Northern Ireland will play on the front foot in the second game of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign.
That’s the promise from senior women’s team interim manager Kris Lindsay ahead of the game against Turkiye in Lurgan later today.
Switzerland, top seeds in League B Group 2, defeated Lindsay’s side 2-0 in their campaign opener in Lausanne on Tuesday night.
Second seeds Northern Ireland had to defend resolutely throughout that match as they limited the Swiss to very few clearcut chances.
But Lindsay insists his team will be more focused on creating chances against Turkiye at Mourneview Park (7 o’clock kick-off).
In his Manager’s View column in the matchday programme, he promised: “The players will be focusing on playing forward, creating chances and giving the crowd something to be excited about.”
And he added: “Tonight’s game will be another stiff test, especially after Turkiye had a good result against Malta in their first game in League B Group 2 (3-0 win).
“However, we are approaching the match positively, aiming to play on the front foot and get points on the board as we move forward with qualification for the World Cup in Brazil.”
Lindsay is also looking forward to managing the team at Mourneview Park, home of Glenavon FC.
“In my playing days I made many appearances for Glenavon, so it’s also pleasing for me to take charge of the team at a ground I know so well,” he said.
Reflecting on the Women’s World Cup European qualifier against the Swiss, he said the Northern Ireland players deserved “massive credit” for their performance against a top quality side.
He pointed out: “The players were organised and played with an intensity, especially out of possession.
“Either side of the first Swiss goal we defended really well and limited our opponents to very few clearcut chances. Naturally, it was disappointing to concede a second goal late on, however up to that point the players worked tirelessly to keep the Swiss out.
“There were a couple of good moments on the ball in Lausanne and this is what we will be trying to improve on tonight and moving forward.”
Turkiye, who are third seeds in the group, defeated Malta in Istanbul earlier this week with goals from Ebru Topcu and Arzu Karabulut plus an OG.
Topcu’s goal brought her international tally to 24 in 95 appearances. The Galatasary Gain midfielder is one of the stars of the Turkish team.
Most of the Turkiye squad ply their trade in their homeland, however they do have a handful of talented players who operate in other leagues across Europe.
Among them is midfielder Miray Cin of German side Borussia Monchengladbach (37 caps, three goals), West Ham United midfielder Halle Houssein (five caps), forward Kader Hancer (33 caps, 11 goals) of Mexican side Club Tijuana and midfielder Selen Gul Altunkulak (14 caps, nine goals), who plays in France for FC Toulouse.
The strong core of home-based players includes Ankara BB Fomget goalkeeper Selda Akgoz (59 caps) and striker Arzu Karabulut (60 caps, seven goals), Galatasary defenders Elif Keskin (48 caps, five goals) and Eda Karatas (33 caps) plus Fenerbahce ArsaVev midfielder Ece Turkoglu (54 caps, nine goals) and forward Busem Seker (49 caps, seven goals).
Tickets are still available for the game at irishfa.com/tickets. It is also being livestreamed on the BBC Sport NI website and app as well as the BBC iPlayer.
