Northern Ireland were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Turkiye in the second game of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign.
The League B Group 2 European qualifier in Lurgan tonight was a tight affair with few clearcut chances.
And second seeds Northern Ireland were unlucky not to secure at least a point against the third seeds in the group.
In the second half in particular interim manager Kris Lindsay’s side had plenty of the ball, however they were unable to break down the Turkish defence.
A first half goal from Ece Turkoglu was enough to give the visitors the win in front of 2186 fans at Mourneview Park.
The Turks enjoyed more of the ball in the opening exchanges. The first shot on target was a free-kick from Turkiye midfielder Ebru Topcu which was fired straight at Northern Ireland keeper Lauren Perry, making her first appearance since 2018.
Following some good approach work involving Rebecca McKenna and Danielle Maxwell, McKenna laid the ball back to midfielder Mia Moore inside the area and her low drive was held by Turkiye keeper and captain Selda Akgoz.
Brenna McPartlan did well to clear the danger after Perry played the ball into the path of Ece Turkoglu.
Turkiye took the lead on 24 minutes when another Perry clearance fell short to Turkoglu once again and the Turkish forward hammered the ball into the bottom corner.
Northern Ireland probed as the half wore on. Maxwell looked lively down the right flank, while Lauren Wade worked tirelessly down the opposite flank.
On 43 minutes Turkiye striker Kader Hancar slipped the ball past Northern Ireland captain Laura Rafferty and bore down on goal, however she dragged her shot wide of the post. Moments later Topcu scooped an effort wide.
In injury time Maxwell found space inside the area, however her cross to the back post drifted out of play.
In the 51st minute player of the match Moore, making her first start for the senior team, burst forward through the middle and her on-target snapshot was deflected out for a corner.
The game became a bit scrappy before Turkiye’s Turkoglu let fly on 73 minutes. Her shot from distance went wide of the post.
Substitute Megan Bell pinged a lovely pass to Maxwell down the right, however her cross just evaded another sub, Leyla McFarland, inside the area.
Bell then tested the Turkiye keeper with a well-struck free-kick as Northern Ireland upped the tempo.
Turkish substitute Miray Cin had a shot blocked by Rebecca McKenna as the visitors went in search of a second.
Mason strode forward but a Turkish player intervened as she looked to get a shot off.
Switzerland and Turkiye now have six points after two games, while both Northern Ireland and Malta, who meet in a double header next month, are still searching for their first points in the qualifying group.
Northern Ireland: Lauren Perry, Rebecca McKenna, Ellie Mason, Rebecca Holloway, Laura Rafferty (captain), Natalie Johnson, Danielle Maxwell, Brenna McPartlan, Kascie Weir, Mia Moore, Lauren Wade.
Substitutes: (used) Sarah McFadden, Leyla McFarland, Megan Bell, Casey Howe, Louise McDaniel; (unused) Jackie Burns, Abbie Smith, Keri Halliday, Nadene Caldwell, Aimee Kerr, Caragh Hamilton, Abi Sweetlove.
Turkiye: Selda Agkoz (captain), Elif Keskin, Ilayda Civelek, Eda Karatas, Meryem Kucukbirinci, Ebru Topcu, Fatma Sakar, Basak Icinozbebek, Kader Hancar, Ece Turkoglu, Selen Altunkulak.
Substitutes: (used) Miray Cin, Busem Seker, Melike Ozturk, Halle Houssein; (unused) Goknur Guleryuz (GK), Gamze Yaman (GK), Ipek Kaya, Arzu Karabulut, Derya Arhan, Birgul Sadikoglu, Kezban Tag, Gulbin Hiz, Melike Ozturk.
Action from Mourneview Park
