Tanya Oxtoby is looking for another “magical night” when Northern Ireland Women take on Romania in Belfast later today.
The senior women’s team drew 1-1 with the Romanians in Bucharest on Friday in part one of a UEFA Women’s Nations League double header this month.
But Northern Ireland boss Oxtoby wants to see more from her players when the second part unfolds this evening at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park (7pm kick-off).
In her Manager’s View column in the matchday programme for the League B Group 1 encounter, she says: “I thought we dominated certain parts of the game against Romania in Bucharest on Friday night, and we can take a lot of positives from that.
“However, we need to be better in certain moments and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to play Romania once again this evening and to challenge ourselves again against a really good side.”
Oxtoby is also hoping home advantage will count as her team aim to consolidate second place in the B1 table and put more points on the board.
She points out: “The last time we played at the stadium it was a magical night (when we defeated Croatia in a UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 play-off game) and I am hoping for more of the same on that front.
“The girls loving playing here at the National Stadium. It’s our home and we want to stamp our authority on this game.
“We need to take the learnings from the game in Bucharest and try to put together a 90-minute performance.We all want to put in a good performance for our fans, who are always amazing.”
Northern Ireland controlled possession in the first half on Friday night, but Romania were stronger after the break.
“There are areas of our game where we are strong, that we can continue to move forward with, but there are areas of our game that we need to continue to develop, and we need to learn from nights like Friday,” she says.
And she adds: “We know the second half performance in Bucharest was not good enough, however I have no doubt we will learn from it and get better.
“Romania are a good side. They not only showed it against us but also against group leaders Poland when they lost narrowly to them in February.”
Cliftonville Ladies defender Kelsie Burrows was called up on Sunday as a replacement for Blackburn Rovers Women defender Rachel Dugdale, who was injured in the game in Bucharest.
And yesterday it emerged Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer, Rachel Furness, has been recalled to the squad to replace Nottingham Forest Women midfielder Megan Bell, who is unwell.
The vastly experienced Furness (36) actually scored for Northern Ireland against Romania 20 years ago – in a Women’s World Cup qualifier played in Romania.
The Newcastle United Women midfielder, who has 95 caps and has scored 38 goals for her country, last played for Northern Ireland in a Women’s Nations League game against Hungary in October 2023.
Oxtoby told BBC Sport NI yesterday: "With the way we want to play we need versatility, and Furney can play in a number of different roles, and the leadership she brings around the group is priceless. She'll come in and add a lot of enthusiasm and belief."
This evening’s game between Northern Ireland (currently ranked 44th in the world) and Romania (ranked 49th) is live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website.
Tickets are also still available for the game at irishfa.com/tickets.
