Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team comfortably defeated Azerbaijan 4-0 in a Euro qualifier played in Albania.
Competition
UEFA WU19 Euro 2025 qualifiers
Scoreline
Northern Ireland WU19s 4-0 Azerbaijan U19s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Gracie Conway (10’, 51’), Abi Sweetlove (42’), Niamh Boothroyd (58’)
Venue
House of Football, Tirana
Date
18 February 2025
Team News
Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team are currently competing in a mini tournament in the second stage of the UEFA WU19 Euro 2025 qualifiers.
WU19s boss Gail Redmond has a 20-strong panel at her disposal for League B games against hosts Albania, Azerbaijan and Montenegro.
The winners of League B Group 4 will be promoted to League A for stage one of the qualifiers for WU19 Euro 2026 this autumn.
How it happened
Northern Ireland were on the front foot from the start and Sofie Keenan hit the woodwork direct from a corner before she set up Gracie Conway to open the scoring on 10 minutes.
Faye Loughran got on the end of an Aimee Kerr free-kick but guided her effort just past the post, while a Kerr shot was well saved by Azerbaijan keeper Mehriban Shahmammadova before Niamh Boothroyd fired over the top.
Then the Azerbaijan keeper kept out a Kerr header and a Rachel McIntyre effort drifted over the bar, and captain Abi Sweetlove steered a shot just off target.
Boothroyd jinked her way past three defenders and blasted the ball against the crossbar before Northern Ireland deservedly extended their lead when Sweetlove scored with a fine long range shot.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 2-0 Azerbaijan WU19s
It was more of the same after the break, with Northern Ireland forcing Azerbaijan back.
A third goal for Redmond’s side came on 51 minutes. After good build-up play Darcie McNeill slipped the ball to Conway and she made no mistake.
Boothroyd struck the woodwork again, and Kerr put a header over the bar, as the WU19s continued to apply pressure.
Boothroyd got the goal her all-round play deserved when she dribbled past a couple of defenders and slotted the ball home in the 58th minute.
The Azerbaijan keeper produced good stops to deny McNeill and substitutes Bernie Ferreira and Rhianna Breen, while Conway, Breen, Ferreira and Kerr all had further chances, and Kerr hit the crossbar with a shot from outside the penalty area.
Afterwards Redmond said: “I was very pleased with the overall performance. We controlled the game from start to finish and created numerous opportunities.
“We will rest and recover and then prepare for the next game, where our focus will be on being more clinical in the final third.”
Matchday two, on Friday (21 February), will see the WU19s take on Montenegro at the same venue, while they will complete the mini tournament with a game against Albania at Elbasan Arena in Elbasan next Monday (24 February).
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 4-0 Azerbaijan WU19s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland WU19s: Ellie Scott, Orleigha McGuinness, Sofie Keenan, Faye Loughran, Abi Sweetlove (captain), Darcie McNeill, Rachel McIntyre, Niamh Boothroyd, Gracie Conway, Aimee Kerr, Sophie Gargan.
Substitutes: (used) Niamh O’Donnell, Rhianna Breen, Bernie Ferreira, Anastasija Stanyte, Ellen Hampton; (unused) Kate Smith (GK), Clodagh Maguire, Sophie Kelly-Bradley.
Azerbaijan WU19s: Mehriban Shahmammadova, Roya Aliyeva (captain), Aydan Akbarova, Aydan Hasanova, Lala Abbaszada, Sama Hasanli, Parishan Abdullayeva, Vahida Alipashayeva, Aysel Ziyadova, Masuma Nazarli, Madina Jurugova.
Substitutes: (used) Islamova Ulviyya, Fatima Ahmadova, Aysu Murtuzayeva; (unused) Gulasar Ismayilova (GK), Gunel Muradova (GK), Madina Gadimaliyeva, Aysel Jumayev
