New Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager Michael McArdle says his players are fully focused ahead of tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Malta.
Northern Ireland are set to take on the Maltese at Mourneview Park in Lurgan (7 o’clock start) in the third game of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign.
Following defeats to Switzerland and Turkiye in the opening two qualifiers last month, McArdle knows that three points are a must in his first game in charge.
In his Manager’s View column in the matchday programme, he says: “The focus of everyone involved with the senior women’s team during this international window has been on getting our first points on the board in League B Group 2 of the European Qualifiers for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
“We know our position in the table right now is not where we would have wanted to be, or expected to be, at this stage of the campaign, but the work to climb that table starts now.
“We have spent the past week or so getting to know each other, working hard and encouraging bravery both in and out of possession.”
Northern Ireland and Malta have yet to get off the mark in B2. Northern Ireland lost 2-0 away to top seeds Switzerland and lost 1-0 at home to Turkiye last month, while Malta lost 3-0 away to Turkiye and 4-1 at home to the Swiss.
The girls in green and white are currently in 50th place in the FIFA Coca-Cola World Rankings compared to Malta in 89th, however McArdle is taking nothing for granted.
He points out: “We saw in their previous fixtures in the group that Malta are well organised and difficult to break down as well has having a threat in attack.
“That means we must be patient, disciplined, outwork our opponents and be clinical when the chances arrive.”
McArdle was appointed to his new role following last month’s qualifiers. He joined the Irish FA from the Scottish FA where he held the post of Head of Elite Women’s Football. He brings over 25 years of coaching experience to the Northern Ireland role, including 17 years in the professional game in Scotland.
In his Manager’s View column, he further says: “It is a massive honour for me to be managing the Northern Ireland senior women’s team.
“I am really looking forward to taking charge of the team for the first time, especially in a home game at Mourneview Park.”
Bristol City Women striker Maria Farrugia scored for Malta against Switzerland in March to bring her international tally to 13 goals in 61 appearances.
Along with Inter Milan striker Haley Bugeja (aged 21, caps 44, goals 24), the 25-year-old represents the attacking threat which the Northern Ireland manager alluded to in his programme notes.
Malta also have high hopes for striker Lexine Farrugia, an 18-year-old forward who plays for Roma.
Thirty-three-year-old Genoa midfielder Rachel Cuschieri, who has 111 caps and 16 goals to her name, may feature in the engine room along with Brenda Borg, of Maltese side Mgarr United, who is also an experienced operator (aged 28, 82 caps, five goals). At the back Genoa’s Emma Lipman (aged 37, caps 46, one goal) is a solid defender.
The goalkeeping department is the most inexperienced part of the Malta squad. Goalkeepers Maya Cachia, Raisa Costantino and Giulia D’Antuono (average age 21) have only 13 caps between them.
Tonight’s game is part one of a B2 double header against Malta. The teams will meet again on Saturday (18 April) at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’Qali (6pm BST start).
Both games are being shown live on the BBC Sport NI website and you can also follow them on Northern Ireland social channels.
Tickets are still available for tonight’s game in Lurgan at irishfa.com/tickets.
