Women's Euro 2022: NI preparing to take on Belgium in pre-tournament friendly

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels during Wednesdays training session at Herman Vanderpoortenstadion in Lier ahead of Thursday nights Friendly International against Belgium.

Author: Nigel GouldPublished 23rd Jun 2022

Northern Ireland's senior women's team are in Belgium for a friendly game in preparation for next month's Euros.

it is their only friendly before their Euros opener against Norway on July 7th.

NI women's football squad training in Belgium ahead of friendly

And manager Kenny Shiels admits he would have liked to have played a few more games ahead of the tournament.

We would have loved to have 3 friendlies but we can only get one," he said.

"So that's been the real disappointment because you need to be conditioned to playing against these teams like Belgium, Norway, Austria and England."

Marissa Callaghan (right)

Skipper Marissa Callaghan is in the 24-strong squad but she will not be risked so soon after her toe injury.

The Northern Ireland Women's squad for the friendly against Belgium is:

Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (BK Hacken), Becky Flaherty (Brighouse Town).

Defenders: Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville Ladies), Rebecca Holloway (Racing Louisville), Ashley Hutton (Linfield Ladies), Abbie Magee (Cliftonville Ladies), Sarah McFadden (Durham Women), Rebecca McKenna (Lewes Women), Julie Nelson (Crusaders Strikers), Laura Rafferty (Southampton Women), Demi Vance (Rangers Women).

Midfielders: Nadene Caldwell, Joely Andrews, Chloe McCarron (all Glentoran Women), Marissa Callaghan, Toni-Leigh Finnegan and Louise McDaniel (all Cliftonville Ladies), Rachel Furness (Liverpool Women).

Forwards: Kerry Beattie (unattached), Simone Magill (unattached), Caitlin McGuinness and Kirsty McGuinness (both Cliftonville Ladies), Lauren Wade (Glentoran Women), Emily Wilson (Crusaders Strikers).