Alexander Isak quizzed on knocking back hat-trick opportunity

2 months ago 25

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Alexander Isak making headlines on Thursday.

A Nations League match away at Azerbaijan, the first group match for Sweden.

The deadlock broken on 65 minutes, when Viktor Gyokeres got the assist as Alexander Isak headed home.

Six minutes later more of the same, another assist for Gyokeres another goal for the Newcastle United striker.

Then with ten minutes left on the clock, Alexander Isak wins a penalty and set for his first ever hat-trick for the national side.

However, instead it was Viktor Gyokeres who took the 80th minute spot-kick to put Sweden 3-0 up and make the game safe, the home side getting a consolation goal late on.

Alexander Isak has been quizzed by the Swedish media after knocking back that chance to make it a first ever international hat-trick:

“He (Viktor Gyokeres) is also a striker.

“He also wants to score goals.

“Not a big deal for me.

“Of course you would like a hat-trick and I haven’t yet got one for the national team.

“It would have been fun but I’m not worried.

“It will come.”

Great to hear this kind of attitude from Alexander Isak.

Not only a great player but also a great character.

Viktor Gyokeres had set up his two goals, so you can understand to an extent that Alexander Isak was just doing the right thing, returning the favour.

However, you would have thought that Gyokeres might have turned around and insisted Isak took his opportunity to take the match ball home.

Bizarrely, I have seen some criticism by a minority of Newcastle United fans about Alexander Isak in these early NUFC games.

Yes, the winner against Spurs was his first goal of the season, but I think overall Alexander Isak has been excellent. So much unselfish play, which kind of fits in with this turning down a hat-trick opportunity.

The opening game of the season was such a tough and lonely role against Southampton, playing as a striker in a 10 man team is no fun. Despite that he put in a great shift and set up Joelinton for the winner.

Another hard working display at Bournemouth to help United to a valuable point.

At Forest it was Isak’s shot the keeper couldn’t hold for then Willock to score the rebound on 18 seconds, Alexander Isak also having the bottle to take and score one of the shootout penalties.

Before then on Sunday, hitting the woodwork and later scoring the winner.

I have no doubts the goals will really start flowing again for Alexander Isak as the NUFC team line-up and performances get ever stronger.

This is the September 2024 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Friday 6 September

France v Italy (Sandro Tonali) Nations League

Uruguay v Paraguay (Miguel Almiron) World Cup group qualifier (UK time, kick-off early hours of Saturday)

Brazil v Equador (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group qualifier (UK time, kick-off early hours of Saturday)

Northern Ireland U21s v England U21s (Lewis Hall) U21 Euros group qualifier

Republic of Ireland U21s v Turkey U21s (Alex Murphy) U21 Euros group qualifier

Iceland U21s v Denmark U21s (Will Osula) U21s Euros group qualifier

Saturday 7 September

Republic of Ireland v England (Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Anthony Gordon) Nations League