Northern Ireland’s Under-19 women’s team is set to return to ‘the highest level’ as qualification for Euro 2022 kicks off tonight.
The national team will face three qualifying matches for the Second Division League over the next seven days, Wednesday at Inver Park in Malta (19:30).
The other group matches will be played on Saturday (19:30) against the Faroe Islands and on Tuesday (14:00) against Azerbaijan, both at Inver Park.
The goal is to move to the A-League for the 2022-23 season, when the final will be played in Belgium, and the Czech Republic will host the 2022 final this summer.
Northern Ireland were relegated to the second tier after losing in League B to hosts England, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland in a mini-tournament in Limerick in October.
WU19 Senior Expert Alfie Wiley said: “Our main objective in this mini-tournament is to simulate the WU17 that reached the League Playoffs last month.
“WU19 also wants to return to the highest levels. Another goal, of course, is to continue developing the girls. Being in the tournament is a great experience for them.
“There is a lot of unity in the group and the girls worked hard after the Limerick mini tournament.”
Willy made only four changes to his painting of 20 men.
Goalkeeper Lauren Wells, defenders Abby Redmond (Crusaders Strikers), Catherine McConnell (Linfield Lady) and Glentoran forward Cora Morgan arrive in Cliftonville.
Cliftonville goalkeeper Rachel Noren and Lisburn Rangers defender Erin McGraw were injured.
All three matches will be shown live on Northern Ireland’s YouTube channel.
Northern Ireland team
Source: Belfastlive
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