Tuesday 29 Oct 2024

Oxtoby feeling positive ahead of play-off

Northern Ireland’s senior women’s team will be “really up for it” when they face Croatia in Belfast this evening.

That’s the message from Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby ahead of the second and final leg of the round one UEFA Women’s Euro play-off between the two sides.

Tanya Oxtoby has also called up 18 year-old Linfield Women defender Abi Sweetlove into the squad for her first senior international call-up. 

Friday’s first leg in Varazdin ended all square after the Croatians scored a penalty early on and Northern Ireland equalised in the 92^nd minute via an own goal.

It’s a winner takes all scenario in Belfast this evening, and Oxtoby is feeling positive about the game. She insists her players will be playing to win at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

In the matchday programme for the second leg, the manager points out: “Conceding a goal early on was, of course, not we wanted in the first leg, however the response from the team was exceptional. 

“I thought our first half performance in particular was really good. We got into the right areas and played the patterns we were looking to play. 

“The grit and determination we showed in wanting to take something back home is what this group of players is all about. It can’t always be pretty but they will dig in and work hard for each other.” 

The Northern Ireland boss applauded the team’s mentality in the second half which had delivered “the result that we deserved”. 

In the programme she further points out: “The players could have rested and taken their foot off the gas in the second half but they pushed and pushed to take something out of the game.

“There were lots of positives from our performance. It was a different kind of first half to the second half, but all round I am really happy where we are at.

“It’s one more to go in this play-off and I can assure you the players are really up for it.” 

Northern Ireland had the bulk of the possession in the game in northern Croatia and created twice as many chances as their opponents.

Oxtoby is expecting the game tonight to follow a similar pattern. She believes Croatia will be content to soak up pressure and try to grab goals on the break.

Northern Ireland will again have to be wary of two experienced operators in particular in the Croatian team. 

Midfielder Izabela Lojna (32), who scored both goals in Friday’s match, has 89 caps for her country and 14 goals, while forward Ivana Rudelic, who is also aged 32, has netted 20 international goals in 52 appearances.

Oxtoby also believes the support provided by the Northern Ireland fans will help the team get over the line. 

The manager said it will be great to be back playing in front of “our incredible fans” at the National Stadium.

And her message to the Green and White Army was: “With your excellent support I am confident we can get the desired result tonight.” 

Tickets are still available for the game at irishfa.com/tickets. 

The winners of tonight’s encounter will play the winners of the round one tie between Norway and Albania for a place at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Norway are clear favourites to win that one given that they defeated Albania 5-0 away from home in the first leg.