NORTHERN Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team are in a strong position to emerge from their European qualifying group despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Kazakhstan WU19s in Tbilisi, Georgia. Gail Redmond’s team dominated but found the opposition keeper to be in unbeatable form.
However, still unbeaten and still to concede, Northern Ireland are well placed as they conclude the group against Estonia at the same venue on Tuesday (1.00pm kick-off BST).
Georgia is hosting the League B Group 5 mini tournament, while the other teams in the group are Estonia and Kazakhstan. The opening round of games saw Northern Ireland hit five without reply past Georgia, while Estonia defeated Kazakhstan by the odd goal in three.
The six group winners and the runner-up in League B with the best record against the teams finishing first and third in their group will be promoted to League A for 2024-25 round one.
Gail Redmond made five changes to the side that started in the victory over group hosts Georgia on Wednesday, handing opportunities to keeper Kate Smith, Rebecca Magee, Niamh O’Donnell, Megan Neill and Sarah Tweedie. Huddersfield Town defender Tweedie was also named captain for the game.
Looking to capitalise on Wednesday’s superb victory, Northern Ireland got off to a great start with Aoibhe O’Neill firing just off target in the opening minute before, moments later, Sofie Keenan sent over a corner for Megan Neill to produce a save from keeper Assel Anuarbek.
The early pressure continued as O’Neill and Niamh O’Donnell had further attempts on goal before Kascie Weir missed the target from yet another Keenan set piece.
Still Gail Redmond’s side pushed forward with Weir and Faye Loughran both having a go, and all with less than 20 minutes on the clock!
The pace did slow a little towards the break, and although Weir threatened again the Kazakh defence successfully deployed the offside trap to catch O’Neill out on a number of occasions as the first half ended scoreless albeit with Northern Ireland very much in control with eight attempts on goal as keeper Kate Smith was a virtual spectator for large periods of the game.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 0-0 Kazakhstan WU19s
It proved to be a similar pattern after the break as Loughran and Kerr had efforts on goal but both were unable to beat Anuarbek.
At the other end Smith was called into action for the first time to deal with an attempt from Diana Nakypbek, but normal service was soon resumed as O’Neill saw an effort block while Wednesday’s hat-trick hero, Rachel McIntyre tested Anuarbek.
And so it continued … Sarah Tweedie was thwarted by a defender, Keenan delivered a succession of corners, Tweedie had another opportunity blocked with yet a further shot drifting just off target.
Pressing hard in the closing moments to secure the points, substitute Mikayla Wildgoose became the latest to have a go before, Anuarbek once more denied Tweedie as the Kazakh goal was continually peppered in the six minutes of added time.
Anastasija Stanyte and Wildgoose right at the end but with Anuarbek proving to be in inspired there was no way through.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 0-0 Kazakhstan WU19s
Northern Ireland: Kate Smith, Rebecca Magee, Niamh O’Donnell, Faye Loughran, Sofie Keenan, Megan Neill, Sarah Tweedie (captain), Aimee Kerr, Rachel McIntyre, Kascie Weir, Aoibhe O’Neill. Substitutes: (used) Orleigha McGuinness, Mikayla Wildgoose, Anastasija Stanyte, Maeve McConaghy, Rebecca Mann; (not used) Erin McAllister (GK), Rhyleigh Marks, Sophie Magee, Abi Sweetlove
