Tanya Oxtoby: Northern Ireland boss says Republic are 'two or three years ahead of us'

Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby believes that the Republic of Ireland are "two or three years" ahead of her team in terms of development.

The Republic topped their Women's Nations League group with six wins from six games following their ruthless display in a 6-1 win against NI.

But Oxtoby believes her team will bounce back from the heavy defeat that condemns them to a relegation play-off.

"This is a learning opportunity for us," she said after the game.

"Where the Republic are at is where our players want to be. The players are really disappointed, they want to perform.

"I have no doubt the group will want to take this and move forward with it."

Northern Ireland managed to subdued the Republic for large spells of the first period at Windsor Park, but quickfire goals from Lucy Quinn and Heather Payne before the break changed the landscape of the game.

Kyra Carusa added a third for Eileen Gleeson's side soon after the restart, with Katie McCabe scoring a magnificent fourth as the floodgates opened.

Louise Quinn and Caitlin Hayes scored headers from corners, either side of Kerry Beattie scoring a consolation for the hosts.

Northern Ireland will find out their play-off opponents for February when the draw is made on 11 December.

Oxtoby was left to rue multiple defensive mistakes which cost Northern Ireland after their promising opening in south Belfast.

"I think when you play a team like this, you see their qualities, and when you make mistakes like we did, you get punished.

"I thought there were some really good patches tonight, we tried to do the right things. We had a really good shape and we executed some of the things we had asked them to do," explained the Australian.

"It was a bit of a sucker punch the deflected first goal and we never recovered.

"It was really positive at half-time, the players were keen to get back out there and we made some tweaks, but I thought we started the second half slow and we were back on the back foot again."

Former Chelsea coach Oxtoby, who has won two of her opening six games in charge, admits that Northern Ireland must improve their defensive capabilities at set pieces, after conceding another two goals from corners.

"Their [Republic of Ireland's] conversion rate off set pieces is immense and our record is not so good defending.

"We know that and were working really hard to try and rectify that, but it is going to take some time."