Latest news with #SimoneMagill
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Skipper's delight as Northern Ireland defy heat to book Play-Off spot: ‘I'm super proud of this group'
With a Nations League promotion Play-Off place guaranteed thanks to a 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina it was not so much about what the team had achieved, but how they did it that gave captain Simone Magill the most satisfaction. In the midst of 30 degree temperatures in Zenica, hence a water break during each half of the contest, Northern Ireland managed to keep cool heads to see the game through after Sofija Krajsumovic's 29th minute goal had cancelled out Magill's opener just six minutes earlier. The fact that most of the noteworthy action took place before half time may be a reflection of how the conditions affected the game. Northern Ireland did have opportunities in the second half, but little that troubled the Bosnia goalkeeper while at the other end Jackie Burns was a virtual spectator bar a momentary scare in the opening minute of the second half. The climate will be much different in October no matter whether it is a trip to Austria, Belgium, Denmark or Iceland in between Tanya Oxtoby's team and a place in League A for the World Cup qualifiers. While the size of the task facing Northern Ireland can be measured by the fact that the latter three of those teams will be playing in this summer's European Championship Finals in Switzerland Magill and co. have at least shown whoever comes out of the hat in Friday's draw that they have the grit, the determination and the attitude to take into any contest, particularly when cast as the underdogs. 'We know what we came here to do,' said Magill. 'Ultimately we wanted to get all three points, but we knew that a draw was enough to get us exactly where we want to be. 'It's tough to come here in the heat. We've been here, done this before and especially off the back of what was a tough game against Poland to come here and put in a performance like that, see it out and get the result I'm super proud of the group. 'We're built on character and games like this just show exactly what we're made of and it takes the whole group to grind out a result and we showed that as well. 'It was all about the team today. Everybody put a shift in in this heat to grind out the result and ultimately that's what I'm was proud of." Magill's 28th goal in a Northern Ireland shirt showed a coolness that belied the temperature. It showed what the team is capable of - Rebecca Holloway's break forward and through ball to Magill was every bit as good as the outside of the foot finish. The captain had early forced a fine save from goalkeeper Almina Hodzic, who also denied Megan Bell when she was presented with a golden chance by Rebecca McKenna. Had either of those gone in then the later chances carved out by substitutes Emily Wilson and Keri Halliday might not have been so rushed by Magill. In the end though Northern Ireland made their point and that was sufficient to improve on the last Nations League campaign, which ended in a nervy relegation Play-off against Montenegro after coming third in the group. 'I'm always delighted to get on the score sheet and help out in any way I can," said Magill. "The striker in me is probably disappointed I didn't get more, but ultimately we got the goal that helped get us the result we needed and we have to take that as positive.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
The next step or too much to ask? NI earn promotion chance
It wasn't a classic, but it was enough for Northern Ireland to get the job done. The goal had long been for Tanya Oxtoby's youthful side to fight for a chance to earn promotion to League A for the first thanks to Tuesday's 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina, they will play in a promotion play-off in the autumn. A draw was all that was required in Zenica, and captain Simone Magill found the opener after being played in by Rebecca Holloway's inch-perfect the hosts hit back as Sofija Krajsumovic capitalised on some soft defending to bring Bosnia wasn't the dramatics from the reverse fixture in February in Larne, when Magill netted two late goals for a 3-2 win, but it was mission hindsight, that victory was crucial and ultimately the difference between facing a relegation play-off and having a shot at the big time."We needed a draw to get into the position of a play-off and we've got that. That's the main thing," former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan said on BBC Sport NI commentary."It's been the same sort of theme from the campaign where we start off really well, get our goal and you just want them to kick on a go for a second or maybe even a third. "But then we've given away a soft goal and it just changes." Will NI close the gap to Europe's elite? Callaghan had touched on what has been a frustrating theme from NI's Nations League campaign. There has certainly been bright moments from the youthful squad, but the lack of a full 90-minute performance has left points on the table after conceding soft goals - most notably in the draws with Romania and Bosnia. It has been a campaign of transition for the squad, with debuts handed to teenagers Kascie Weir, Aimee Kerr and Abi such as Rebecca McKenna, Joely Andrews, Keri Halliday, Danielle Maxwell and Brenna McPartlan, all in their early 20s, have taken more steps forward as leaders in the team, popping up with pivotal the top end of experience, Magill has led the way, but players such as Lauren Wade, Jackie Burns, Holloway and Rachel Dugdale have had their moments the campaign has been inconsistent, the blend in the squad shows things are pointing towards a bright the positives, such as the flowing first-half football at home to Romania and defensive solidity in the second half away in Poland (albeit when the team were already 2-0 down) can start outweighing the negatives then the team will continue to move in the right direction. Is it enough for Northern Ireland to take the next step and join the top tier of European football? Time will tell. The 7-0 aggregate defeat by Norway in the Euro 2025 play-offs showed that Europe's elite are on a different level, and the two Nations League games with Poland suggested there's work to do to close the gap to the best of the rest in the autumn they will get another opportunity to try and bridge that gap in a promotion play-off. They will be drawn against either Iceland, Denmark, Belgium or Austria, and will have nothing to lose as the underdogs - a tag which has suited Northern Ireland well in the past. "They would be really tough games. Iceland might be a team we would hope to get, but all four of them are League A teams who have qualified for major tournaments in recent years," Callaghan added. "We've played Austria and we know what they are capable of, but you can only take it one game at a time."Tanya and her team will make sure they do their homework on the opposition and set up accordingly."Even if the step up to League A is out of reach in the autumn, Callaghan doesn't necessarily believe that staying in their current tier would be a bad outcome."We're bringing a lot of youth into the squad and there are so many players who have less than 10 caps or just come out of the Under-19s. "So, to expect them to go up to League A and compete, I think it's a little bit too much to ask."We have a few 30-year-olds in terms of experience. Listen, League B has been a good league for us and it's been challenging for us."
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Oxtoby sees NI's 'growth' after securing play-off
Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby believes their 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Nations League in Zenica shows the "growth" of her Simone Magill's composed finish was cancelled out by Sofija Krajsumovic's equaliser for Bosnia, but NI saw out the draw which secured second place in the group and a promotion is an improvement on their third-place finish in the last edition of the Nations League, and despite the nervy nature of the draw, Oxtoby praised the application of her players to grind out a result."It's always a difficult place to come with the travel, I thought we should have scored a few more in the first half and we conceded a sloppy one, but to show the character to see the game out that's all that matters at this point," she said."In international football there are no easy games, I said all along every game was going to be competitive in this group and you have to show the character and resilience."You have to win when it's not pretty and get results when it's not pretty and we've certainly done that when there have been times previously when we haven't, so for me, that is growth." NI success 'takes everyone' Northern Ireland will now face one of Austria, Belgium, Denmark or Iceland in the play-offs in October after those four sides finished third in their respective League A groups, with the draw taking place on was keen to stress that NI being in a position to reach League A for the first time takes a whole squad effort, particularly after a difficult trip to get to Bosnia."When you talk about the culture of the group, everyone adds value and contributes to what we're doing," she added."I said to the players whether you played or not you have contributed to the success of the group, it takes everyone."The travel day wasn't exactly smooth but to see the way the group look after each other in the airport that pleases me no end because that is the foundation you build team character and resilience on."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
NI need to 'bounce back' in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Nations League Group B1: Bosnia & Herzegovina v Northern Ireland Venue: FF BH Football Training Centre, Zenica Date: Tuesday, 3 June Kick-off: 18:00 BST Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and follow live text commentary & in-play clips on the BBC Sport website Advertisement Captain Simone Magill expects Northern Ireland to "bounce back" in Tuesday's crucial Nations League game in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Her side's hopes of automatic qualification to League A were ended in Friday's 4-0 loss at home to Poland. However, Tanya Oxtoby's side are still in a strong position to secure a promotion play-off in Zenica. A win or draw would secure second place and a play-off spot, however a defeat would open up a number of permutations as NI and Bosnia-Herzegovina would be level on points. "We've spoken about learning as a group and we are finding ourselves in positions where we are learning," Magill said. Advertisement "This is a really good opportunity to finish the campaign strong. "We spoke at the start of this campaign about our aim and that's still very much in our control. "If we can go and get the result we want then that's been a success for us." Magill scored two late goals as Northern Ireland defeated the Bosnians 3-2 in the reverse fixture in February. Selver Hodzic's side were also beaten twice in Euro 2025 qualifying last year, and Magill said her youthful side have to "use those moments" to "carry us through". "No game at this level is easy, especially away from home. We've faced Bosnia quite a few times and we've had positive outcomes. Advertisement "It would be a special feeling [to secure a promotion play-off]. "We want to be in the mix again for major tournaments, and getting promotion to League A would start to get us back in the mix and get us closer to being back where we want to be." Head here to get involved
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Watch: Northern Ireland hosting group leaders Poland
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.
