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Sunday, November 9, 2025

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Northern Ireland Under-17 edged out

Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Turkiye in a Euro qualifier staged in Luxembourg.

The Irish Football Association is set to stage the UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship from 3 to 16 May next year –

and Northern Ireland qualify for the tournament as hosts. However, as preparation for the 2026 Euros, Northern Ireland’s WU17s are taking part in the qualifiers this month. They are playing Turkiye and Luxembourg in round one of the qualifiers – in League B Group 4.

There was good early pressure from Northern Ireland, with good work from Abbie Smyth and Emilee Leacock. In the eighth minute Smyth fired in a shot from distance which went inches over the bar. Northern Ireland’s Maja Stachura had the ball in the net a minute later, however she was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.

Turkiye, who defeated Luxembourg 3-1 in their opening group game, opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Centre forward Sevda Demirtas pounced on a loose ball and finished well from the edge of the penalty area. Two minutes later Northern Ireland keeper Sophie Glover produced a couple of saves in quick succession to thwart Turkish attacker Yasemin Gur.

On 30 minutes Charlotte Havern’s shot from distance was comfortably saved by Turkish keeper Melis Gunes, while Glover got down well to save a long range effort from defender Elif Berra and then kept out an attempt from Turkiye captain Elvin Balci.

Glover saved a shot from Gur just after the restart, while Northern Ireland substitute Annarose Robinson won the ball back, drove into the box and guided an effort just wide of the target down the other end.

Glover was called into action again to thwart defender Isra Sila and then, following good work by Daisy Moore and Leacock, midfielder Havern had a shot saved by the Turkish keeper.

On 68 minutes Leacock delivered an excellent cross which was controlled by Robinson and she swept the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-1. Two minutes later Gunes saved another drive from Smyth.

In the 76th minute Northern Ireland conceded a penalty for a foul on Burcu Ozsoy – and Gur stepped up to slot in the spot kick.

After that Northern Ireland upped the tempo as they went in search of an equaliser. Havern smashed a free-kick against the woodwork, Gunes saved a header from captain Chloe Beckinsale and, in the final minute, Robinson’s header was kept out by Gunes.

The victory means Turkiye (two wins out of two) have been promoted to League A for the second round of qualifiers next spring.

The second and final B4 game for Redmond’s team is against Luxembourg on Sunday (9 November) at Terrain Kuerzwenkel in Consdorf. It has a 2pm GMT start.

After the match Redmond said: “Unfortunately today mistakes cost us. We responded well in the second half with excellent determination and created many chances but could not find a way to be ruthless in front of goal.

“Sunday’s game will give us an opportunity to defend well and play with confidence on the ball. We are looking forward to putting a few wrongs right.”

Turkiye: Melis Gunes, Defne Damla, Burcu Ozsoy, Isra Sila, Elif Berra, Elvin Balci, Yasemin Gur, Ela Tong, Sevda Demirtas, Buket Ozsoy, Elanil Temelkuran. Subs: Dilarasu Pilic, Selin Pehlivan, Elif Esra Sanli, Ozdemir Gokce, Yaren Demir, Beyza Kaygusuz, Gulnur Kaplan, Selin Mehmedov, Esra Turudu.

Northern Ireland: Sophie Glover, Daisy Moore, Holly Hilton, Mirjana Karrabecaj, Chloe Beckinsale, Heidi Curran, Grace Campbell, Charlotte Havern, Maja Stachura, Emilee Leacock, Abbie Smyth. Subs: Ella Wasson, Annarose Robinson, Grace Steele, Ava Hurl, Madison Bell, Ellie McGarrigle, Ruby Adair, Anayah Lee, Charley McMullan.  

(irishfa.com)  

 

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