Northern Ireland v Hungary (29/03/2022)

INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE MATCH NORTHERN IRELAND V HUNGARY

NATIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | 29/03/2022 | £4

02. TEAMS 03.

PRESIDENT ’S WELCOME

04. IAN BARACLOUGH 07. PATRICK NELSON 10. NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD 12. SHANE FERGUSON 18. DID YOU KNOW? 27. THE OPPONENTS 32. CIARON BROWN 51. INTERNATIONAL RECORD

IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT: CONRAD KIRKWOOD CHIEF EXECUTIVE: PATRICK NELSON ADVERTISING: IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION PICTURES: PRESS EYE

OFFICIAL PUBL ICATION BY IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION NAT IONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM, DONEGALL AVE , BELFAST BT12 5LW

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS: DANNY LYNCH EDITOR: NIGEL T ILSON DESIGN: L ANDMARK PRINT: MADCOLOUR.COM PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIEWS IN THIS PROGRAMME DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION.

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NORTHERN IRELAND GREEN & WHITE

HUNGARY RED, WHI TE & GREEN

MANAGER I. BARACLOUGH

MANAGER M. ROSSI

B. PEACOCK-FARRELL (SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY)* C. HAZARD (HJK HELSINKI)**

P. GULACSI (RB LEIPZIG (GER)) D. DIBUSZ (FERENCVAROS) P. SZAPPANOS (HONVED) A. LANG (OMONIA (CYP)) A. FIOLA (FEHERVAR) W. ORBAN (RB LEIPZIG (GER)) A. SZALAI (FENERBAHCE) L. NEGO (FEHERVAR) E. BOTKA (FERENCVAROS) Z. NAGY (PUSKAS AKADEMIA) A. KECSKES (NIZHNY NOVGOROD (RUS)) B. BOLLA (GRASSHOPPERS (SUI)) A. NAGY (PISA (ITA)) D. SZOBOSZLAI (RB LEIPZIG (GER)) A. SCHAFER (UNION BERLIN (GER)) D. GAZDAG (PHILADELPHIA UNION (USA)) B. VECSEI (FERENCVAROS)

L. SOUTHWOOD (READING) D. BALLARD (MILLWALL)*** C. BROWN (OXFORD UNITED)**** C. CATHCART (WATFORD) S. FERGUSON (ROTHERHAM UNITED) T. FLANAGAN (SHREWSBURY TOWN) T. HUME (SUNDERLAND) P. McNAIR (MIDDLESBROUGH) C. BOYD-MUNCE (MIDDLESBROUGH) S. DALLAS (LEEDS UNITED) S. DAVIS (RANGERS) (C) L. DONNELLY (MOTHERWELL) C. EVANS (SUNDERLAND) P. LANE (FLEETWOOD TOWN) A. McCANN (PRESTON NORTH END) N. McGINN (DUNDEE) G. SAVILLE (MILLWALL) J. THOMPSON (STOKE CITY) D. CHARLES (BOLTON WANDERERS) S. LAVERY (BLACKPOOL) J. MAGENNIS (WIGAN ATHLETIC) G. WHYTE (OXFORD UNITED)*****

P. BARATH (DEBRECEN) C. STYLES (BARNSLEY) A. SZALAI (BASEL (SUI)) (C) R. SALLAI (SC FREIBURG (GER)) K. VARGA (YOUNG BOYS (SUI)) S. SCHON (FC DALLAS (USA)) M. ADAM (PAKSI)

* ON LOAN FROM BURNLEY ** ON LOAN FROM CELT IC *** ON LOAN FROM ARSENAL

**** ON LOAN FROM CARDIFF CI T Y ***** ON LOAN FROM CARDIFF CI T Y

MATCH DAY OFFICIALS REFEREE : ROBERT HARVEY (IRL)

ASSISTANT REFEREE : DERMOT BROUGHTON (IRL) ASSISTANT REFEREE : DARRAGH KEEGAN (IRL) FOURTH OFFICIAL : NEIL DOYLE (IRL)

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

There are no easy games at international level, and that proved to be the case again when we faced Luxembourg on Friday. It is particularly pleasing to have secured an away win even in a friendly.

Inspired by Ferenc Puskas, Hungary won the 1952 Olympics and then went and beat England 6-3 in front of 105,000 fans at Wembley in ‘ The Match of the Century’. A year later Hungary beat England 7-1 in Budapest , with Puskas scoring twice. It remains England’s heaviest defeat . For my part , I have fondest memories of our 2-1 away win against Hungary on 7 September 2014 in which goals from Niall McGinn and Kyle Lafferty sealed the deal late in the game in Budapest and kickstarted a memorable campaign which took us to the Euros in France in 2016. Four of our six previous meetings with the Mag yars have been decided by a one goal margin. Hungary are FIFA ranked 13 places ahead of Northern Ireland in 41st place, and on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Serbia the Mag yars will be anxious to make amends. It should be a good game and I hope that the younger additions to our squad learn from the experience. Finally, my thanks goes to those of you who have chosen to cheer on the senior women’s team at home against England on 12 April . An unprecedented 14,000-plus fans will attend and eclipse the highest attendance figure for a senior women’s international in Northern Ireland with ease. There will be a family atmosphere, with many girls and boys at the game, and I hope the support will spur Kenny Shiels’ team on to even greater heights CONRAD KIRKWOOD PRESIDENT IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

It was equally rewarding that 208 of the Green and White Army made the journey from our wee country to theirs to lend their support at the Stade de Luxembourg as we secured a 3-1 victory. The opener for Josh Magennis brought him level on nine goals with George Best , Gareth McAuley, Martin O’Neill and Norman Whiteside. The goal from Steven Davis puts him joint third with Colin Clarke in the all-time top scorers list . These are all inspirational figures in Northern Ireland football . Tonight I am pleased to draw further inspiration from the Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy team who are attending the game as my guests. I am sure you will join me in wishing boss Alan Crooks, captain Jordan Walker and the side every success in the IFCPF World Cup in Salou in April /May. I should also like to welcome the players, officials and supporters of Hungary to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. In common with Northern Ireland, Hungary will be using the friendly in Belfast as preparation for competing in the UEFA Nations League this summer and autumn. Whilst we draw on history from World Cups and most recently Euro 2016, Hungary have an impressive history on the international stage with three Olympic gold medals and two World Cup final appearances. Indeed Hungary were seen as pioneers in the 1950s when their ‘Golden Team’ revolutionised the way the sport was played. Between 1950 and 1956 Hungary played 69 games, winning 58 of them and suffering only one defeat . That team is credited with initially introducing ‘ Total Football’ and placing significance on tactics, training and fitness, as they operated in a 3-2-3-2 formation.

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Naturally I was pleased with the win against Luxembourg on Friday, and pleased to score three goals away from home. We were pretty clinical in front of goal, which is good.

Having said that I think we can be a lot better in possession. I thought we gave up possession too easily at times at the Stade de Luxembourg. And we were unable to build attacks as we would have liked. The game had a bit of a pre-season feel to it in the way that you are a little bit rusty as a group and the cohesion was not quite there, but at the end of the day we have to be pleased that we won the game. We move on knowing that we will not get ahead of ourselves and we will work as hard as we can to rectify any issues against Hungary. There were some good individual performances in Luxembourg’s new national stadium. I was pleased with Conor Hazard and Luke Southwood. They both looked composed and assured. It needs to be a squad effort , especially with the UEFA Nations League games coming up in June. Four games in 10 days will be a tough ask and everyone has got to be ready and able to go in and make an impact . Certainly the substitutes we brought on against Luxembourg made an impact , which is pleasing. The depth of the squad now is a real positive. No disrespect to Luxembourg, but Hungary are a different level and we face a tough assignment in tonight’s friendly against them. They are a team who are very much on the up. Going in to League A in the Nations League is credit to them and the work that they have done to improve.

I have no doubt that we will have to be at our very best to get something out of the game because the Hungarians are strong in all areas. They did well at the Euros last summer in the ‘Group of Death’ and in particular they gave both France and Germany a tough time. In recent years they have brought several young players through their system into the senior team and they have developed a style of play that suits them. I think they are very, very good as a team. They don’t really have stand-out individuals. Instead it is all about the team working together, and they work hard for each other across all areas of the pitch. It was great to have a small band of the Green and White Army cheering us on at the Stade de Luxembourg and I am delighted that will be playing in front of a full house at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park tonight . Our fans definitely give us a huge lift and the players love performing here. So thanks for your unwavering support . Hopefully we can send you all home in a good mood after a

positive result . IAN BARACLOUGH NORTHERN IRELAND MANAGER

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GOOD EVENING In men’s international football terms 2022 will be a year with a strange and unusual rhythm. With the FIFA World Cup being played in December for the first time, the usual international windows are still in place but are being used in a different way.

For example, it is unusual to have two friendly fixtures in the March window, but this is what we have this year. On Friday evening we travelled to play in the impressive new Stade de Luxembourg and beat the hosts by a 3-1 scoreline, partly at least putting to bed the memory of our 3-2 defeat nine years ago at the old Stade Josy Barthel . Tonight we welcome Hungary to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for our second March friendly. They were last here in September 2015 when a 94th minute Kyle Lafferty equaliser kept us on the road to France. The game was also memorable (in the wrong way) for Chris Baird, who was given two yellow cards (and then the inevitable red) for committing two fouls in the same passage of play. This was a decision by the Turkish referee Cüneyt Çakir which had us all scratching our heads, but in the end he was right of course! Staying with the theme of this being a different type of year in the international football world, we have a competitive quadruple header coming up in June with four UEFA Nations League games on the calendar. We will be home to Greece, away to Kosovo, and both home and away against our final opponent ,

Cyprus or Estonia, who are playing this evening to see which country stays in Nations League C. This will , of course, be a challenge for us as June games are out of season for our players, however with a UEFA Euro 2024 play-off place up for grabs - even before we play the main qualifiers - these games are very significant . We are delighted that we will have a full house in the stadium this evening to support Bara’s squad. And speaking of tickets, if you haven’t got yours yet for the senior women’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against England here on 12 April then you might need to move fast! We are now up to 14,000 tickets sold for this match, and it will be a record home crowd for our senior women’s team as they continue to plan for UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England this summer. Enjoy the game tonight , and we will hopefully see you back here for the England match next month.

PATRICK NELSON CHIEF EXECUT IVE IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

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POS: CLUB: GOALKEEPER READING LUKE SOUTHWOOD

DANIEL BALLARD

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

GOALKEEPER SHEFF IELD WEDNESDAY

GOALKEEPER HJK HELSINKI

DEFENDER MILLWALL

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

22

1

0

25

29

0

24

4

0

22

12

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ON LOAN FROM BURNLEY

ON LOAN FROM CELT IC

ON LOAN FROM ARSENAL

CIARON BROWN

CRAIG CATHCART

SHANE FERGUSON

TOM FLANAGAN

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

DEFENDER ROTHERHAM UNI TED

DEFENDER SHREWSBURY TOWN

DEFENDER OXFORD UNI TED

DEFENDER WAT FORD

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

24

8

0

33

68

2

30

54

2

30

13

0

ON LOAN FROM CARDIFF CI T Y

TRAI HUME

PADDY McNAIR

POS: CLUB: MIDF IELDER MIDDLESBROUGH CAOLAN BOYD-MUNCE

STUART DALLAS

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

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DEFENDER SUNDERL AND

DEFENDER MIDDLESBROUGH

MIDF IELDER LEEDS UNI TED

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

20

0

0

26

52

5

22

0

0

30

61

3

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STEVEN DAVIS

L IAM DONNELLY

CORRY EVANS

PATRICK LANE

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

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MIDF IELDER RANGERS

MIDF IELDER MOTHERWELL

MIDF IELDER SUNDERL AND

MIDF IELDER FLEE TWOOD TOWN

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

26

3

0

31

69

2

21

0

0

37

133

13

AL I McCANN

NIALL McGINN

GEORGE SAVILLE

JORDAN THOMPSON

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

MIDF IELDER PRESTON NORTH END

MIDF IELDER DUNDEE

MIDF IELDER MILLWALL

MIDF IELDER STOKE CI T Y

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

22

10

1

34

69

6

28

36

0

24

21

0

DION CHARLES

SHAYNE LAVERY

JOSH MAGENNIS

GAVIN WHY TE

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FORWARD

FORWARD

FORWARD WIGAN ATHLE T IC

FORWARD OXFORD UNI TED

BOLTON WDRS

BL ACKPOOL

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

26

7

0

23

10

1

31

65

9

25

21

4

ON LOAN FROM CARDIFF CI T Y

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SQUAD NO: 11 \ NI APP: 53 CLUBS: NEWCASTLE UNI TED (23) BIRMINGHAM CI T Y (LOAN) (11) BIRMINGHAM CI T Y (LOAN) (18) RANGERS (LOAN) (2) MILLWALL (LOAN) (25) MILLWALL (155) ROTHERHAM UNI TED (29)

SHANE FERGUSON A PROUD AND SPECIAL MOMENT

Shane Ferguson has described winning his 50th cap for Northern Ireland as “one of the best moments of my life”.

PLACE OF BIRTH: DERRY/LONDONDERRY HEIGHT: 178CM WEIGHT: 66KG

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WORDS: MARK McINTOSH THE SUN

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when two goals in the final nine minutes from Niall McGinn and Kyle Lafferty set Northern Ireland on their way to qualifying for Euro 2016. Many questions had been asked of the squad in the build-up to that campaign but coming from a goal down to win 2-1 with two late strikes helped transform the belief in the squad - and the country. “That started everything off in that campaign, so it is a game I will always look back fondly on, and I’m sure a lot of the lads would say the same,” added Ferguson. “Coming from behind late on gave us the confidence and the belief in ourselves. “You knew after that game there was something special building and that’s the way it proved because we ended up topping the group and qualifying for the Euros.” This month’s friendlies give international boss Ian Baraclough the chance to spend time in camp with his squad ahead of the UEFA Nations League campaign beginning in June. With the season approaching the business end, an international break could be far from ideal , however Ferguson and his team-mates couldn’t wait to get together for the first time this year. He said: “These friendlies are going to be useful ahead of the Nations League games in the summer. “It is a good time to try certain things and look at different players in certain positions before the Nations League in June. “The lads have been really looking forward to it , even though our record in the Nations League hasn’t been great . “But we’ve been able to bring a lot of new players into the squad during Nations League games and if you look at the squad now there are young lads who have played massive games. “That experience also helps us all at club level and I think we’ve all progressed as players. “I’ve really enjoyed it under Ian (Baraclough) . The lads get on very well with him and the staff. We’re enjoying working with each other and really looking forward to what’s next for us as a squad.”

A PROUD AND SPECIAL MOMENT

The Rotherham United star marked the milestone with a sensational 30-yard wonder goal to beat Estonia last September - but getting the captain’s armband was a major highlight . Ferguson, 30, was handed the armband by skipper on the night Niall McGinn and the memories from Tallinn will live with the ex-Millwall and Newcastle United man for a lifetime. “It was honestly one of the best moments I’ve ever had in my life,” revealed Ferguson. “I didn’t know if I was going to play because of an injury. Thankfully I was able to get onto the pitch and get that 50th cap. It was a nice gesture from Niall to give me the armband when I came on and it was a real proud and special moment for me and my family. “It’s crazy to think I have that many caps. When I first came into the squad I never thought I’d reach a total like that . It’s been brilliant and everyone has always been unbelievable with me from the start of my international career.” At club level Ferguson has enjoyed his first season with League One outfit Rotherham, who are pushing for promotion to the Championship and have already booked a trip to Wembley to face Sutton United in the Papa John’s (EFL) Trophy final on 3 April . He said: “I’m really enjoying the season. When I first signed for Rotherham I spoke to the manager and he said I’d play plenty of games. “I’ve been able to do that and it’s exactly what I needed. We’ve been doing well this season, climbing to the top of the table and getting to Wembley as well . “Hopefully now we can finish the season strong in terms of promotion and winning the cup at Wembley. “I’ve been playing left wing-back all season. I’ve played the position before at previous clubs so I have really enjoyed it . I’ve really enjoyed my football this season.” Ferguson has fond memories of recent games against tonight’s opponents. Anyone who was in Budapest or watching at home will never forget the famous comeback in 2014

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DID YOU KNOW?

WORDS: MARSHALL GILLESPIE

Michael O’Neill gave Dungannon- born Liam Donnelly his first senior cap as a substitute in a friendly international with Chile on 5 June 2014. However, the Motherwell player did not make a second appearance for the senior side until the 5 September 2019 friendly victory over Luxembourg - a gap of five years and 92 days!

This evening’s encounter with Hungary will be Northern Ireland’s 58th home friendly fixture in their history. Of the previous 57 matches, 19 of them have ended in victory, seven of which have come in the last nine matches, 15 in draws and 23 in defeat .

Of the original 25 players named in Ian Baraclough’s squad for tonight’s friendly encounter with Hungary, no fewer than seven of them have made at least one appearance in the Irish League. They are:

Gavin Whyte (Crusaders) 162 appearances, 50 goals) Stuart Dallas (Crusaders) 93 apps, 27 goals) Shayne Lavery (Linfield) 77 apps, 47 goals)

Trai Hume (Linfield) 31 apps, 3 goals; (Ballymena United) 37 apps, 6 goals Niall McGinn (Dungannon Swifts) 4 apps, 4 goals Liam Donnelly (Dungannon Swifts) 7 apps, 0 goals Caolan Boyd-Munce (Glentoran) 1 app, 0 goals)

In the last World Cup qualifying campaign Ian Baraclough used a total of 28 players in Northern Ireland’s eight group games. Only three of those players played every single minute of the qualifying series. They were goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell , who kept four clean sheets as well , Craig Cathcart and skipper Steven Davis.

If Paddy Lane makes his senior debut during this international window he will become the first player from Fleetwood Town to play for Northern Ireland since Conor McLaughlin in June 2017 when he won his 26th cap in the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku.

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All information was correct prior to the friendly against Luxembourg on Friday

Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough has used a total of 32 players in his 20 internationals in charge and given debuts to seven players, four of whom are in tonight’s panel to face Hungary. The full list is: Daniel Ballard (04.09.2020) v Romania - UEFA Nations League Ali McCann (15.11.2020) v Austria - Nations League Matty Kennedy (18.11.2020) v Romania - Nations League Dion Charles (28.03.2021) v USA - Friendly Conor Bradley (30.05.2021) v Malta - Friendly Sam McClelland (03.06.2021) v Ukraine - Friendly Dale Taylor (12.11.2021) v Lithuania - FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Northern Ireland have played Hungary on six previous occasions, the last being the Euro 2016 qualifier in Belfast when a dramatic injury time goal by Kyle Lafferty secured Michael O’Neill’s side a point . The full list of games are: 19 Oct 1988 (WCQ) – Budapest – lost 0-1 06 Sep 1989 (WCQ) – Belfast – lost 1-2 (Norman Whiteside 89’ ) 26 Apr 2000 (Fr) – Belfast – lost 0-1 19 Nov 2008 (Fr) – Belfast – lost 0-2 07 Sep 2014 – Budapest – won 2-1 (Niall McGinn 81’, Kyle Lafferty 88’ ) 07 Sep 2015 – Belfast – drew 1-1 (Kyle Lafferty 90+3’ )

Tonight will be Northern Ireland’s 261st full international match at Windsor Park since the

inaugural game took place at the stadium on 19 March 1910. That day Ireland defeated Scotland in a British Championship match in front of 17,000 spectators with Cliftonville’s Frank Thompson scoring the only goal of the game. Northern Ireland’s full international record at the stadium is: P W D L F A 260 97 61 102 323 358

A total of 38 players have scored for Northern Ireland when coming on as a substitute in a full international match. The first player to do so was Billy Johnston who found the net 26 minutes after being introduced in a friendly clash with Mexico in Belfast which ended in a 4-1 victory for the home side (June 1966) . The last substitute to score was Shane Ferguson who celebrated winning his 50th cap in style when he hit a ‘worldie’ in what was the only goal of the game in Estonia last September. The Northern Ireland player with the most goals as a substitute is Josh Magennis with exactly half of his eight international goals being scored when coming off the bench.

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All information was correct prior to the friendly against Luxembourg on Friday

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SCOUTING REPORT LOWDOWN Placed in Group F with France, Germany and Portugal at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020, Hungary were unlucky not to progress out of the so-called ‘Group of Death’. Leading 2-1 against Germany in Munich with just six minutes remaining of their final group game on 23 June 2021, Marco Rossi’s team were on course to reach the knockout phase of a major tournament for just the second time since 1966. A late equaliser from Germany substitute Leon Goretzka broke Hungarian hearts though and the Mag yars exited the competition having lost 3-0 to Portugal in their tournament opener and drawn 1-1 with France. Hungary missed out on qualification for this winter’s FIFA World Cup, finishing fourth in UEFA Qualifying Group I. They ended the campaign just three points behind group runners-up Poland, who they beat 2-1 in Warsaw in their final qualifying match. TACTICS Soon after his appointment as manager in 2018, Italian manager Marco Rossi outlined his playing philosophy for the Hungarian national team. “I’m not a big fan of us biding our time, I want us to be aggressive,” he said. While Hungary look to play a possession-based game overall , Rossi’s willingness for his side to transition quickly into attack means they will play more directly if the opportunity presents itself. SC Freiburg forward Roland Sallai is a willing runner in behind opposition defences, as he demonstrated when he sprinted on to a wonderful pass from Attila Fiola – which was played from deep within Hungary’s half – to score in the 3-3 draw with Poland in March 2021.

Andy Greeves takes a closer look at Hungary ahead of this evening’s international challenge match at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

Hungary typically line up in a 3-5-2 formation, which appears more like a 5-3-2 when defending and shapes up similar to a 3-4-3 when on the attack. With goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi comfortable with the ball at his feet , the Mag yars look to play out from the back, with one of their centre-backs often carrying the ball forward to pass or hit a long ball . As you would expect from a team playing in a 5-3-2 formation, Hungary’s wing-backs are tasked with getting forward to support attacks wherever possible. The use of their wing-backs in their forward moves means many of their goalscoring opportunities are fashioned from crosses. STRENGTHS When quizzed on his approach after his appointment in 2018, Rossi said: “We want to force the opponents to make mistakes in their own half while building our attack from the back, taking calculated risks. We aim to be brave, run a lot and press the opposition.” Hungary demonstrated their ability to press their opponents at UEFA Euro 2020, winning the eighth- most tackles of any team at the tournament . They came close to making it to the knockout phases despite having the lowest possession rate (34.7%) of any team in the tournament , proving their counter-attacking merits. Dominik Szoboszlai, who missed UEFA Euro 2020 through injury, is Hungary’s main creator. He is often given a free role in midfield to help link the team’s attacking moves. Captain Ádám Szalai is excellent at holding up the ball and bringing willing runners, such as the aforementioned Roland Sallai, into the game. He also has a decent international scoring record with 25 strikes in 78 appearances for Hungary to date.

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A MIRACLE AMONG MEMORABLE MEMORIES

KYLE L AFFERT Y WHEELS AWAY TO CELEBRATE AF TER HI T T ING THE BACK OF THE NE T AGAINST HUNGARY IN 2015.

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However, high up in my pantheon of memorable moments stands a match against Hungary. It’s September 2015. Northern Ireland and Hungary are disputing the qualification places for the Euro 2016 finals. Defeat for the Mag yars and the chance of direct qualification is all but gone. You will remember the game. The National Stadium is under renovation. Teams are accommodated in portacabins in the North East corner. No fans in the West Stand as it had been compromised earlier in the year and the stump of the stand only stood empty. That was the match in which Hungary scored and Chris Baird received two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving us with only 10 players. The miracle came in the 95th minute. A Steven Davis corner, a Niall McGinn shot parried by the bagg y training pants-wearing keeper but only to the in-form Kyle Lafferty and oh the relief, oh the noise, as his shot hit the back of the net . Cue pandemonium. Grown men danced with other grown men, stranger embraced stranger. It is for such moments that we all love this game. You move from despair to ecstasy, from depression to delirium in the kick of a ball , the parry of a goalkeeper, the beep of a referee’s whistle. Like a Belfast summer’s day which can reflect all of the seasons in an hour, a football match can plumb the depths and hit the heights in an instance. To complete my perfect match all we need is an article in the match programme by the peerless Malcolm Brodie drooling over the great Hungary side of the 1950s led by Ferenc Puskas. Now there was a player… and a writer. We are the poorer for their demise but joyful

One of them is the beach at Downhill as the Atlantic waves crash in, looking up at the mysterious wonder that is the Mussenden Temple perched precariously at the edge of the cliff. What wonderful , frenetic or complicated mind thought that that was a perfect place for the library? Inspired. Or at the top of the Cavehill , on Napoleon’s Nose, where Henry Joy McCracken trod, looking down over the city of Belfast , across the lough, into the heart of County Down to the spectre of the shadow of the Mournes in the distance, the single finger of Scrabo Tower pointing heavenward. Then there’s the simple pleasures of a slice of Veda, toasted and drowned in real butter, or lying in your bed, eyes closed and the opening notes of Van Morrison’s ‘Moondance’ or ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ starting up, just taking a deep breath and enjoying the experience. I have always believed that football provides similar cathartic experiences. I think of the mercurial George Best , all long hair and shirt out of the shorts, challenging the great Gordon Banks, having the skill , technique and audacity to clip the ball out of the air when Banks had thrown it up to kick, following it up to head into the Railway End goal , only to be foiled by a scared and bewildered Scottish referee. In all my years of following the wee team in green it is as if the words of Dickens have come true – they have indeed been the ‘best of times and the worst of times’. There are places I visit from time to time that I believe provide an insight into the soul and spirit of Northern Ireland.

they can be remembered and enjoyed. Remember: one deep breath and let the excitement begin!

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THE COACH: HUNGARY

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

Italian Marco Rossi has been in the Hungary hotseat since succeeding Belgian George Leekens in June 2018.

Rossi’s coaching career began in his native Italy with Lombardy-based club AC Lumezzane. He had spells with Pro Patria Calcio, Spezia Calcio, Scafatese and Cavese before taking the reins at Hungarian team Honved. After leading the club to an impressive third- place finish in his first season, Rossi resigned the following April , only to return for a second stint in charge the following February. It was during that second spell that Rossi enhanced his reputation by guiding Honved to a top flight title triumph, their first in 24 years, thanks to a final day victory over second- placed Videoton. Rossi resigned in the wake of that championship success, claiming he had “built something that ended so beautifully”. His next stop was a one-season spell with Slovakian club Dunajska Streda, who finished third in the country’s top flight under Rossi, their highest finish in five seasons. Rossi then took over a Hungary side who had not won any of their previous four games, and his first game in charge was a 1-0 defeat to Finland in the UEFA Nations League in September 2018. However, Rossi’s side won all three home games in that Nations League campaign to seal a berth in the Euro 2020 qualification play-offs. A 3-1 victory over Bulgaria in the semi-finals saw Hungary advance to a win-and-in match against Iceland in Budapest . Rossi tested positive for coronavirus on the eve of the decisive contest , meaning he watched on from home as Hungary scored twice in the final moments to secure their spot in the tournament .

Hungary were handed a nightmare draw, being grouped with previous winners Portugal , France and Germany, but Rossi’s side drew plaudits for their performances, despite falling at the first hurdle. Portugal needed three late goals to win in Budapest , while both France and Germany had to come from behind to get draws. Hungary were unable to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, but came into this international window on a three-game unbeaten run, which started with a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley. • Rossi was a defender and featured for Torino, Brescia, Sampdoria and Eintracht Frankfurt during a career that lasted from 1983 to 2000. • He spent two seasons in Mexico with Club America, playing under ex-Leeds United manager Marco Bielsa. Rossi cites Bielsa as a major influence. • Due to a curious bug Rossi was rated as the best player in the world on the videogame FIFA 97. His 97 overall rating was higher than Jari Litmanen and George Weah. • Prior to this window, Rossi had managed 476 games, emerging victorious 195 times to give him a win percentage of 40.97.

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THE SQUAD: HUNGARY

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

PETER GULACSI GOALKEEPER RB LEIPZIG AGE 31 CAPS 46 GOALS 0 A name that may be familiar to Liverpool fans, Gulacsi moved to Anfield as a teenager and though he never made a senior appearance for the Reds he had loan spells with Hereford, Tranmere and Hull. Gulacsi is the captain of Leipzig and won his first international cap in 2014. ADAM LANG DEFENDER OMONIA AGE 29 CAPS 45 GOALS 1 Experienced central defender who has played club football in Hungary, France, Romania and currently Cyprus. Scored an own goal against PSG on his debut for Dijon. Lang made his senior Hungary debut in 2014 and scored his solitary goal so far in a 4-0 win over Andorra in 2016. ATTILA SZALAI DEFENDER FENERBAHCE AGE 24 CAPS 23 GOALS 0 Szalai started his club career in Austria with Rapid Wien and later played in Hungary and Cyprus before joining Fenerbahce in January 2021. A Hungarian international at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level, he made his senior bow in a friendly against Uruguay in November 2019. Played in 15 games for his country in 2021.

LOIC NEGO DEFENDER FEHERVAR AGE 31 CAPS 18 GOALS 2 Right-back who was born in Paris and frequently appeared for France at various youth levels. Now in his seventh season with Hungarian top flight outfit Fehervar, Nego won his first cap in 2020 and scored in the qualification play-offs for Euro 2020. His list of former clubs includes Nantes, Roma and Charlton Athletic. ATTILA FIOLA DEFENDER FEHERVAR AGE 32 CAPS 42 GOALS 2 Fiola is a right back who has spent his entire career in his native Hungary. Won his only top flight title with current club Fehervar in 2017-18. Has been booked at least 10 times in the league in each of the past two seasons. Both of his international goals were scored in the previous calendar year. DENES DIBUSZ GOALKEEPER FERENCVAROS AGE 31 CAPS 19 GOALS 0 Currently in his ninth season with Ferencvaros, Dibusz has won four league titles and three Hungarian Cups with his club. He played against Barcelona and Juventus in last season’s Champions League. Made his Hungary debut in 2014 and started half of his country’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

PETER SZAPPANOS GOALKEEPER HONVED AGE 31 CAPS 0 GOALS 0

Came into this international window without a cap to his name. Szappanos plays his club football for Budapest-based Honved, having moved there before the start of the season. He won his first call-up to the Hungary senior squad back in November and was an unused substitute against Poland and San Marino.

WILLI ORBAN DEFENDER RB LEIPZIG

AGE 29 CAPS 28 GOALS 5 Club team-mate of Gulacsi who was born in Germany and represented Die Mannschaft at youth level, but chose to play senior internationals for Hungary, for whom he qualifies through his father. Made his Hungary debut in 2018 and scored at least one goal in each of the next four years.

ENDRE BOTKA DEFENDER FERENCVAROS

AGE 27 CAPS 17 GOALS 1 Botka has spent his entire career in Hungary and has won the past three league titles with Ferencvaros, for whom he is a regular. Represented his country at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level before winning his first senior call-up for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Romania and Northern Ireland in September 2015.

ZSOLT NAGY DEFENDER PUSKAS AKADEMIA AGE 28 CAPS 5 GOALS 0

AKOS KECSKES DEFENDER NIZHNY NOVGOROD

BENDEGUZ BOLLA DEFENDER GRASSHOPPERS

AGE 26 CAPS 4 GOALS 0 Kecskes started his club

AGE 22 CAPS 4 GOALS 0 Right-back Bolla joined

Nagy was part of the Puskas Akademia team that finished runners-up in the Hungarian top flight last season. He won his first cap off the bench in a friendly against Uruguay in November 2019. Started three of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, playing as a left wing-back in the 1-1 draw with England at Wembley.

career in his native Hungary before moving to Poland and Switzerland, later joining Russian club Nizhny Novgorod in July 2021. He represented his country at various youth levels but did not win his first senior cap until 2020, when he played the full game in a 1-1 draw with Serbia.

Premier League side Wolves in July 2021 and was immediately sent out on a season-long loan to Swiss Super League side Grasshoppers. Bolla played in the Europa League with previous club Fehervar and was included in the Hungary squad for Euro 2020 last summer.

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ADAM NAGY MIDFIELD PISA

DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI MIDFIELD RB LEIPZIG

ANDRAS SCHAFER MIDFIELD UNION BERLIN AGE 22 CAPS 15 GOALS 3 Recently moved to Bundesliga club Union Berlin after spells in Slovakia, Italy and Hungary. Schafer made his Union debut off the bench in a 3-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund. Started all three of his country’s games at Euro 2020, scoring in the 2-2 draw with Germany in Munich.

DANIEL GAZDAG MIDFIELD PHILADELPHIA UNION AGE 26 CAPS 11 GOALS 3 Gazdag plays his club football in September 2015. Spent three seasons with Bologna earlier in his career and was at Championship club Bristol City in the previous two campaigns. in MLS with Philadelphia Union after moving from Hungarian side Honved in May 2021. Gazdag came through the ranks at Honved and played 175 league games for his boyhood club. All three of his Hungary goals came during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. AGE 26 CAPS 57 GOALS 1 Nagy is returning to the venue where he won his first international cap, having debuted as a first-half substitute in Hungary’s 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland AGE 22 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 Born in Bury, Styles has received his first call-up for Hungary, for whom he qualifies through his grandparents. Came through the academy at Burnley but was released at 16 and made his senior breakthrough with hometown club Bury. Signed for Barnsley in 2018 and has been a regular in the Championship this term AGE 25 CAPS 13 GOALS 1 Varga, whose parent club is Turkish side Kasimpasa, moved on loan to Young Boys last month. He initially broke through in his native Hungary with Debrecen. Previously a Hungary U21 international, Varga made his senior debut in a friendly against Australia in 2018. His first senior goal came against Turkey in November 2020. CALLUM STYLES MIDFIELD BARNSLEY KEVIN VARGA FORWARD YOUNG BOYS

BALINT VECSEI MIDFIELD FERENCVAROS AGE 28 CAPS 6 GOALS 1 Now playing back in Hungary, Vecsei broke through at Honved and then joined Serie A side Bologna, who sent him out on loan spells to Lecce and Lugano. Represented his country at Under-19 and Under-21 level before making his senior debut in 2014. Came back into the national team during the recent World Cup qualifiers. ADAM SZALAI FORWARD BASEL AGE 34 CAPS 78 GOALS 25 Hungary’s captain and the most experienced member of this squad, Szalai debuted for the senior side back in February 2009 and has appeared for his country at two European Championships, scoring in both tournaments. Has spent the majority of his career in the Bundesliga, but recently joined Swiss top flight side Basel. AGE 21 CAPS 18 GOALS 5 Considered one of the most promising young players in Europe, Szoboszlai scored in the Champions League as a teenager for Red Bull Salzburg. Became the most expensive Hungarian player ever when he joined Leipzig. Szoboszlai scored the goal that secured Hungary’s passage to Euro 2020, but missed the tournament through injury.

PETER BARATH MIDFIELD DEBRECEN

AGE 20 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 Barath has been called up to the senior side for the first time after previously featuring for his nation’s Under-17s and Under-21s. A regular for Debrecen at club level, he scored five times last year as his team won the second division title and earned promotion to the top. ROLAND SALLAI FORWARD SC FREIBURG AGE 24 CAPS 30 GOALS 5 Sallai plays in the Bundesliga with Freiburg and last season he scored eight goals in the division. Prior to this international window, his most recent international goal was a penalty at Wembley in the 1-1 draw with England last October. Played for Hungary at Under-17, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level.

SZABOLCS SCHON FORWARD FC DALLAS AGE 21 CAPS 8 GOALS 0

MARTIN ADAM FORWARD PAKSI AGE 27 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 Though Adam has only represented Hungary at

Winger Schon joined Dallas in 2021 from MTK Budapest having previously played for Ajax’s youth team. Previously an Under-17 and Under-19 international, he made his senior debut against the Republic of Ireland in June 2021 and came on as a substitute in two of the three matches at Euro 2020.

Under-21 level before, he has been called up to the senior squad having scored a glut of goals in the Hungarian top flight. He had managed to net 23 times in his 24 games, 11 more than any other player in the division, before the most recent round of fixtures.

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WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

FACT FILE: HUNGARY

• The 1930s were the start of a memorable period in Hungary’s footballing history. • Having reached the quarter-finals at their first World Cup in 1934, Hungary went all the way to the final in France four years later. They were beaten 4-2 by Italy in Paris. • Hungary were seen as pioneers in the 1950s when their ‘Golden Team’ revolutionised the way the sport was played. • Between 1950 and 1956 Hungary played 69 games, winning 58 of them and suffering only one defeat . That team is credited with initially introducing ‘ Total Football’, and placing significance on tactics, training and fitness, as they operated in a 3-2-3-2 formation. • Inspired by Ferenc Puskas, Hungary won the 1952 Olympics and then went and beat England 6-3 in front of 105,000 fans at Wembley in ‘ The Match of the Century’. A year later Hungary beat England 7-1 in Budapest , with Puskas scoring twice. It remains England’s heaviest defeat . • Unsurprisingly, Hungary were considered hot favourites to win the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, and expectation only grew when they thrashed South Korea 9-0 and West Germany 8-3 in the group stage. However, after knocking out Brazil and Uruguay, Hungary were stunned by West Germany in the final . • The 1954 World Cup final was known as the ‘Miracle of Bern’ as the West Germans fought back from two goals down to win 3-2. • Hungary qualified for the next three World Cups but failed to make it past the quarter- final stage. Their last appearance at a World Cup finals came back in 1986. • They did manage to win another two Olympic gold medals (1964 and 1968) while also winning a silver medal (1972) and bronze (1960) across four successive tournaments. • After reaching the semi-finals at the 1964 and 1972 European Championships, Hungary next qualified for that tournament in 2016, winning a play-off against Norway and then qualifying top out of a group that included Portugal and Iceland.

INTERNATIONAL • With three Olympic gold medals and two World Cup final appearances, Hungary have an impressive history on the international stage. • Hungary have played Northern Ireland on six occasions, winning the first four of those fixtures. The most recent meetings between the two countries came during the Euro 2016 qualifiers. • It was in Budapest in September 2014 when Michael O’Neill’s side kickstarted a memorable campaign as Northern Ireland came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Niall McGinn and Kyle Lafferty in the final nine minutes. • A win in the reverse fixture in Belfast would have seen Northern Ireland qualify for the finals. However, the Green and White Army had to wait a little longer to celebrate that achievement as Lafferty’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw following Chris Baird’s red card. • Prior to that Hungary had beaten teams Hungarians also emerged victorious in both of the qualifiers for the 1990 World Cup, but they failed to make it out of the group. • Hungary’s first recognised international was a 5-0 defeat to Austria, while their maiden competition was the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. A 7-0 defeat to Great Britain saw Hungary eliminated, but a record 12-0 victory over Russia later that summer hinted at brighter times ahead. • One of their first ever managers was Alfred Hajos, who had previously won two gold medals at the first ever Olympics in 1896 in Athens. Hajos played in Hungary’s first ever international , later coached the team, served as a referee, and went on to become an architect of sports facilities. managed by Sammy McIlroy and Nigel Worthington in Belfast friendlies. The

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• They were beaten by Belgium 4-0 in the round of 16 in France. • It was via the play-offs that Hungary reached Euro 2020 as well , though they failed to make it out of a difficult group that featured France, Germany and Portugal . • Puskas, who played for Real Madrid, is the country’s all-time leading scorer with 84 goals in 85 internationals. FIFA’s Puskas Award - given to the ‘most beautiful goal’ scored over the year - is named in his honour. The national team also play at the Puskas Arena. • Goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who played for Crystal Palace and was renowned for wearing grey tracksuit bottoms during games, is Hungary’s most-capped international having appeared in 108 games for his country.

DOMESTIC • The Nemzeti Bajnoksag I, which translates as ‘the National Championship’, is the top f light in the Hungarian league system. • It was founded in 1901 and features 12 teams, who play each other three times a season. • The league champions enter the qualification process for the Champions League while the second- and third-placed teams, along with the winner of the Hungarian Cup, enter the Europa League. Two clubs are relegated from the division each season. • Many of Hungary’s great players from their golden era left their mark on the league, including legendary striker Puskas, who scored a staggering 357 goals in 354 appearances for Honved between 1943 and 1956 before joining Real Madrid. • The competition’s most successful club are Budapest-based Ferencvaros, who have won 32 titles, nine more than cross-city rivals MTK Budapest . Ferencvaros, known as the Green Eagles, have won the past three titles and came into this international window with a seven-point lead at the top. • Ferencvaros also have a European trophy in their cabinet . In the 1964-65 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup they beat Juventus in Turin in the final , having knocked out Manchester United, Athletic Bilbao and Roma along the way. • They reached the final in 1968 as well but lost to Don Revie’s Leeds United across two legs. • The Budapest club knocked out Celtic and reached the UEFA Champions League group stage last season. They were pitted in a group with Juventus, Barcelona and Dynamo Kyiv, and took one point from their six games.

PICTURE COURTESY OF UEFA .COM

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CIARON BROWN KEEN TO KICK ON

Ciaron Brown vividly recalls the sense of trepidation and awe that preceded his shock Northern Ireland debut in a 1-0 friendly win over Luxembourg in 2019.

SQUAD NO: 5 \ NI APP: 7 CLUBS: BEDFONT SPORTS (34) WEALDSTONE (48)

CARDIFF CI T Y (17) LIVINGSTON (LOAN) (31) OXFORD UNI TED (LOAN) (6)

PLACE OF BIRTH: HILLINGDON HEIGHT: 183CM WEIGHT: 76KG

DATE OF BIRTH: 14-01-1998

POSITION: DEFENDER

WORDS: Darren Fullerton Daily Mirror

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KEEN TO KICK ON

who was eager to swap shirts with the defender following their ding-dong tussle during the friendly in Dnipro last June. “I’ve always prided myself on trying to rise to the level I’m playing against and the likes of Shaqiri, Pulisic and Yarmolenko are the types of player I want to test myself against ,” he said. “I always feel it gets the best out of me.” Following November’s home win over Lithuania and scoreless draw with Italy in Belfast , Brown is keen to secure another positive result on home soil ahead of the UEFA Nations League kicking off in a few months’ time. Ian Baraclough’s team, who are the top seeds in Group 2 in League C of the 2022-23 competition, are set to play Greece at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Thursday 2 June. Northern Ireland’s second game in the group stage of the third edition of UEFA’s Nations League will see them take on Cyprus or Estonia away on Sunday 5 June. Matchday three for Northern Ireland sees them on the road again – away to Kosovo on Thursday 9 June. And a busy schedule that month will draw to a close with a home match against Cyprus or Estonia on Sunday the 12th. “We have a close-knit group and we all feel we are heading in the right direction and we all have that drive and desire to improve,” said Brown. “This is an important camp because it’s the last one we’ ll have before the Nations League and we want to keep moving forward as a team.”

Originally called up for the U21s, who were managed by Ian Baraclough at the time, the London-born defender mouthed a ‘wow’ when named in Michael O’Neill’s starting line-up. “It’s a special memory,” said Brown, who falls into a rare football demographic of footballers who made their senior international debut ahead of playing for the U21s. The centre back, who is currently on loan at Oxford United from Cardiff City, would go on to make his Northern Ireland U21s bow in a Euro qualifying defeat to Romania the following month. “I had actually just received my first call-up for the U21s so a senior debut wasn’t even in my thoughts,” he said. “I’d played in a training game against the senior lads earlier in the week and when I went back to the U21s’ hotel Ian said ‘pack your stuff, you’re going up to the seniors’. “I trained for a few days with the seniors and thought that was that , but then in the meeting room Michael named the team and he called out my name. I was like ‘wow’. “I was shocked, but as soon as I started playing all the nerves went . It was only really after the game that it really sank in that I’d made my debut . It was a real confidence boost .” Fast forward to the first international window of 2022 and Brown has seven caps to his name, including recent appearances in home and away World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland. “I think I’ve done well when I look at where I’ve come from to where I am now,” he said. “Playing against Switzerland was a great experience and it made me want to really kick on and cement my place in the squad and maybe secure a bigger role in it .” A quick check of his CV shows that Brown, who recently turned 24, has already come up against the likes of Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri, Chelsea and USA forward Christian Pulisic and West Ham United and Ukraine striker Andriy Yarmolenko,

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