NORTHERN Ireland Women’s Under-17s have suffered a 3-0 defeat by Iceland WU17s in a Euro qualifier in Scotland.
Unfortunately the defeat means the WU17s finished bottom of their group and have therefore been relegated to League B for phase two of the qualifiers for WU17 Euro 2025. Those games will be played next spring.
Played in Falkirk, WU17s manager Gail Redmond made just one change to the side that started the second of three games in League A Group 4. Northern Ireland lost to Poland (5-0) and Scotland (1-0) in games one and two in A4, while Iceland also lost against Scotland (2-0) and the Poles (1-0).
Jessica McGuinness came back in, while Olivia Campbell had to settle for a place on the bench as Northern Ireland came flying out of the blocks. Charlotte Havern put an effort inches over the bar before Jessica McGuinness and Lucy Kelly both forced saves out of Iceland keeper Anna Arnardottir.
In the fifth minute Northern Ireland were awarded a penalty when striker Ava Hurl was tripped by Iceland defender Anika Jonsdottir. However Kelly’s spot kick was saved by Arnardottir.
Then it was Iceland’s turn to attack. They had a few shots blocked before they took the lead on 24 minutes through midfielder Edith Kristjansdottir.
Northern Ireland keeper and captain Abbie Smith saved a curler from Iceland striker Fanney Johannesdottir before Northern Ireland attacking midfielder Mirjana Karrabecaj shot wide.
Iceland captain Sunna Run Sigurdardottir’s attempt was saved by Smith before Havern and Soley Ingadottir missed the target at either end of the pitch.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 0-1 Iceland WU17s
It was a pretty even contest just after the break. However Iceland doubled their lead on 56 minutes when Thelma Palmadottir teed up midfielder Agusta Valtyrsdottir and she applied the finish.
Northern Ireland pushed hard to get a goal. Substitute Anna Walsh and Karrabecaj tested the Iceland keeper before Johannesdottir put an effort wide and Smith saved from Thelma Palmadottir.
Iceland sub Hildur Snorradottir shot wide before Johannesdottir got on the scoresheet. Thelma Palmadottir once again provided the assist.
Iceland hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages as Northern Ireland heads dropped. Right at the end Northern Ireland substitute keeper Zara Maguire saved from Snorradottir to keep the score at 3-0.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 0-3 Iceland WU17s
Northern Ireland: Abbie Smith (captain), Lillie Horner, Niamh Hassan, Chloe Beckinsale, Sophie Hutchinson, Sophie Pollock, Lucy Kelly, Charlotte Havern, Ava Hurl, Jessica McGuinness, Mirjana Karrabecaj. Subs: (used) Anna Walsh, Ruby Adair, Caitie McGurnaghan, Caitlin Carlisle, Zara Maguire (GK); (unused) Olivia Campbell, Mia Reilly, Ellen McDermott, Tara Kerr.
Iceland: Anna Arnardottir, Soley Ingadottir, Thelma Palmadottir, Anika Jonsdottir, Kristin Barboza, Edith Kristjansdottir (captain), Agusta Valtyrsdottir, Sunna Sigurdardottir, Fanney Johannessdottir, Hrafnhildur Palmadottir. Rebekka Brynjarsdottir. Subs: Eva Jonsdottir (GK), Arnfridur Arnarsdottir, Anna Oskarsdottir, Hildur Snorradottir, Birgitta Finnbogadottir, Hronn Haraldsdottir, Elisa Karadottir, Elisa Bjornsdottir, Isold Porisdottir.
