International Friendlies 3/6/2021
International Friendlies 3/6/2021. Six international friendlies today. Northern Ireland is in action tonight. At 19:45, on Sky Sports Main Event, is Ukraine v Northern Ireland.
International Friendlies 3/6/2021 – Ukraine v Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough says his side face a “step up in level” when they play Ukraine in the second game of their two-match tour in Dnipro.
Baraclough’s side beat Malta 3-0 in their friendly in Austria on Sunday but the Euro 2020-bound Ukranians are set to provide a sterner test on Thursday.
“We came here with objectives and at the very top of those was to win the two games,” said Baraclough.
“We are half way there and we aim to go out and win again,” added the NI boss.
Because of the easing of Covid restrictions in Ukraine, 15,000 fans will be able to attend the match at the Dnipro Arena.
Baraclough welcomes Daniel Ballard back into the squad after the defender helped Blackpool to a 2-1 win over Lincoln City in the League One play-off final on Sunday.
Striker Kyle Lafferty has also travelled to Ukraine after missing the win over Malta and both are available for selection.
“Credit to them, they both wanted to be here, even it is only going to be for a few days,” enthused the NI manager.
“It would have been easy for them to say ‘we’ve had a tough season, we want to stay at home’.
“That shows me that there’s a great spirit and great togetherness among this group.”
World Cup / Other Games
