NI LOSE AWAY TO ICELAND
20/06/2010
THE Northern Ireland senior women were in Reykjavik on Saturday for a World Cup Qualifier against Iceland.
Alfie Wylie’s side suffered a massive blow early in the game when captain Ashley Hutton was forced to come off after only 12 minutes. The 22-year-old was then replaced by Alex Hurst.
The home team put some early pressure on the visitors and on 15 minutes took the lead through Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir; however the Northern Ireland girls were unlucky not to pull one back just before half-time with an effort on goal from Rachel Furness on 41 minutes.
In the second half Iceland continued to push forward in search of a second goal, which eventually came on 59 minutes through their captain Katrín Jónsdóttir. Then just before the final whistle, Northern Ireland’s Roisin Havelin was injured and had to be carried off and taken to hospital.
Final score: Iceland 2 – 0 Northern Ireland
“The girls were brilliant and we were unlucky not to get something from the game. Both goals came from headers at set pieces and it was frustrating to concede the goals but we saw a big improvement in our overall performance,” said National Women’s Coach Alfie Wylie.
The Northern Ireland girls will now take on Serbia on Wednesday (June 23) at the Coleraine Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
Admission to the World Cup Qualifier is £2 for adults, children and senior citizens. Members of the Irish FA’s Official Supporters Scheme get in for free on production of their membership card. So make sure you come along and cheer on Alfie Wylie and his side.
