NI secure draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina to secure promotion play-off spot

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Northern Ireland secured a promotion play-off place despite a nervy 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group B1 of the Women's Nations League.

The visitors knew a draw would be enough to secure second place in the group, and captain Simone Magill opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after latching onto Rebecca Holloway's through ball.

However, Bosnia equalised six minutes later when Sofija Krajsumovic capitalised on some soft Northern Ireland defending.

Both sides had chances to find a winner but Bosnia could not force the goal for the victory that would displace Northern Ireland from second place.

Tanya Oxtoby's side will now face a promotion play-off with either Austria, Iceland, Belgium or Denmark, who finished third in their respective League A groups.

Magill's opener cancelled out

Simone Magill scores a goal in ZenicaPress Eye

Simone Magill, who also scored twice in the reverse fixture in February, netted the opening goal in Zenica

Northern Ireland held a three-point margin over Bosnia heading into the fixture, and advantage in the head-to-head thanks to February's dramatic 3-2 win at Inver Park.

Bosnia made a bright start as Marija Milinkovic headed wide in the early stages, before the midfielder had another effort cleared away by Holloway and Krajsumovic smashed the rebound wide.

Northern Ireland grew into the game and their first attack came when Danielle Maxwell's cross was inches away from Lauren Wade, and Magill was also close to the opener when she tried to slide onto Joely Andrews' touch in the area.

Magill had an even better chance when Megan Bell found the forward in the area, but Bosnia keeper Almina Hodzic made herself big to deny the Northern Ireland captain.

Minutes later, Magill was not to be denied when she raced onto Holloway's perfect through ball and the Birmingham City striker kept her composure to poke the ball into the bottom corner in the 23rd minute.

However, Northern Ireland's lead lasted only six minutes and the hosts drew level when Krajsumovic got in behind Holloway and beat Ellie Mason to the ball.

In sweltering heat, the CSKA Moscow winger kept her cool to slot the ball beyond Jackie Burns.

EMily Wilson in action for Northern IrelandPress Eye

Northern Ireland finished in second place in Group B1 behind Poland, with Bosnia-Herzegovina three points back on NI

Northern Ireland responded well and had chances through Bell, who was denied by Hodzic, and Brenna McPartlan, who fired over at the back post from a corner.

However, the hosts almost took the lead when Bell fouled Milena Nikolic on the edge of the area, and Una Rankic's low free-kick came back off the post.

Despite a lot being on the line in Zenica, the second half was played a slower pace in the sapping heat and Rachel Dugdale had to be alert to block two half efforts for Bosnia captain Nikolic.

Rankic then curled an effort into the arms of Burns from the edge of the area and, at the other end, half-time substitute Keri Halliday found Magill in the area but she could only fire over.

Halliday was involved again as she shot into the arms of Hodzic, but the slower pace suited Northern Ireland and they got the draw they needed to have a chance to win promotion to League A for the first time in the autumn play-off.

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