Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.25 2021-22

Northern Ireland fight back to win

Northern Ireland Under-17s registered a dramatic 2-1 win against Luxembourg in their Euro
qualifying group match in Israel.
With ten minutes to go, they looked to be down and out, trailing 1-0, however Keri Halliday
found some extra energy and had a hand in both goals as Alfie Wylie’s side produced a stirring
comeback to secure all three points.
Firstly, Halliday delivered a corner for the equaliser and then she won a penalty which was
coolly slotted home. The first goal came on 83 minutes when Mikayla Wildgoose applied the
finishing touch, while Aimee Kerr stroked in the spot kick six minutes later.
The game against Luxembourg was the first of three matches for Northern Ireland in League
B Group 1 of the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship 2022 being staged over the
next week. The aim for Northern Ireland in the mini tournament in Israel is to gain promotion to
League A for QR1 of the 2022-23 edition of the competition and the win against Luxembourg at
Israel’s national team complex at Shefayim was a positive first step in that direction.
Luxembourg started brightly, however Northern Ireland soon began to dominate possession.
The first decent chance fell to the girls in green and white. Wildgoose played a long ball in behind
the Luxembourg defence and Halliday chased it down before beating a player and providing a
cross which a stretching Emily Reid got on the end of, however her effort went just wide of the post.
Sarah Tweedie then had a header saved shortly before Luxembourg went down the other end
and scored against the run of play from the penalty spot on 27 minutes. As Luxembourg winger
Caroline Jorge bore down on goal, Northern Ireland keeper Ellie Scott got down well to save at her
feet, however Jorge then fell over the keeper’s legs and referee Sofik Torosyan bizarrely pointed to
the spot. Luxembourg defender Rachel Kirps slotted in the penalty to make it 1-0.
Northern Ireland continued to press and produced some neat link-up play, however the
Luxembourg defence stood firm. Around the hour mark, Wylie’s side had to withstand some
concerted pressure from their opponents. Scott pushed away a looping long range free kick before
a goal line clearance from Aoibhe O’Neill prevented Luxembourg from increasing their lead. Scott
then produced an incredible save to turn a Jorge drive over the top.
However, Northern Ireland dug deep and kept on the front foot. Naomi McLaughlin dragged
a shot inches wide of the post when well placed. As the game wore on Wylie’s side continued to
exert pressure and they deservedly levelled through Wildgoose’s header from Halliday’s corner.
The penalty was awarded when Halliday was upended inside the area by Luxembourg keeper
Emma Goetz. Kerr was calmness personified as she scored what turned out to be the winner.
Northern Ireland WU17s will now prepare for their second game in League B Group 1, which
is on Sunday against Faroe Islands. It’s also being played at Shefayim with a 10am start (UK time).
Matchday three will see them come up against Israel at the Ramat Gan National Stadium
next Wednesday (16 March) when the kick off time will be 3pm UK time. Israel defeated Faroe
Islands 2-0 in the other group game played.
Northern Ireland: Ellie Scott, Aoibhe O’Neill, Mikayla Wildgoose, Sarah Tweedie, Keri
Halliday, Abi Sweetlove, Aimee Kerr, Rhyleigh Marks (sub Claragh Quigg 79mins), Naomi
McLaughlin, Sophie Gargan (sub Olivia Stubbs 66mins), Emily Reid (sub Rachel McIntyre
78mins). Subs not used: Erin McAllister (GK), Niamh O’Donnell, Niamh Coyle, Megan Neill,
Grace Montgomery, Cerys Madden.
(Irishfa.com)
Wales withdraw from Under-17 tournament
Wales have announced that they are pulling out of their qualifying group for the UEFA Women’s
Under-17 Championships. The FA of Wales made the announcement in the following statement:
“With the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the Football Association of Wales has
taken the difficult decision not to send the Cymru Women’s Under 17s team to participate in the
UEFA European Qualifiers in Armenia next week, due to safety concerns.
“Cymru were due to play the hosts Armenia, Latvia and Turkey between 15-21 March. The
FAW will now withdraw the team from the tournament and organize a training camp for the
squad in early May. The FAW fully consulted with the players, their parents & guardians and
the Cymru coaching staff prior to making this decision.
“The FAW stands in solidarity with Ukraine and reiterates its condemnation for the use of
force and the atrocities being committed by Russia.”
Issue no. 25 - 10 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk