Michael McArdle has promised his team will “give it a go” against Portugal later today.
Northern Ireland are set to face the Portuguese in the second leg of a FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers round one play-off.
They go in to the game in Portimao in southern Portugal trailing 4-0 from the first leg in Larne on Friday night.
But the senior women’s team manager believes his players can make progress by playing against the best teams.
Portugal are currently in 22nd position in the FIFA Coca-Cola Women’s World Rankings compared to Northern Ireland in 50th.
Although a couple of their goals against Northern Ireland were fortunate, the Portuguese neverthess produced some slick attacking football at Inver Park.
McArdle sees today’s match at Portimao Estadio (7.15pm BST kick-off) as an opportunity to go toe-to-toe against a top side and also to try a few new things.
He felt there were a lot of positives from Friday’s game, especially in the second half when Northern Ireland created chances and had a better defensive shape.
He said the second part of the two-legged play-off is an opportunity to progress the group of players and also to progress the team’s identity following a period of upheaval over the past year or so.
McArdle pointed out: “There’s no fear. If you want to grow as a team you have to be uncomfortable. We had uncomfortable moments on Friday night, however that will help us in the long run.
“It’s a chance for us to increase the bravery and go for it a bit more so that we stretch ourselves. We will give it a go.”
He admitted the communication and organisation of his team behind the ball had been disappointing in Larne, especially in the first half, and he is seeking an improvement on that front.
Portugal topped their League B group in stage one of the European Qualifiers, winning five out of their six games, while Northern Ireland finished third in their League B group behind Switzerland and Turkiye.
The Portuguese produced some quality football on Friday night, with most of it emanating from their more experienced players.
Galatasary striker Jessica Silva (31) notched another international goal, bringing her tally to 21 in 136 appearances for her country.
Former Bristol City Women and Brighton and Hove Albion Women midfielder Tatiana Pinto (32), who now plays for Juventus, kept things ticking over nicely in the middle of the park. She has scored eight times in 138 appearances for Portugal.
Another key operator in the engine room was Porto midfielder Fatima Pinto (aged 30, 104 caps) who grabbed her sixth international goal in Larne.
They were ably supported by some younger players in Real Madrid’s Andreia Jacinto (24), now with 63 caps and one goal, and Andreia Faria (26) of Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, who has scored three goals in 44 appearances for her country.
Up front Sporting’s Telma Encarnacao proved to be a real handful. The striker, who turned 25 at the weekend, won her 45th cap in Larne where she opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Encarnacao, who has six goals in her six games for Sporting this season, now has 45 caps and nine international goals under her belt.
At the back 28-year-old Diana Gomes of Benfica earned her 70th cap (eight goals) and 24-year-old Fiorentina defender Carolina Correia won her 10th senior cap for Portugal.
The game is being streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website. You can also follow it on Northern Ireland social channels.
