Tuesday 01, December 2020 marks the day where Wales’ and Northern Ireland’s women’s team will play very important fixtures tonight in order to to qualify for the 2022 Euros Tournament in England.
Wales are currently level on 11 points with Northern Ireland in Group C. But Kenny Shiels’ side will be in a play-off game if they win at home to the Faroe Islands after they recorded a crucial 3-2 win over Belarus on Friday.
Northern Ireland’s women’s team, who beat the Faroe Islands 6-0 in the reverse fixture, has never previously taken part in a major championship or been in a play-off to reach one. So this marks a historic moment for Northern Irish women’s football.
Wales need to beat Belarus and hope that Northern Ireland drop points against the Faroe Islands, who are bottom of Group C with no wins from six matches, no goals scored and 37 conceded.
Should both teams finish on the same number of points, Northern Ireland will finish higher by virtue of scoring two away goals in their 2-2 draw with Wales in Newport last year.
Starting lineups
Lets have a look at the two starting teams as they go into their separate fixtures.
Kick off
And we’re off…
4′ GOAL Torolvsdottir It’s an awful start for Northern Ireland as Djurhuus’ shot is scuffed, but it favoures her side as it falls for Torolvsdottir as she scores to put Faroe Islands 1-0 in the very early stages of the game.
7′ GOAL Rachel Furness A corner for Northern Ireland gets delivered into the box as the Faroe Island Goalkeeper Joensen fails to grasp the ball. Rachel Furness dives towards the ball to head it into the net bravely as Northern Ireland draw level at 1-1 with a hectic start to the game.
4′ Whereas, over during the Wales game, Belarus seem to be having most of the ball as Valeryia Bohdan’s shot just misses the goal after good passages of passing play.
22′ Northern Ireland come close to making it 2-1 as Julie Nelson delivers a beautiful pass to Lauren Wade. Wade then crosses the ball to Emily Wilson who shoots but the shot did not have enough power on it as it results in a save from Joensen.
11′ In the Wales game, an amazing cross from Filion Morgan finds the head of Natasha Harding who bends the ball into the top right corner but just misses the net.
27′ GOAL Kirsty McGuinness McGuinness does extremely well to cut in on her right foot just outside the box as she buries the ball into the goal to put Northern Ireland 2-1 up after initially trailing. Can they hold on to their lead?
15′ GOAL Natasha Harding After Jessica Fishlock finds space in the box, she squares it to Harding, who on her second swipe at the ball, manages to score as the ball trickles past the keeper to give Wales a crucial 1-0 lead against Belarus.
24′ Jessica Fishlock lays the ball off to Sophie Ingle outside of the box as she blasts the ball right at the Belarus Goalkeeper, Nataliya Voskobovich. Voskobovich does well the catch the ball as Wales dominate the opening stages of the game.
40′ For Northern Ireland, McGuinness forces the ball forward but the ball didn’t get any lift as a wasted opportunity beckons as the ball goes wide with no one on the end of it to score.
31′ Jessica Fishlock seems to be the main playmaker so far for Wales as she receives a header and crosses amazingly to Filion Morgan who heads the ball towards the top right hand corner. However, despite beating the keeper, she hits the post and danger is avoided for Belarus.
45’+1′ Northern Ireland go into the break at Half Time with a 2-1 lead against Faroe Islands. They show amazing potential in ball possession and they have created a lot of chances in the game. Can they score even more to maintain possible European qualification?
35′ GOAL Rachel Rowe Rowe receives the ball from Morgan and passes to Angharad James receiving a one touch pass back as she shoots from and angle and the ball dips into the net as Rowe scores a wonder goal to put Wales 2-0 up against Belarus.
45’+1′ After a cleared Belarus corner the first half ends. It’s now Half Time for Wales as they go into the break with a 2-0 win. As it stands between the two teams, the score line doesn’t change the table results as Wales will have to score one more to stand a chance at qualifying.
47′ As Northern Ireland open the second half, Marissa Callaghan receives the ball just a few metres out after Joensen deflects a quick attempt from McGuiness. However, it amounts to nothing as Callaghan’s shot is missed as she drags it wide. Very unfortunate for Northern Ireland not to be 3-1 up but it’s still early in the second half.
56′ GOAL Chloe McCarron McCarron receives a pass from Lauren Wade as she takes a touch onto her right foot from distance. Her shot bends immensely over the keeper to put Northern Ireland up 3-1 as they extend their lead even more. Northern Ireland are dominating in the game now as the win surely looks like it’s secured.
51′ As Wales play during the second half, they display good passing play to advance down the left wing. But it results in nothing as Rowe gives away a foul. You get the feeling that Wales are getting desperate after possible news about their competitors that are Northern Ireland.
57′ A freekick is given to Belarus as Morgan fouls Anastasiya Shuppo. As the kick is taken by the captain, Anastasiya Sheherbachenia, it rockets towards the goal from the edge of the box and smashes the bar. Anastasiya Novikova follows up with the header but the keeper saves as the opportunity is missed. This is Belarus’ best chance to score in the game so far but they are unlucky to not convert.
75′ Northern Ireland do well to regain possession as substitute Samantha Kelly shoots with her left foot from outside the box, but her shot is tipped over the bar by Joensen.
76′ GOAL Caitlin McGuinness From the corner, the ball falls to Furness and as she shoots, the shot pings around the box like a pin ball as it then falls to C.McGuinness. She then taps it in to score as they extend their lead to 4-1. An amazing evening for both the McGuinness sisters as surely it looks like Northern Ireland will go through to qualify as over in Wales, Wales still stay at 2-0.
69′ Rachel Rowe wastes another opportunity for Wales as she aimlessly shoots from far out as her attempt doesn’t end up on target. You get the feeling that Wales are getting a little desperate.
71′ PENALTY Natasha Harding and YELLOW CARD Anastasiya Linnik As Harding recieves a pass from Rowe in the box, Linnik commits a dangerous challenge as she fouls Rowe. Linnik recieves a yellow card as a result of her reckless challenge as Rowe hits the ground hard.
72′ GOAL Jessica Fishlock Fishlock scores as she puts it into the bottom right hand corner to make it 3-0 to Wales. They still haven’t got enough to qualify as Northern Ireland lead 4-1 against Faroe Islands.
86′ GOAL Rachel Furness From yet another corner by K.McGuinness the ball is forced in by Rachel Furness as it takes a touch off of a defender as she bags hers second of the match.
90’+4′ So it ends 5-1 in Belfast as Northern Ireland defeat Faroe Islands and look to secure their historic qualifying result in Group C. As it stands 3-0 for Wales, Northern Ireland have scored more goals and are set to qualify along with Norway to go to the Euros.
81′ Back over in Wales, substitute Lily Woodham delivers a through ball to in form Fishlock but Voskobovich sprints out to claim the ball and avoid any danger.
90’+ 4′ It ends 3-0 to Wales against Belarus. Although Wales win and score some sensational goals, they had to work hard against Belarus as the two teams displayed some immense passing and chances. So, it’s official that Northern Ireland qualify for the 2022 Euros as they scored more goals tonight. Congratulations to Northern Ireland, how far can they go in the tournament?
