Northern Ireland v Korea Republic

Words Mark McIntosh, The Sun

DALLAS FIRMLY BELIEVES INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES ARE ESSENTIAL

Stuart Dallas believes there is a lot to be excited about right now for both the Northern Ireland players and the supporters.

a controversial penalty that should never have been given is gut-wrenching. “We were all extremely upset after the game in Basel in November but we know it’s pointless to keep going back to it. The onus is now on us to make sure it’s an added incentive for us to go one better. “The Nations League will be something new for everyone later this year and, of course, the Euro qualifiers begin in a year’s time but before then we have some vital friendlies.” The midfielder points out the challenge games will give Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill a chance to look at some younger players and some new players.

The World Cup play-off heartache is now a thing of the past but will be used as extra motivation ahead of the UEFA Nations League and Euro 2020 qualifiers – not that they’ll need any extra incentives to make it to another major tournament. The squad met up this week for the first time since that narrow two-legged defeat to Switzerland and Dallas is looking forward to the game against South Korea, although he is likely to be sitting in the stands as a spectator after picking up an injury in training. “Everyone knows the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup,” said the Leeds United man. “To lose by just a goal over two legs would have been bad enough but for us to miss out because of

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