Sunderland star Trai Hume reflects on 'tough to take' international experience

Sunderland right-back Trai Hume says losing has been "tough to take" with Northern Ireland on international duty.

The former Linfield man made his sixth appearance for his national side in Kazakhstan on Sunday as Northern Ireland lost by a single goal with Hume turning in a good performance.

“I thought we had a lot of the ball, especially in the first-half,” Hume said. “During the game, I thought we controlled the game to our tempo but we seem to just keep on getting punished in the key moments of the game and we can’t seem to punish them. It’s very disappointing.

“I thought they might have only had two or three shots in the game, and they’ve scored from one of them.

“It’s a good strike from their lad but maybe we can do better with it. Then the chances we seem to be getting, we just can’t seem to take at key moments.”

After a breakthrough 2022-23 season, Hume, 21, signed a contract extension at Sunderland earlier this summer, with his deal now running until 2027.

Hume was named the Northern Ireland fans’ player of the match in Kazakhstan as he continues to adapt to international football and to playing for Sunderland in the Championship.

“Definitely, it’s good getting the experience. Even the losses, it will be good going into the future because I don’t like losing,” he added.

“It’s tough to take, especially when it’s in tight games, so hopefully we can keep improving. I thought I did okay myself but obviously we didn’t win the game, so we need to improve.”