Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17 team lost out by two goals to nil to Hungary in a Euro qualifier played in Hungary this afternoon.
Competition
UEFA Women’s European Under-17 Championship 2023-24
Qualifying First Round (League A)
Scoreline
Northern Ireland WU17s 0 Hungary WU17s 2
Scorers
Hungary: Gegeny (36’), Gracie Conway (OG 85’)
Venue
Globall Football Park, Telki
Date
10 November 2023
Team News
This was Northern Ireland’s third and final match in League A Group 6 in the first round of qualifiers for the UEFA WU17 Euros 2024. The A6 mini tournament was staged in the Budapest metropolitan area in Hungary.
WU17s boss Gail Redmond made three changes to the team that started the second game against Belgium, which Northern Ireland lost 4-0.
In came goalkeeper Zara Maguire along with midfielders Mia Moore and Sophie Kelly-Bradley, while keeper Abbie Smith, Eva Myles and Bernadette Ferreira dropped to the bench.
How it happened
Northern Ireland started brightly against Hungary, who defeated Belgium in their first group game and were then thrashed by England in their second match.
Gracie Conway steered an effort wide before Rhianna Breen forced a save out of Hungarian keeper Petra Kocsi.
And Kocsi was in action again to thwart both Mia Moore and Niamh Boothroyd.
However, Hungary took the lead on 36 minutes. Dora Szabo played the ball to Petra Gegeny and the forward duly converted the chance.
Julianna Brekovski and Gegeny both missed the target before Moore dragged a shot wide of the upright.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 0 Hungary WU17s 1
At the start of the second half Gegeny hit the bar with a powerful rising drive as the Hungarians went in search of a second goal.
Bernadett Berencsi and Brekovski spurned opportunities and then Moore’s scuffed shot was easily gathered by Kocsi.
In the 82nd minute Gegeny rattled the woodwork again with a blaster from the edge of the D.
Three minutes later Hungary grabbed their second goal of the game when a Brekovski delivery from a corner was nodded into her own net by Northern Ireland’s Gracie Conway.
That was the last meaningful action in a game in which Northern Ireland competed well, creating just as many chances as their hosts.
The result unfortunately means Northern Ireland have been relegated to League B for the second round of qualifiers. England topped the group after winning all of their games, scoring 20 goals and conceding none. Hungary finished second on six points.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 0 Hungary WU17s 2
Line-ups
Northern Ireland: Zara Maguire, Zoe Knox, Ellen Hampton, Daisy Conway, Niamh Hassan, Mia Moore, Sophie Kelly-Bradley, Darcie McNeill (captain), Rhianna Breen, Gracie Conway, Niamh Boothroyd.
Substitutes: (used) Clodagh Maguire, Jessica McGuinness, Bernadette Ferreira, Rhianna Murphy; (unused) Abbie Smith (GK), Eva Myles, Lucy Kelly, Laura Dowey, Laurie Bell.
Hungary: Petra Kocsi, Linett Bozsik (captain), Otilia Torok, Roza Bereczki, Petra Nyul, Julianna Brekovski, Gyongyver Szalay, Lilien Borzak, Petra Gegeny, Dora Szabo, Bernadett Berencsi.
Substitutes: Janka Major (GK), Lilien Ezsely, Dorka Sutak, Greta Banfi, Dora Szalanics, Zille Gagyor, Natalia Bak, Zsofia Muller, Gabriella Gavris.
