The target of a promotion Play-Off with a place among Europe’s elite in League A of the Nations League has been achieved. That’s really all that matters and now Oxtoby and her players will await Friday’s draw to see just who stands between them and the cream of the continent.
It wasn’t a particularly exciting result, nor a performance to get too excited about after a solid opening and Simone Magill’s 23rd-minute goal, but it didn’t have to be.
Northern Ireland knew that a draw in Zenica would be enough to secure a Play-Off for a place in League A — and they did just enough.
Whatever the result, the standard of the performance both individually and collectively clinching second place in the group, one higher than in the last Nations League, is a clear marker of progress and also something to take satisfaction from.
Northern Ireland team line up before Tuesday evenings Women’s Nations League game against Bosnia & Herzegovina at the FF BH Football Training Centre, Zenica.
It was all about how Northern Ireland controlled the game, outside of a short period after taking the lead.
Bosnia had been on the front foot at the start, but Northern Ireland took the sting out of the game early before getting to grips with things, enjoying possession and getting forward, mostly down the right where the recalled Danielle Maxwell was a constant danger supported by Rebecca McKenna while Megan Bell broke forward regularly from midfield.
You felt a goal was coming and the move that created it was both slick and simple. It started from goalkeeper Jackie Burns who played out to Rebecca Holloway on the left. She progressed into the Bosnia half and sent a through ball for Magill to race on to. She easily outpaced the defence and knocked the ball with the outside of her right foot through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Twenty-three minutes in and Northern Ireland had executed the perfect away performance.
The hiccup, which has almost become customary when in front during this particular campaign, wasn’t far away though. Northern Ireland hadn’t looked as comfortable with the lead and Bosnia pounced on those nerves when Gloria Sliskovic’s lofted ball found Sofija Krajsumovic in behind Holloway and when Ellie Mason failed to stop her progress on the edge of the box, the striker wrong-footed Burns and sent her shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
Had Northern Ireland scored when McKenna’s chipped pass set up a gilt-edged opportunity for Bell, sending her through one-on-one with the goalkeeper 20 yards out, that may well have swung the momentum back in their favour again, but there was relief too when Una Rankic hit the base of Burns’ left-hand post just before half-time.
Northern Ireland’s Simone Magill with Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Almina Hodžić
Oxtoby didn’t hesitate in trying to impact the game from the bench, sending Emily Wilson and Keri Halliday into the action at the break in a really attacking move.
Both caused problems for the Bosnia defence on the right and Lauren Wade managed to get higher on the left too, but without breaking down a strong and tight Bosnia defence bar a few fleeting moments.
The fact that Burns had next to nothing to do in the second half says a lot about the control Northern Ireland had. There was just no opening up the wall of blue at the other end and with Bosnia needing a win to have a chance of getting into second themselves, it was a surprise they didn’t show more adventure.
Oxtoby clearly wasn’t for settling for the draw though, even withdrawing Bell, who had been impressive in midfield, in favour of Kascie Weir to go even more attacking in the final stages.
Still, there was no way through. It didn’t matter much though. It’s job done and now the Play-Off awaits in October.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Hodzic, Sabanagic, Sliskovic, M Hasanbegovic, Muhic, Husic (Grebenar
78 mins), Rankic (Veletanlic 87 mins), Milinkovic, Krajsumovic (Milovic 90 mins), Nikolic, Kapetanovic (Hadzic 78 mins). Unused subs: E Hasanbegovic, Dumanjic, Juric, Gacanica, Krajnic, Brnic, Aida.
Northern Ireland: Burns, Dugdale, Mason, Holloway (Johnson 59 mins), McKenna, McPartlan, Bell (Weir 72 mins), Andrews (Halliday 46 mins), Wade (Hamilton 90 mins), Maxwell (Wilson 46 mins) Magill. Unused subs: A Smith, K Smith, Furness, Kerr, Caldwell, McDaniel, Sweetlove.
Referee: Hristiyana Guteva (Bulgaria)
Player of the match: Megan Bell
Match rating: 6/10
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Northern Ireland performed well in the first half, but the second period was something of a slog. Thankfully, Tanya Oxtoby’s team got the job done.
Northern Ireland finish second in their group, securing a place in the promotion play-off. More importantly, they avoid relegation to League C. This result condemns Bosnia to that fate.
And there’s the full-time whistle!
It’s a corner to Northern Ireland. The clock ticks down
Two minutes of stoppage time to play.
Someone really needs to tell Bosnia they’re about to be relegated, because there is no urgency in their play whatsoever.
Six minutes of added time. Can Northern Ireland hold on to secure a play-off spot and avoid relegation?
I said Bosnia would throw the kitchen sink at Northern Ireland in the last few minutes. It hasn’t happened so far. They’ve barely had the ball in the last ten minutes.
Ellie Mason tries her luck from 25 yards. Well held by the Bosnian keeper
It’s played short. A nice move gives Kerri Halliday the chance to have a shot on goal. It’s held by the Bosnian goalkeeper
Wilson cross is nodded behind for a corner kick to Northern Ireland. This will eat up a few seconds.
There’s really not a lot going on here. Which suits Northern Ireland down to the ground.
Very tense.
Okay…some bad news. The results elsewhere are going against Northern Ireland. If Bosnia find a winner it’s now likely Tanya Oxtoby’s team will be relegated to League C.
A fourth change from Oxtoby
If Bosnia can find a winner they will move into second spot and the promotion play-off place, while Northern Ireland drop into the relegation play-off.
There’s an outside possibility Northern Ireland could be automatically relegated without a play-off, but hopefully it doesn’t come to that.
That’s better from Northern Ireland.
Holloway is hooked after picking up that booking
Bosnia on top at the moment.