After defeating Croatia at the weekend Alfie Wylie’s side went into their first home game of the campaign with high hopes against their Nordic visitors.
Indeed, they put up a great display and despite being under constant pressure managed to keep Iceland at bay at half-time thanks to a superb display from ‘keeper Emma Higgins while Demi Vance had a couple of efforts on goal.
Wylie’s side took the game to their highly rated opponents after the break with Rachel Furness, who scored the winner against Croatia, testing ‘keeper Thóra Helgadóttir on a number of occasions while Danielle McDowell could also point to an effort on goal.
However, they were rocked with what proved to be the winner just 12 minutes from time when substitute Katrín Ómarsdóttir, only on the pitch for just over ten minutes, breached the home defence.
Speaking afterwards, Wylie said: “I’m disappointed with the result but absolutely delighted with that performance. I could not have asked any more from the girls.
“They are 52 places above us in the world rankings but we went out and matched them and were desperately unlucky not to get something out of the game. I am so proud of how the girls played.”
Northern Ireland are next in World Cup action in March 2010 with a double header against group leaders France.
Northern Ireland: Higgins, Caldwell, Bailie, Simpson, Nelson, Hutton, McKenna, Turner, Furness, McDowell, Vance subs Patterson (not used), Armour (not used), Stewart (not used), Venney (not used), McMullan (not used), Bergin (replaced McKenna 83), Gillespie (not used)
Team Pic
Rachel Furness
Rachel Furness
Rachel Furness beats Sif Atladottir
Rachel Furness
Kimberley Turner and Olina Vidarsdottir
Helen McKenna
Helen McKenna takes on Olina Vidarsodottir
Demi Vance has a shot on Goal
Danielle McDowell weaves through the Icelandic Defence
2 Captains
