Northern Ireland Women v England (12/04/2021)

It is wonderful that the ‘sold out’ signs have gone up for this match at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park tonight.

As a collective we have come so far over the past few years – and the team’s rise in both popularity and confidence is ref lected in the record numbers attending what will be a fantastic occasion. We come in to this World Cup qualifier on the back of a disappointing defeat to Austria on Friday night . It was one of those games where we just did not get the rub of the green. I thought we more than matched the Austrians for long spells. Mistakes cost us in the end, and I don’t mind players making mistakes as long as they learn from them. Realistically we now only have an extremely slim chance of claiming a play-off spot for next year’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand, however we will continue to battle right to the end. England have strolled through European Qualifying Group D to date, scoring for fun. But I am confident we can give them a game tonight , roared on by a full house at the National Stadium. We have to put the disappointment of the result in Wiener Neustadt behind us and go again. And I believe we can do that . I thought we looked nervous in the early part of the match in Austria before settling down and matching the Austrians. Unfortunately we were undone

by nine minutes of madness in which mistakes were ruthlessly punished. I was pleased with how the players responded to conceding three goals in relatively quick succession. They did not let their heads drop and kept pushing forward, creating plenty of chances. I was delighted for Joely Andrews that she got her first senior international goal . She has worked hard in the full- time training programme and is a real livewire. She can be a big player for us going forward. We showed in the final quarter of the game in Austria that we have the ability to create chances, but we must improve when it comes to taking those chances. Moving back to tonight’s game, we know it is going to be very tough against an England team who are firing on all cylinders just now. However, we repelled them at Wembley back in the autumn for more than 60 minutes and if we show as much grit , spirit and determination, along with more purpose going forward, I think we will give a good account of ourselves. Thanks for your wonderful support and let’s hope we give you something to cheer about . KENNY SHIELS NORTHERN IRELAND WOMEN MANAGER

IRISHFA.COM

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