Q Radio Sport
The Euros dream is alive and kicking for the Northern Ireland senior women’s team after they defeated Belarus 3-2 at Seaview on Friday night.
The result means if Kenny Shiels’ side defeat Faroe Islands at the same venue next Tuesday they will secure a play-off for a place at Women’s Euro 2022 in England.
Kirsty McGuinness claimed two goals - although one cannoned in off the head of the Belarus keeper - while Rachel Furness scored from the spot.
FT: #Euro2022@NorthernIreland 3
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 27, 2020
Belarus 2
Glorious double @SionSwiftsLFC @KirstyMcG11 & great pen @LiverpoolFCW @Furney1988 push NI women to brink of 1st ever Euro play-off. A win v Faroes on Tuesday & they make history. No pressure girls! 🤩 👏 👏 👏#GAWA #GameChangersNI pic.twitter.com/os98kpem3P
Northern Ireland came flying out of the blocks in the C qualifying match and opened the scoring after just two minutes.
Kirsty McGuinness played in Emily Wilson but her shot was pushed away by advancing Belarus keeper Natalia Vaskabovich, however McGuinness met the rebound and rifled the ball home. It was a superb finish.
Belarus had their first effort four minutes later when Anastasiya Linnik let fly from distance and Northern Ireland keeper Becky Flaherty comfortably held it.
On 13 minutes there was a controversial incident. Rachel Furness’ shot was fumbled by Vaskabovich and the ball appeared to drop over the line. Referee Silvia Domingos ruled that it did not cross the line, however. Minutes later the busy Furness had another effort from distance.
In the 16th minute Belarus grabbed an equaliser. Anastasiya Novikava played the ball forward towards Anastasija-Grazyna Shcherbachenia. Flaherty raced off her line but the striker got to the ball first and drove the ball home from 20 yards.
Ten minutes later Furness shot over the top from distance and then a Demi Vance shot was comfortably gathered by the visitors’ keeper.
A low shot from Belarus midfielder Anastasiya Shlapakova was saved by Flaherty before an Emily Wilson cross-cum-shot was pushed over the top by Vaskabovich.
Northern Ireland pushed forward after the break and began to apply pressure.
Furness missed the target before a fine McGuinness delivery from a free-kick was headed over by defender Ashley Hutton. Minutes later McGuinness played in Marissa Callaghan but her low shot from eight yards was smothered by the Belarus stopper.
The girls in green and white took the lead again in the 61st minute via the penalty spot. Furness was hauled down as Vance delivered a free-kick into the area and the ref quickly pointed to the spot. Furness dusted herself down before stepping up to coolly blast the penalty into the corner of the net.
Minutes later Furness twisted and turned just outside the area before firing in a shot from an angle which was saved by Vaskabovich.
Flaherty produced a fine stop from a long range shot from substitute Karyna Alkhovik before Belarus levelled on 67 minutes. Hanna Pilipenka fed Belarus captain Shcherbachenia and she slotted home her second of the night.
Wilson had an effort saved before Northern Ireland restored their lead. McGuinness advanced down the left before unleashing a fierce drive which rebounded off the post but hit Vaskabovich’s back and flew into the net to make it 3-2.
😍 See all three of our goals from Northern Ireland v Belarus ⚽️⚽️⚽️👇🏻#GAWA @ElecIrelandNI #GameChangersNI pic.twitter.com/DSZxg2Ut4w
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) November 28, 2020
McGuinness and Lauren Wade had further opportunities before Furness shot straight at the keeper.
As the game entered the closing stages the visitors stepped it up a gear and Hanna Kaziupa shot inches over the top.
Deep into added time Belarus were awarded a free-kick. Linnik fired it in but Flaherty comfortably collected the ball and that was the last real action of what was often an end to end game.
🎥 “We’re on Cloud 9, unbelievable!” 💬 "We know we need to win and we won't take our foot off the pedal" Match-winner @KirstyMcG11 on crucial win v Belarus and Faroes up next:👇🏻 #GAWA @ElecIrelandNI #GameChangersNI pic.twitter.com/O2VO7c4o7s
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 27, 2020
Northern Ireland: Becky Flaherty, Demi Vance, Julie Nelson, Ashley Hutton, Chloe McCarron, Marissa Callaghan (captain), Nadene Caldwell, Kirsty McGuinness, Rachel Furness, Lauren Wade, Emily Wilson. Substitutes: (used) Abbie Magee, Ciara Watling, Samantha Kelly; (unused) Lauren Perry, Kelsie Burrows, Toni Leigh Finnegan, Joely Andrews, Caitlin McGuinness, Danielle Maxwell, Kerry Beattie.
🎥 One game v Faroe Islands Tuesday, one win needed to clinch a Euro play-off.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 27, 2020
Here's goalscoring hero v Belarus @Furney1988 - @LiverpoolFCW and NI....
"Hopefully, we'll have one more final push and create history for our country." #GAWA pic.twitter.com/gXNiUqVXkm
The men take centre stage on Saturday with action in the Danske Bank Premiership: 