Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17 team drew 2-2 with Kazakhstan in a Euro qualifier played in Larne.
Competition
UEFA WU17 Euro 2025 Qualifiers
Scoreline
Northern Ireland WU17s 2-2 Kazakhstan WU17s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Ellen McDermott (13’), Charlotte Havern (25’)
Kazakhstan: Aru Yermagambetova (45+4’), Assel Zholbolat (71’ pen)
Venue
Inver Park, Larne
Date
20 March 2025
Team News
Gail Redmond’s Women’s U17s are currently competing in League B Group 1 in the second and final round of the UEFA WU17 Euro 2025 qualifiers.
For their second game in the group Redmond made five changes to the team that started the 2-1 defeat to Montenegro in game one.
Zara Maguire replaced Abbie Smith in nets, while Sophie Hutchinson, Abbie Smyth, Ellen McDermott and Heidi Curran came in for Lillie Horner, Jessica McGuinness, Sophie Pollock and Mia Reilly.
How it happened
Northern Ireland played on the front foot from the start. Kazakhstan keeper Karolina Guk kept out efforts from Heidi Curran and Abbie Smyth before Redmond’s side edged in front on 13 minutes when Ellen McDermott met a clearance and smashed the ball home.
Guk saved a Lucy Kelly strike and Charlotte Havern steered an effort wide, however Havern made no mistake when she scored with a free-kick on 25 minutes.
Zara Maguire saved an Aiya Muttari strike, while Smyth steered an effort wide at the other end.
Lucy Kelly was stretchered off following a collision. She was replaced by Emilee Leacock in the 40th minute.
As half-time approached Havern fired a free-kick over the top, while Maja Stachura raced through on goal but could only guide her shot past the post.
In added time Kazakhstan pulled a goal back when Aru Yermagambetova found space in the area and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 2-1 Kazakhstan WU17s
After the interval Northern Ireland defender Sophie Hutchinson headed well wide of the post from a corner and then McDermott had a shot pushed away by Guk, who also saved a Smyth shot.
Niamh Hassan and Havern both missed the target as Northern Ireland continued to push forward.
On 64 minutes Varvara Tsoy missed a gilt-edged opportunity for Kazakhstan, however they equalised seven minutes later. Hutchinson handled the ball in the area and substitute Assel Zholbolat stroked home the resultant spot kick.
Northern Ireland kept pushing. Guk saved a Smyth shot and substitute Ava Hurl hit the woodwork with a fine strike. Hurl steered an effort wide and Smyth missed the target in the closing stages.
Right at the end Maguire got down well to keep out a well-struck free-kick.
In today’s other game in the group Estonia and Montenegro drew 1-1 at Seaview.
Northern Ireland’s final game in the group is against Estonia at Seaview on Sunday (23 March). Kick-off time is 5.30pm.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU17s Kazakhstan WU17s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland WU17s: Zara Maguire, Caitlin Carlisle, Niamh Hassan, Chloe Beckinsale (captain), Sophie Hutchinson, Heidi Curran, Lucy Kelly, Charlotte Havern, Abbie Smyth, Maja Stachura, Ellen McDermott.
Substitutes: (used) Emilee Leacock, Ava Hurl; (unused) Abbie Smith (GK), Lillie Horner, Sophie Pollock, Anna Walsh, Brooke Taylor, Emilee Leacock, Mia Reilly.
Kazakhstan WU17s: Karolina Guk, Nikol Volzhenina, Rozanna Talipova, Tomiris Maxim, Ramina Omarova (captain), Aiya Muttari, Danagul Akhmetzhan, Varvara Tsoy, Aizere Muratzhan, Aru Yermagambetova, Angelina Klenova.
Substitutes: (used) Angelina Oster, Assel Zholbolat, Aissana Zeken, Zhaniya Makhash, Xenia Sander; (unused) Stella Baburchina-Luklyanets (GK), Nuray Bolatova, Nazmina Kainarbekova, Oxana Nikitchenko.
Action from Inver Park
