Hughes remains optimistic

Captain eyes another shock in Stockholm

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 15th October 2007

Fulham 800x600 AHughes

Hughes: Hopeful

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Northern Ireland skipper Aaron Hughes insists his side still have a chance of qualifying for Euro 2008.

Two defeats to Latvia and Iceland have seriously damaged Northern Ireland's hopes of reaching next summer's finals in Austria & Switzerland.

Northern Ireland travel to Group F leaders Sweden on Wednesday hoping to get their campaign back on track , while victory for the hosts will secure qualification.

The Irish beat Sweden at Windsor Park and Hughes believes they can cause another upset in Stockholm.

Upsets

"We have caused upsets before, so why not again?" said Hughes

"When things are against us that is when we are at our best. There is no

pressure on us, it is all on Sweden.

"We can go out and just play. We are still in it, we are not out of it despite

what some people are saying, although we are going to have to do it the hard

way.

"Maybe two victories and a draw will be good enough to see us qualify.

"Sweden know a win will guarantee them to go through. That is the carrot for

them. But we want to keep ourselves in contention.

"Our success the past two or three years has been to concentrate on things we

do best and stop the opposition playing."

Hughes is looking to David Healy to inspire Northern Ireland to another shock victory, with the Fulham striker scoring both goals in the win over Sweden in Belfast.

Few chances
"David only had a few chances in that game and he put two of them in the back of net," continued Hughes.

"That's the key at this level - to take your chances when you have them.

"To have someone like him to do what he does is one of the big reasons why we have done so well.

"He is always a threat. We just have to get the ball to him."