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Southampton: Davis and Northern Ireland face make or break game

By Daniel Hargraves

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - NOVEMBER 09: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off first leg between Northern Ireland and Switzerland at Windsor Park on November 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - NOVEMBER 09: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off first leg between Northern Ireland and Switzerland at Windsor Park on November 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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Southampton and Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis and his national side are one game away from their first World Cup in over 30 years but have a lot of work to do away in Basel if they are to achieve this landmark.

After the first leg of their World Cup play-off, Northern Ireland find themselves in a rather unfortunate predicament as they find themselves trailing 1-0 on aggregate to Switzerland with the second leg to be played away.

The first leg was decided by an incredible penalty decision that led to an undeserved defeat for Martin O’Neil’s side at Windsor Park and they now need to find two goals and a clean sheet away in Switzerland to reach Russia.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 09: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland and Ricardo Rodriguez of Switzerland during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off first leg between Northern Ireland and Switzerland at Windsor Park on November 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 09: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland and Ricardo Rodriguez of Switzerland during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off first leg between Northern Ireland and Switzerland at Windsor Park on November 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /

The Northern Irish national side has steadily improved of late having qualified for Euro 2016 last summer and reaching the knockout stages of the tournament and they’ve impressed in their qualifying campaign but now the stakes are incredibly high.

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As for Switzerland, they’re a national side who are expected to be appearing at all major tournaments and haven’t missed a World Cup since 2002 so they certainly won’t want to be embarrassed by not going to Russia in the summer, especially after having a 1-0 aggregate lead and playing at home.

For Southampton captain Steven Davis, it could be his last chance to feature at the prestigious tournament, as he will be 38 by the time the 2022 World Cup in Qatar rolls around.

Sunday’s game should make for a decent spectacle as both sides have their own reasons for wanting to be a part of Russia 2018.

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