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Newcastle United star Alexander Isak starred for Sweden in their 5-1 win over Northern Ireland.
Jon Dahl Tomasson has hailed Alexander Isak’s loyalty after he played 90 minutes for Sweden in their 5-1 friendly victory over Northern Ireland last night.
Sweden emphatically bounced back from last week’s surprise 1-0 defeat to Luxembourg and Isak played an influential role by grabbing a goal and an assist.
The Newcastle United star danced his way across the edge of the box and shaped to shoot several times before finding Emil Holm in space to the open the scoring. Midway through the second-half, Isak then got on the scoresheet himself after finding the bottom corner from distance.
Alexander Isak plays 90 minutes for Sweden
That made it 4-0, giving Tomasson the opportunity to withdraw Isak with the game won. However, the Sweden boss opted to leave the 25-year-old on the field.
“I always want him to play every minute there is,” Tomasson explained to Fotbollskanalen. “I took him off after 60 minutes in Luxembourg. Then I thought a little about the next match. But he is so loyal and has such a strong desire to want to play for Sweden. That's why I made him captain last time.
“He is taking more and more responsibility. It's very good. It's a new role for him but he takes that responsibility. He won the cup with Newcastle and the next day he is at our training in Marbella.”
Isak too expressed his willingness to remain on the pitch. With still over a week until his next game when Newcastle host Brentford in the Premier League, the 25-year-old admits he has plenty of time to recover.
“I wanted to score,” Isak added. “It came a little late. Up until the goal I didn't think about coming off. After that it was a pretty comfortable match so it didn't feel that dangerous to play.
“I've come here and then you want to play, otherwise it's unnecessary. But Jon didn't want to substitute me and I felt like playing. Then it's almost two weeks until our next match, so there's plenty of time for recovery.”
Alexander Isak returning to Tyneside for Carabao Cup celebrations
But before the Magpies take on Brentford, Isak and his teammates will appear on the Town Moor this Saturday to celebrate winning the Carabao Cup. Tens of thousands are supporters are expected to be in attendance.
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Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final at Wembley on March 16, with Isak scoring the winning goal. It is the club’s first trophy since 1969 and the first domestic trophy in 70 years.
You cannot describe it, almost every fan I looked up at in Wembley was crying,” Isak said.“There were so many emotions in my head, it was almost surreal. The best day of my life? From a football perspective I think so.
“The party was incredible – although not too long for me as I was leaving in the morning – and I can’t wait to see what Newcastle is like as a city after that.”
YOUR NEXT READ: I would not be surprised if this Newcastle United & Liverpool swap deal happens - he'd be a really good fit.