Northern Ireland: senior women's side preparing to face Malta in crunch Euro qualifier

Tanya Oxtoby says they know what they have to do to get a result

Tanya Oxtoby takes training in Malta ahead of tonight's big game
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 12th Jul 2024

Northern Ireland senior women are in Malta tonight (Friday) as they bid to secure a Euro qualifier play-off spot.

They are currently sit third in League B Group 3 with four points from four matches.

The aim for Tanya Oxtoby (main picture) and her players is to finish in second or third in the group, which will guarantee they enter play-offs for places at next year’s Euros in Switzerland.

A win against Malta at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’Qali would see Northern Ireland advance to the play-offs phase of the qualifiers.

Oxtoby was confident ahead of tonight's game.

"We know what we need to do to get the result," she said. "And we want to give ourselves every opportunity by playing to our potential.

"So the only pressure we've got is what we put on ourselves."

And striker Simone Magill (below) told us "everyone is raring to go."

Northern Irelands Simone Magill and Casey Howe during Thursdays training session at the Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, ahead of Friday nights UEFA Women's Euro Qualifier against Malta.