Women's World Cup: NI all out to make it perfect start to qualifying campaign

NI senior women's team in training for World Cup qualifier
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 21st Sep 2021

Northern Ireland's senior women's team take on Latvia tonight (Tuesday) in their second World Cup qualifying game in five days.

Kenny Shiels' side beat Luxembourg 4-0 in their opener at Inver Park on Friday.

Now they're hoping to make it a perfect start to the campaign with another three points at the National Stadium at Windsor Park later (ko 7 o'clock).

Manager Kenny Shiels puts side through their paces ahead of World Cup qualifier

Shiels said his players were certainly ready.

"The mood is good and the girls are very proud how they have developed over the period and they look forward to every game with the same feeling that they want to win again," he said.

It is the first time they have played at Windsor since it reopened in 2016, and the manager is hoping for a big crowd to roar them on.

"If we had the Green and White Army behind us, we'd beat America!'' Shiels said. "I know that's outrageous, but we'd take on anybody if we have the Green and White Army behind us...

"People don't realise how much that means to modern young footballers in terms of motivation and how they feel good about themselves. It would be great if we could get a crowd into Windsor similar to the men's - it would give us more hope, but we'll battle on.''

NI senior women's side in training ahead of World Cup qualifier against Latvia

Crusaders defender Julie Nelson will earn her 119th cap - equalling the great Pat Jennings - if selected, but Shiels said he would be looking to balance youth with experience, even if that did not necessarily mean choosing the strongest side.

The need to blood youngsters, he said, was more important.

"I would say we're the only country in Europe that adopts this attitude,'' the manager said. We have to think about the future and how we can get better.

"Nobody's certain to get in the team. Demi Vance was left out (against Luxembourg) and she's an exceptional player.

"We have to get the right blend to get a result. We're not about winning 10-0, even though the goal difference would help. If we did that and put out our strongest team in all these matches, we would not progress, we would hit a brick wall.''