Northern Ireland were narrowly defeated by Turkiye in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier in Istanbul this evening.
After weathering an early Turkish storm in balmy conditions at Siltas Yapi Pendik Stadyumu, Northern Ireland grew into the game and were unlucky to lose out by two goals to one following a gutsy performance.
A well-struck penalty from Megan Bell levelled the scores before the break, however an early second half goal from Busem Seker, who arguably should not have been on the pitch after handling the ball on the goal-line to concede the penalty, was enough to get the Turks over the line.
It was the penultimate game for both teams in League B Group 2 in stage one of the European qualifiers for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
Northern Ireland manager Michael McArdle made three changes to the side that started the 4-2 win away to Malta back in April.
In came defender Fi Morgan for only her second cap, and her first senior game in almost three years, along with experienced midfielder Nadene Caldwell and young midfielder Mia Moore.
Dropping to the bench were midfielder Brenna McPartlan and attacker Keri Halliday, while defender Rebecca Holloway was serving a suspension.
Turkey began on the front foot and immediately pushed Northern Ireland back.
Northern Ireland goalkeeper Jackie Burns had to pull off two excellent saves in the opening 16 minutes.
Firstly she pushed a flicked header from attacking midfielder Selen Altunkulak on to the bar and then she turned a diving header from the same player on to the base of the post.
On 18 minutes Moore played a lovely ball into the path of Lauren Wade and she fired in a low shot which was clutched by Turkey keeper Gamze Yaman.
Wade almost turned provider a minute later. She supplied a cross into the area but Leyla McFarland could not get a proper connection on it.
Turkiye captain Ebru Topcu fired a shot over the top before the home side took the lead on 25 minutes. Topcu fed the ball to Melike Pekel who raced forward and curled the ball superbly into the top corner.
Topcu almost extended Turkiye’s lead a couple of minutes later. Her shot from distance went inches past the post.
Northern Ireland drew level in the 41st minute. Bell delivered a corner into the six-yard box which bounced off the advancing Morgan. The ball spun towards the goal-line where Seker prevented it from entering the net by stopping it with her right hand.
The visitors were correctly awarded a penalty, however remarkably Seker was only shown a yellow card by French referee Alexandra Collin.
Bell stepped up to take the penalty and superbly planted it in the top corner.
Minutes later Moore and captain McKenna combined well down the right flank before McKenna’s cross found Wade in the area, however she could not get a header on target.
In added time a blaster from Topcu hit Burns on the chest and the Northern Ireland keeper and defender Natalie Johnson somehow managed to scramble the ball away as Altunkulak tried to get to the rebound.
Two minutes into the second half Turkey regained the lead. Altunkulak closed down Burns as she attempted a clearance. The midfielder retrieved the ball and crossed to the back post where Seker headed it home.
On 51 minutes Burns comfortably palmed down a strike from Pekel.
Northern Ireland enjoyed a decent spell of possession. They kept Turkiye hemmed in, and pushed them back, however they found it hard to create opportunities.
Substitute Aimee Kerr raced into the area but, under pressure from a Turkish defender, she could not direct her header towards goal.
Turkish substitute Kader Hancar then steered a header into the side netting as Turkiye went on the offensive again.
Andrews scooped a shot well over the top as Northern Ireland continued to press, and minutes later the midfielder fired another shot wide of the target.
Turkiye substitute Vildan Kardesler shot straight at Burns after being slipped through by Hancar.
In added time Northern Ireland substitute Brenna McPartlan missed the target and Ellie Mason scooped a shot just past the post.
Right at the death Northern Ireland substitute Danielle Maxwell slipped past her marker and bore down on goal, however Yaman raced off her line to block Maxwell’s low shot.
Switzerland eased past Malta in the other B2 game this evening to win the group. Turkey’s win against Northern Ireland meant they will finish second, however all three countries will now face two rounds of play-offs in October and November/December for berths at next year’s World Cup.
The unbeaten Swiss are Northern Ireland’s opponents in their final group game. That match is on Tuesday (9 June) at Mourneview Park in Lurgan.
Turkiye: Gamze Yaman, Fatma Sakar, Ilayda Civelek, Meryem Kucukbirinci, Eda Karatas, Cansu Kaya, Melike Pekel, Selen Altunkulak, Busem Seker, Ebru Topcu (captain), Miray Cin.
Substitutes: (used) Ece Turkoglu, Kader Hancar, Vildan Kardesler, Halle Houssein, Melike Ozturk; (unused) Selda Akgoz (GK) Goknur Guleryuz (GK), Ipek Kaya, Arzu Karabulut, Kezban Tag, Ece Tekmen, Gulbin Hiz.
Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna (captain), Lauren Wade, Ellie Mason, Fi Morgan, Natalie Johnson, Joely Andrews, Nadene Caldwell, Leyla McFarland, Megan Bell, Mia Moore.
Substitutes: (used) Casey Howe, Danielle Maxwell, Brenna McPartlan, Aimee Kerr, Cora Chambers; (unused) Lauren Perry, Maddy Harvey-Clifford, Abi Sweetlove, Keri Halliday, Cora Chambers, Kelsie Burrows, Emily Cassap.
Action from Istanbul
