NORTHERN IRELAND touched down in Nuremburg yesterday with manager Bryan Hamilton admitting his men must upset the odds if they are to return with their World Cup qualifying campaign resurrected. Northern Ireland go into tomorrow's group nine clash with the European champions with just a single point after opening their bid for France 98 with a 1-0 home defeat by the Ukraine and a 1-1 draw with Armenia again at Windsor Park.
"One point from two home games was not what we were looking for and it has put the pressure on us to get something against Germany," said Hamilton. "But they are an outstanding side with plenty of experience while we are a young side getting better slowly."
Northern Ireland can take heart from their remarkable record against the Germans. They have won two and drawn two of four encounters against the old West Germany team since a 5-0 drubbing in Cologne in 1977, and home and away victories in the qualifying campaign for the 1984 European Championship finals scuppered German hopes of retaining the title they won four years earlier.
Northern Ireland are the only country to have inflicted a double defeat on the Germans in qualifying, but Hamilton said: "We can't go out there thinking about records. I do think it will perhaps be playing on Germany's mind, though, but they will be looking to redress the situation.
"I must admit that I was very pleased with the draw we got against them in the run up to the European Championships last summer because it showed we can compete with teams of their stature. But it will need something like that again because they showed in Euro 96 just what a quality side they are."
Hamilton is keeping his team plans close to his chest, but lain Dowie could be asked to go it alone up front. Dowie's West Ham team mate Michael Hughes and Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie would be the men likely to provide support from midfield.
Hamilton's cause could be aided by the fact Germany will be missing several of their Euro 96 heroes as sweeper Matthias Sammer, defender Thomas Helmer and midfielders Mario Basler, Dieter Eilts and Christian Ziege are ruled out by injury.
