Oxtoby proud NI 'did not crumble' in Norway loss

Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby said she was pleased her side "did not crumble" in their 4-0 defeat by Norway in the first leg of the Euro 2025 play-off at Inver Park.

Tuva Hansen scored either side of a Caroline Graham Hansen double in a ruthless first-half display by a star-studded Norway side.

However, Northern Ireland were much improved in the second half, conceding just once and Oxtoby was delighted with the character shown from her young team.

"I'm proud of the players, you know at 3-0 down in the first half we could have crumbled, and we spoke a lot in the week of resilience and making sure we stayed in the tie," she told BBC Sport NI.

"We made some tweaks at half-time and the positivity in the changing room and togetherness was exceptional."

'We need to learn quickly against a good side'

Northern Ireland changed their shape at half-time after a passive first-half display.

Chloe McCarron was introduced for Danielle Maxwell for the second half and she added more steel and aggression to a midfield that was overrun in the first 45 minutes, with the brilliant Graham Hansen elusive.

"I thought second half we came out more aggressive and on the front foot and we had more of the ball," Oxtoby continued.

"We changed the shape a bit to be better on the ball, Maxi coming off, it wasn't because she had done anything wrong, we wanted to change shape and get more pressure on the ball.

"I thought the players were excellent with their tactical flexibility and closing down the spaces Norway were trying to exploit."

Oxtoby admitted the goals Northern Ireland conceded were disappointing but felt the game will provide a steep learning curve for her side.

"They're a great team, they will cause you problems, so we just need to learn and grow from that," she added.

"I thought to go in at half-time in the position we were given how we started, it allowed us to be positive in the second half."

Looking ahead to the second leg in Oslo, with their hopes of reaching a second successive Euros all but over, Oxtoby's focus is on improving her side's performance.

"It is a really good challenge on a big pitch against a great team," she said. "It's the same approach that we had to this game, it is about us and the bigger picture we need to continue to grow and learn quickly against a good side.

"It is about our performance on Tuesday night we have standards to uphold, there will be no taking our foot off the gas."