Two home nations are just 90 minutes away from potentially earning themselves a Play off for UEFA Euro 2022.
Both Northern Ireland and Wales sit on 11 points in Group C, but with UEFA Competition regulations branding goal difference almost irrelevant, Northern Ireland hold the upper hand with their head to head away goals despite having a much worse goal difference. The Northern Irish also hold the upper hand by way of their final group game coming up against the Faroe Islands at Seaview in Belfast. The Faroes have conceded 37 goals in their 6 games so far in qualification, which includes an 11-0 loss at the hands of Norway. Meanwhile, Wales host Belarus in a game where they must better Northern Irelands result in their game. This means that the Welsh very much have to put faith in the Faroe Islands doing them a favour and getting a shock result at Seaview.
Follow the action here…
Lineups- Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands-
Northern Ireland-
Burns, Callaghan, McFadden, Hutton, Nelson, Wade, Furness, McCannon, Caldwell, Wilson, McGuiness
Kick Off- Northern Ireland v Belarus-
1’- A sign of things to come? An early strike from Caldwell which is comfortably saved by the Faroe Islands Keeper.
4’- SURELY NOT? GOAL FAROE ISLANDS. A huge shock on the cards here. An unexpected venture forward from the Faroes. A Djurhuus shot that’s deflected into the path of Torolsvdottir.
6’- Normal service resumed. Goal for Northern Ireland. A corner played on and Joensen made a mess of it allowing Furness to head home.
Lineups- Wales v Belarus-
Wales-
Belarus-
Prior to Kick off the Belarusian side decided against taking the knee as a protest against racism.
Kick Off- Wales v Belarus-
NI v FI: 14’- Some sloppy passes from Northern Ireland. The Faroe Islands unsurprisingly happy to sit in.
NI v FI: 22’- Wonderful cross field ball by Julie Nelson which found Wilson who couldn’t quite turn the ball home from close range.
WAL v BLR: 10’- Cagey start in the Wales game. I suspect they may have
NI v FI: 27’- GOALLLL NORTHERN IRELAND- After some sustained pressure Kirsty McGuiness settled Irish nerves by cutting in on her right foot and curls it into the bottom corner.
WAL v BLR: 14’- WALES DOING THEIR BIT- Goal for Wales almost instantaneously after Northern Ireland have scored. Great strength from Fishlock who plays the ball into Natasha Harding. Harding got slightly lucky with a the ball breaking to her and at the second bite of the cherry she strokes home. Wales have to focus on getting the win for themselves and allow whatever may be to play out at Seaview.
NI v FI: 38’- Faroe Islands starting to look stretched. Nelson ghosts into the area and is denied by a last ditch block.
WAL v BLR: 27’- First half Substitution for Belarus, Olkhovik is replaced seemingly tactically by Krasnova.
WAL v BLR: 31’- Huge chance for Wales to make it 2-0 as Fishlock once again is the creator, this time for Ffion Morgan who headed the ball onto the post. Wales looking good at the moment.
Half Time: Northern Ireland 2-1 Faroe Islands-
WAL v BLR: 35’- Rachel Rowe curls a beautiful strike in from the edge of the box into the top corner. The keeper rooted to the spot and doesn’t move as the ball floats into the top corner. Wales doing what they need to do.
Half Time- Wales 2-0 Belarus
2nd Half Kick Off- Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands-
NI v FI: 47’- Golden opportunity to make the score line more comfortable falls to Melissa Callaghan. A Strike from Furness is well saved by Joelsen but parried to Callaghan who couldn’t adjust her feet and scoops her shot wide from close range.
NI v FI: 54’- Northern Ireland dominating possession and the game is very much being played in the Faroe’s half.
NI v FI: 56’- WHAT A GOAL- Strike from distance by Chloe McCarron that loops over Joensen to stretch the advantage and surely make the game safe.
2nd Half Kick Off- Wales 2-0 Belarus-
