AN improved result from Northern Ireland Women’s Under-19s as they drew 1-1 with Iceland in the final game of their Euro 2025 qualifying tournament in Spain still means they have been relegated to League B for round two of the qualifiers next year.
Midfielder Niamh Boothroyd put the side in front but the Icelanders hit back to level.
Following a heavy defeat to mini tournament hosts Spain and a narrow loss to Belgium in the group, Northern Ireland had to win the game, staged in Murcia, to avoid the drop from League A.
Boss Gail Redmond made two changes to her starting 11 for the team’s third and final game in stage one of the qualifiers for the 2024-25 edition of the UEFA Women’s U19 European Championship.
Clodagh Maguire and Rhianna Breen came in for the suspended Darcie McNeill and Sophie Gargan.
Northern Ireland attacker Rhianna Breen had the first opportunity of the game, however her shot was blocked.
Iceland, who drew with Belgium in their first game and lost 3-0 to the Spanish in their second match, began to assert themselves soon after.
Team captain and lively midfielder Bergdis Sveinsdottir had an effort blocked before steering a couple of shots wide. Then Iceland attacker Sigdis Bardardottir was thwarted.
On the stroke of half-time a Sveinsdottir free-kick was met by fellow midfielder Margret Kristinsdottir, however she missed the target.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 0-0 Iceland WU19s
Iceland pressed hard after the restart. Northern Ireland keeper Kate Smith saved from defender Kolbra Kristinsdottir and Sveinsdottir, while substitute Ragnheidur Jonsdottir and striker Hrefna Jonsdottir had chances in quick succession.
Bardardottir failed to take an opportunity as Iceland looked for the opener, and then both her and Hrefna Jonsdottir had efforts blocked by the hard-working Northern Ireland defence.
On 81 minutes Northern Ireland attacking midfielder Niamh Boothroyd had a chance but she steered her shot wide, however she slotted the ball into the net three minutes later to put Redmond’s side ahead.
The lead was shortlived, however, as Sveinsdottir found forward Isabella Tryggvadottir and she found the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Tryggvadottir and Bardardottir both put efforts wide in added time but the game ended all square.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 1-1 Iceland WU19s
Northern Ireland: Kate Smith, Orleigha McGuinness, Sofie Keenan, Faye Loughran, Abi Sweetlove, Clodagh Maguire, Rachel McIntyre, Niamh Boothroyd, Kascie Weir, Aimee Kerr (captain), Rhianna Breen. Substitutes: (used) Gracie Conway, Anastasija Stanyte, Ellen Hampton. Bernie Ferreira, (unused) Cerys Sharkey (GK), Niamh O’Donnell, Sophie Gargan, Sophie Kelly-Bradley,
Iceland: Sigurborg Sveinbjornsdottir, Lif Joostdottir Van Bemme, Kolbra Kristinsdottir, Jonina Linnet, Helga Einarsdottir, Bergdis Sveinsdottir (captain), Isabella Tryggvadottir, Margret Kristinsdottir, Hrefna Jonsdottir, Freyja Stefansdottir, Sigdis Bardardottir. Substitutes: (used) Ragnheidur Jonsdottir, Bjorg Gunnlaugsdottir, Johanna Halldorsdottir; (unused) Herdis Gudbjartsdottir (GK), Hrafnhildur Halldorsdottir, Brynja Knudsen, Briet Johannsdottir, Olga Einarsdottir, Berglind Hlynsdottir.
