed a brace after Jay Donnelly netted the opener.

Gormley headed low to finish for his first goal, then did well to stay upright under pressure to release a low, hard drive past Mallards skipper Richard Brush.

Hughes scored twice in as many minutes, a defensive blunder allowing him to find the bottom corner late on before he converted from the spot with five minutes left.