NI 'in control of own destiny' - but can they take next step?

BBC News

a day ago

Nations League Group B1: Northern Ireland v PolandVenue: Seaview, Belfast Date: Friday, 30 May Kick-off: 19:00 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and follow live text commentary & in-play clips on the BBC Sport website
At times, it feels like Northern Ireland are destined to remain in League B of the Nations League. Tanya Oxtoby's side have been there for three iterations of the competition and Euro qualifying, and while they are too good for League C, the top tier has always been just out of reach.Now, they have the chance to reach the promised land, but to do so they will need to deliver the biggest victory of Oxtoby's reign.Northern Ireland sit second in Group 1, three points behind leaders Poland, who travel to Belfast on Friday night. The Poles won the opening game between the sides, but if Oxtoby's side can pull off an upset they would be in a strong position heading into the final round of matches.
If Northern Ireland lose to Poland on Friday, and Bosnia-Herzegovina defeat Romania, then 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."
'We can cause them problems'
Northern Ireland fell to a 2-0 defeat in Poland in their Nations League opener after a quickfire double for the hosts. That was followed by a dramatic 3-2 win at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina, before a draw with Romania was followed by a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture. The opening 45 minutes of the win over Romania featured some of the best football Northern Ireland have played under Oxtoby, and a free-flowing move led to teenager Kascie Weir netting the decisive goal. Oxtoby said the key to a positive result against Poland will be "concentration", and it will be a challenge against a "really good team"."We have come a long way since that game and we were disappointed of elements of it. "They are fairly consistent and good at what they do. We know they are going to come here and cause us problems in certain areas. "We will hope to cause them problems in return. It will be a great challenge for our young group." After a number of matches at Windsor Park and Inver Park, Northern Ireland will return to Seaview for the first time since October 2023.The Belfast venue was a cornerstone of their successful Euro 2022 qualification campaign, but they haven't played there since drawing with Hungary in the inaugural Nations League.Oxtoby said they want to make the venue a "fortress" and the compact ground can help them cause Poland "some problems"."We want to make it uncomfortable for Poland, that would be the ideal. "We had a conversation before training about having a conversation about how good they can be, and I think they are now starting to see that."
Christiansen involvement 'a luxury'
To help her young squad, Oxtoby has brought former England international Izzy Christiansen into her coaching set up."We know the quality that Izzy had as a player, and she is a brilliant coach as well," said Oxtoby."To have a female who has done so much in the game and is also brilliant on the grass, it's priceless for this group and the girls are really lapping it up."Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill played alongside Christiansen at Everton, and said it was "great" to have her in working with the youthful squad."I know her well. I think she set me up for a good few of my Everton goals too," said Magill, who now plays for Birmingham City. "She has been there and done it all, to be able to ask her questions and pick her brains is a real luxury for us to have. "It's one that all the girls have been desperate to use as well. That's fantastic."