Northern Ireland narrowly lost out to Switzerland in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier in Lurgan this evening.
It was the final League B Group 2 game for both teams and group winners Switzerland showed their power and prowess, especially in the first half.
Northern Ireland had bags of grit and determination throughout as they went toe to toe with the Swiss.
Debutant Emily Cassap scored a wonder goal in the 85th minute in front of just over 1000 fans at Mourneview Park to ensure Switzerland had a nervy finish to the game, which ended 2-1 in their favour.
Danielle Maxwell fired in a shot in the first minute, however the ball was easily collected by Swiss keeper Elvira Herzog.
Rebecca Holloway put in a couple of fine covering tackles as Switzerland pressed.
The visitors had a few shots in quick succession. Leila Wandeler curled an effort wide, while Noelle Maritz missed the target before blasting another shot inches wide.
Maxwell was then put through by Keri Halliday, however Herzog was equal to her strike.
Switzerland continued to push forward. Geraldine Reuteler fired a shot over the top from distance and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic curled an effort wide.
On 27 minutes Northern Ireland keeper Jackie Burns dived full length to push a strike from Wandeler around the post.
Switzerland took the lead two minutes later. Wandeler held off her marker and laid the ball back to Reuteler just inside the area and her low drive flew into the net off the post.
Burns did well to push a deflected cross from Smila Vallotto over the bar as the Swiss went in search of a second goal.
Switzerland made it 2-0 in the 40th minute. Reuteler turned provider this time. She jinked past her marker and fired a low cross into the area where the ball was swept home by Vallotto.
At the start of the second half Halliday fired in a low cross which was gathered in by Herzog.
Northern Ireland enjoyed more possession after the restart, however they found it difficult to unlock the Swiss defence.
Holloway produced a decent block as Seraina Piubel bore down on goal.
In the 73rd minute Northern Ireland substitute Cora Chambers raced into the area where she was surrounded by Swiss defenders and the ball was cleared for a corner.
Aimee Kerr delivered the resulting corner. The ball was headed down by Holloway inside the area. It bounced off a Swiss defender and fell to substitute Nat Johnson who scooped a shot wide of the post.
Piubel and Reuteler threatened down the other end, however Northern Ireland captain Rebecca McKenna managed to clear the danger.
On 84 minutes Cassap appeared from the bench to make her senior international debut for Northern Ireland – and the 19-year-old midfielder made an instant impact.
A minute after coming on fellow substitute Mia Moore won the ball down the right and played it into a central area. Cassap got on the end of the pass, after rolling away from her marker, and curled a superb shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards. It was an absolute peach of a goal.
In the closing stages Fi Morgan let fly from distance, however her effort was held by Herzog. And then a long throw from Ellie Mason nestled in the Swiss keeper’s arms.
Stage one of the European qualifiers for FIFA Women’s Cup 2027 in Brazil have now drawn to a close. Northern Ireland finished third in B2 behind the Swiss and second-placed Turkiye and they all now face two rounds of play-offs in October and November/December for berths at next year’s World Cup.
Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna (captain), Ellie Mason, Rebecca Holloway, Fi Morgan, Brenna McPartlan, Danielle Maxwell, Joely Andrews, Lauren Wade, Keri Halliday, Aimee Kerr.
Substitutes: (used) Casey Howe, Natalie Johnson, Cora Chambers, Mia Moore, Emily Cassap; (unused) Lauren Perry, Maddy Harvey-Clifford, Abi Sweetlove, Megan Bell, Leyla McFarland, Nadene Caldwell, Kelsie Burrows.
Switzerland: Elvira Herzog, Julia Stierli, Noelle Maritz, Ana-Maria Crnorgorcevic, Viola Calligaris, Geraldine Reuteler, Leila Wandeler, Lia Walti (captain), Seraina Piubel, Lia Kamber, Smila Vallotto.
Substitutes: (used) Nadine Riesen, Alayah Pilgrim, Coumba Sow, Lydia Andrade, Amina Muratovic; (unused) Livia Peng (GK), Lourdes Romero (GK), Noemi Ivelj, Ella Touon.
Action from Mourneview Park
