Northern Ireland produced a gritty and gutsy display against Iceland in part one of their UEFA Women’s Nations League play-off tonight.
A goal in each half helped Iceland to a 2-0 win in front of 2184 fans at Ballymena Showgrounds.
Tanya Oxtoby’s side had to soak up a lot of pressure throughout the match, with keeper Jackie Burns in commanding form, but they also created some decent opportunities in the second half.
Iceland, who are ranked 17th in the world compared to Northern Ireland in 44th, confidently stroked the ball around from the start.
The first chance of the game fell to Iceland winger Sveindis Jonsdottir who put a header over the top, and then she shot straight at Burns.
And in the seventh minute the lively attacker hit the base of the post with a powerful strike.
Another Iceland forward, Sandra Jessen, put a header over the bar as the visitors continued to press.
Then attacker Hlin Eiriksdottir had a shot cleared off the line by Northern Ireland captain Nadene Caldwell.
Iceland pushed forward at every given opportunity. Midfielder Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir made a strong burst forward and fed Jessen who guided her shot wide of the post.
Then fellow midfielder Hildur Antonsdottir headed over the bar from a Vilhjalmsdottir delivery.
Iceland eventually found the net on 31 minutes. Vilhjalmsdottir launched a free-kick into the penalty area and captain Glodis Viggorsdottir rose highest to head the ball home.
Two minutes later Burns had to dive full length to push away a header from striker Hlin Eiriksdottir and then she punched out a shot from Vilhjalmsdottir.
On 43 minutes Jonsdottir slipped past her marker and unleashed a powerful drive which Burns superbly pushed onto the bar.
At the start of the second half Antonsdottir put a low shot wide, while Vilhjalmsdottir produced a fierce shot from a free-kick which Burns pushed around the post. It was an excellent save.
On 61 minutes there was a triple substitution for Northern Ireland, with defender Sarah McFadden and striker Kerry Beattie coming on alongside young midfielder Mia Moore, who was making her senior international debut.
Burns produced another good stop from a Jessen header as Iceland threatened once again.
Moore had a shot blocked as Northern Ireland started to push forward more, with Megan Bell producing some fine passes.
On 72 minutes Emily Wilson sped down the wing and cut back inside before producing a lovely curler which dropped just wide of the far post.
A minute later Burns had to tip over a well-struck corner from Vilhjalmsdottir.
On 75 minutes Iceland grabbed a second goal. Vilhjalmsdottir’s pinpoint delivery from a corner found Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir and she nodded the ball into the net from close range.
In the 80th minute Northern Ireland wing-back Lauren Wade swept a shot wide of the post.
Three minutes later Leyla McFarland made her senior international debut for Northern Ireland.
The game petered out after that as Iceland secured a two-goal cushion to take into the second and final leg of the UWNL play-off at Laugardalsvöllur Stadium in Reykjavik on Tuesday which will determine who will play in League A in the next edition of the competition.
Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Caragh Hamilton, Lauren Wade, Rebecca McKenna, Nadene Caldwell (captain), Abi Sweetlove, Louise McDaniel, Megan Bell, Emily Wilson, Kascie Weir, Joely Andrews.
Substitutes: (used) Sarah McFadden, Kerry Beattie, Mia Moore, Aimee Kerr, Leyla McFarland; (unused) Maddy Harvey-Clifford, Kate Smith, Natalie Johnson, Keri Halliday, Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Casey Howe.
Iceland: Cecilia Runarsdottir, Saedis Heidarsdottir, Gudrun Arnardottir, Glodis Viggosdottir (captain), Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir, Hildur Antonsdottir, Hlin Eirkisdottir, Alexandra Johannsdottir, Sveindis Jonsdottir, Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir, Sandra Jessen.
Substitutes: (used) Dilja Zomers, Amanda Andradottir, Katla Tryggvadottir, Agla Albertsdottir, Emilia Asgeirsdottir; (unused) Telma Ivarsdottir (GK), Fanney Birkisdottir (GK), Arna Eiriksdottir, Vigdis Kristjansdottir, Maria Olafsdottir Gros, Thelma Palmadottir, Hafrun Halldorsdottir.
Action from Ballymena
