Nations League: Northern Ireland fall to Iceland in play-off first leg

Northern Ireland's Women put up a stubborn resistance in the first leg of their Women's Nations League Play-Off against Iceland - but ultimately succumbed to a goal in each half from their more experienced visitors.

While there are still 90 minutes to play in Reykjavik on Tuesday for Tanya Oxtoby's side to claw the deficit back, it looks an uphill task, something that was always going to be the case coming into this tie at a bitterly cold Ballymena Showgrounds.

Iceland played in this Summer's Euros and are much further on in their journey than a much-changed Northern Ireland side, shorn of their injured captain and star striker Simone Magill.

But, despite being under incessant pressure for much of this match, Oxtoby's side held firm in large spells and will take heart from a hard-working performance against an established top nation.

With a host of players unavailable to her, through injury or otherwise, Oxtoby opted to use Lauren Wade in an unorthodox left-back role, with Kascie Weir ploughing a lone furrow up front, back up by Louise McDaniel in behind, and Emily Wilson and Caragh Hamilton out wide.

The visitors took control of the tie right from the first whistle, with Northern Ireland struggling to get out of their own half for the majority of the time.

Iceland’s first chance arrived in the sixth minute Sveindís Jónsdóttir's attempted low cross from the right came off the base of the post

Five minutes later, they went close again when Sandra Jessen’s glancing header from 12 yards flew over the bar after a cross from the left. Then on 16 minutes, Northern Ireland were almost architects of their own downfall.

Goalkeeper Jackie Burns came out of her area in an attempt to clear what seemed a relatively innocuous ball through, but completely miskicked. She had captain Nadene Caldwell to thank for getting back to clear Jessen’s shot off the line in what was a big let off for the hosts.

Just past the midway point of the first half Iceland went close once again and for the third time, Jessen couldn't find the net. This time she steered the ball wide from a low centre by Hlín Eiríksdóttir

After Hildur Antonsdóttir headed over on 27, the away side deservedly went in front four minutes later.

Captain Glódís Viggósdóttir was left completely unmarked from a free-kick on the left to direct her header into the bottom corner, well out of the reach of Burns.

They almost made it two a minute later, only for Burns to get down well to her left to keep out a Hlín Eiríksdóttir header.

Then a minute before the break, the livewire Sveindís Jónsdóttir saw her thunderbolt from 20 yards hit the crossbar, following what looked like a fingertip save from Burns as Northern Ireland managed to get in at half-time just the one goal behind.

Despite Iceland remaining on top in the early stages of the second period, Northern Ireland looked much more of a threat without truly troubling the visitors’ goal.

Just after the hour mark, Oxtoby went for a triple change as the vastly experienced Sarah McFadden made her international return for Abi Sweetlove at the heart of the defence. At the other end of the scale, Mia Moore came on for her debut in place of McDaniel, while Kerry Beattie replaced Weir up front.

McFadden announced her return with a crunching tackle on Jónsdóttir two minutes after her arrival, before some last-ditch defending saw the home side keep the ball out after a goalmouth scramble.

Just under 20 minutes from time, Northern Ireland almost levelled it with their first effort on goal as Wilson cut in from the left to curl in a fine effort that flew just wide of the post.

But just over a minute later, Iceland got their second to effectively seal the win.

It was another set piece and another header as Ingibjörg Sigurdardóttir nodded home from a corner with less than 15 minutes remaining.

Oxtoby said in the build-up that her side always play better in the second of two matches against the same side in the same window.

She'll be hoping they can upset the odds next week.

MATCH STATS

Northern Ireland: Burns, McKenna, Sweetlove (McFadden 61), Caldwell (C), Hamilton (McFarland 83), Wade, Bell, McDaniel (Moore 61), Andrews (Kerr 76), Wilson, Weir (Beattie 61)

Subs not used: Harvey-Clifford (GK), Smith (GK), Johnson, Halliday, Finnegan, Howe

Iceland: Runarsdottir, Heidarsdottir, Sigurdardottir, Viggosdottir (C), Arnadottir, Vilhjamlsdottir (Andradottir 76), Johannsdottir (Tryggvadottir 76), Atonsdottir, Jessen, Jonsdottir, H Eiriksdottir (Zomers 68)

Subs not used: Ivarsdottir (GK), Birkisdottir (GK), A Eiriksdottir, Asgeirsdotir, Kristjansdottir, Olafsdottir Gros, Albertsdottir, Palmadotir, Halldorsdottir

Referee: Eleni Antoniu (Greece)

Attendance: 2,184