Watch: Northern Ireland hosting group leaders Poland

BBC News

5 days ago

Update:
Date: 19:03 BST
Title: CLOSE!
Content: Northern Ireland 0-0 Poland
I've no idea how Poland didn't score inside 60 seconds.
A ball was clipped over the top for Ewa Pajor, who spotted that Jackie Burns had raced off her line and lobbed the ball towards goal.
It looked like it would drop in but it takes a big bounce and lands on the roof of the net.
That's a very early let-off.
Update:
Date: 19:01 BST
Title: Post
Content: Northern Ireland 0-0 Poland
Marissa CallaghanFormer Northern Ireland captain BBC iPlayer
We started off on the front foot against Romania, so hopefully we can do that again.
Update:
Date: 19:01 BST
Title: KICK-OFF
Content: Northern Ireland 0-0 Poland
Off we go in Belfast!
Remember, a point will be enough to secure a promotion play-off with a game to spare.
Update:
Date: 18:59 BST
Title: Post
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Marissa CallaghanFormer Northern Ireland captain BBC iPlayer
We have some amazing memories form Seaview and hopefully the sold-out crowd will get behind us.
Update:
Date: 18:57 BST
Title: Post
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
It's time for the anthems.
First up, it's Poland.
Update:
Date: 18:55 BST
Title: Post
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Simone Magill leads out Northern Ireland at Seaview, and is followed by Barcelona star Ewa Pajor and Poland.
It's a glorious evening in Belfast. Let's hope the game can match the weather.
Update:
Date: 18:54 BST
Title: 'Refined' NI can stun Poland - Magill
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill believes her side are more "refined" as they prepare to take on Poland.
Poland ran out 2-0 winners against Northern Ireland in February's opener as the top seeds hit a quickfire double.
Tanya Oxtoby's side responded by collecting seven points from a possible nine and can still earn promotion from League B.
"Poland are a really tough team," said Birmingham City striker Magill.
"It was a tough night for us over there at the start of the group but we've had a lot of games since.
"We've refined in a lot of areas, and we had a really good performance at home last time out [against Romania]."
Update:
Date: 18:52 BST
Title: Rafferty out injured
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby, speaking on BBC iPlayer: "It's a shame for Raff [Laura Rafferty]. She picked up a knock on Tuesday, we thought we could manage it but she's not going to be right for tonight. She'll still play a role off the pitch with her leadership."
Update:
Date: 18:50 BST
Title: Post
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Marissa CallaghanFormer Northern Ireland captain BBC iPlayer
The girls will be buzzing. It's all to play for and it's an exciting night. I hope they can do the business.
Update:
Date: 18:49 BST
Title: Sweetlove steps up
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Lauren McCannBBC Sport NI at Seaview
An international debut for any player is a big night, but given what is at stake and who she is up against, it is a huge occasion for Linfield defender Abi Sweetlove.
The teenager faces the unenviable task of stopping one of the world's best strikers on her first start for her country as she comes up against Poland and Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor.
The 28-year-old scored 25 goals in 28 league games and netted seven in 11 Champions League games.
It will certainly be a baptism of fire for the Blues youngster, who has impressed in the Women's Premiership
Update:
Date: 18:47 BST
Title: Team news - Debut for Sweetlove
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Northern Ireland
Tanya Oxtoby has shown in the past that she's not afraid to throw youth in the deep end, and that's what has happened to Abi Sweetlove this evening.
The Linfield defender, 19, has been in a number of camps but will make her debut against Poland's star-studded line-up.
Megan Bell is also introduced as Tanya Oxtoby makes two changes from the team tat defeated Romania in April.
Caragh Hamilton and Keri Halliday are the players who make way.
It's a strong side for Poland, who are led by star striker Ewa Pajor, as they get ready for the Euro 2025 finals.
Northern Ireland: Burns, McKenna, Sweetlove, Caldwell, Mason, Holloway, McPartlan, Andrews, Bell, Magill (capt), Weir.
Subs: A Smith, K Smith, Dugdale, Rafferty, Kerr, McDaniel, Furness, Halliday, Hamilton, Wade, Maxwell, Wilson.
Poland: Szemik, Wiankowska, Dudek, Szymczak, Zienewicz, Kamczyk, Pawollek, Achcinska, Padilla, Pajor (capt), Tomasiak.
Subs: Radkiewicz, Seweryn, Cyrniak, Zaremba, Mesjasz, Zawistowska, Brodzik, Grabowska, Kokosz, Jedlinska, Slowinska, Adamek.
Update:
Date: 18:45 BST
Title: NI 'need to be more confident' against Poland - Rafferty
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Northern Ireland defender Laura Rafferty says her side should take belief into tonight's crucial Nations League game against Poland at Seaview.
Tanya Oxtoby's side lost 2-0 away to the Euro 2025-bound Poles in February and go into the final two matches of their Group B1 campaign trailing the leaders by three points thanks to subsequent home wins over Bosnia-Herzogovina and Romania, plus an away draw with the Romanians.
A win over Poland would put Northern Ireland in control of their own destiny in terms of potentially winning the group going into Tuesday's trip to Zenica to play Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"We spoke about our aims from the start and coming into the last two games we're completely on target and we know what we have to do," said Rafferty.
"Going into this game I think we need to be more confident [than in the defeat by Poland]. It's a massive game for us and the only thing we want from it is a win.
"We're looking forward to it and we're just dissecting their [Poland's] games. Teams have strengths, but they have weaknesses too and it's what you do to exploit them."
Update:
Date: 18:42 BST
Title: Post
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Northern Ireland aren't the only home nation in action this evening.
England are in League A action at Wembley against Portugal from 19:45 BST, while Scotland are also in action later in Austria.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland are currently being held in Turkey and Wales, who kicked off at 18:15 BST, are drawing with Denmark but are knocking on the door for an opener.
You can follow updates from all those matches on the BBC Sport website and app.
Update:
Date: 18:40 BST
Title: What's happened so far?
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Northern Ireland faced Poland in their opening fixture, and the top seeds ran out 2-0 winners to claim top spot in Group B1.
Poland then defeated Romania 1-0, while Northern Ireland needed two late goals from Simone Magill to defeat Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-2 at Inver Park.
In a double-header wit Romania, NI drew 1-1 in Bucharest before Kascie Weir's first international goal gave Tanya Oxtoby's side all three points in the reverse fixture.
Poland, on the other hand, hammered Bosnia-Herzegovina 5-1 but were held to a 1-1 draw in Zenica.
Update:
Date: 18:38 BST
Title: Can NI take the next step?
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
The Poles won the opening game between the sides, but if Tanya Oxtoby's side can pull off an upset they would be in a strong position heading into the final round of matches.
Even if Northern Ireland lose to Poland on Friday, it will come down to a final game shootout between the sides for the promotion play-off spot.
As things stand in League A, possible play-off opponents could include the likes of Austria, Denmark, Portugal and Iceland.
Ultimately, no matter what happens against Poland, NI's League A hopes are in their own hands.
"It's what we wanted. We wanted to be in this position heading into the final two games where we can control our own destiny," Oxtoby told BBC Sport NI.
"It's a real credit to this group of staff and players where we are in a position where we could do something special and top the group. Our destiny is in our own hands.
"We just need to take it one game at a time and focus on our performance."
Update:
Date: 18:36 BST
Title: How things stand
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Here's how things stand in Group B2.
In good news for Northern Ireland, Romania have defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, which puts Northern Ireland in a great position to secure at least a promotion play-off.
A point would be enough for Tanya Oxtoby's side to wrap up second place, but they're still in decent shape even with a defeat.
Update:
Date: 18:33 BST
Title: Smith replaces injured Harvey-Clifford in NI squad
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
Teenage Lisburn Rangers goalkeeper Kate Smith has been called into the Northern Ireland squad for the forthcoming Women's Nations League matches against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
It is a first senior international call-up for Smith, 18, who replaces Crusaders stopper Maddy Harvey-Clifford, who has withdrawn through injury.
She joins Jackie Burns and 16-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper Abbie Smith in the squad.
Northern Ireland will host unbeaten group leaders Poland at Seaview, followed by a trip to Zenica to face third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later (18:00 BST).
"Kate is a young player we've been monitoring for some time. She equipped herself well when she joined the squad as a training player during our last camp and deserves her place for these two games," said Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby.
Goalkeeper Kate Smith
Update:
Date: 18:28 BST
Title: Let's go!
Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST)
BBC iPlayer
Domestic football may largely be done and dusted for the season, but the Nations League will keep us ticking over for the next week or so.
Northern Ireland are back in action and will look to get some revenge on Poland, who ran out 2-0 winners in February's opener.
You can watch the game live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan on commentary alongside Michael Clarke.