Northern Ireland Women's Football Team

  1. Northern Ireland players line up for a photo before a game

  2. Julie Nelson is Northern Ireland's record caps holder with 130 appearances

  3. Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby

  4. Rebecca McKenna in action against Caroline Graham Hansen

  12. 'No pressure' on Northern Ireland in second leg

    Andy Gray
    BBC Sport NI Journalist

    Rachel DugdalePress Eye

    Rachel Dugdale has become a regular for Northern Ireland under Tanya Oxtoby

    Northern Ireland defender Rachel Dugdale says there is "no pressure" on the underdogs in the second leg of their Euro 2025 play-off in Norway.

    Norway delivered on their favourites tag with a commanding 4-0 win at Inver Park and will look to finish the job in Oslo on Tuesday.

    Dugdale admits that Friday's game was a "tough one" but Tanya Oxtoby's youthful side will learn from the experience.

    "It is a free hit because there is no pressure so let's go for it," said the Blackburn Rovers defender.

    "It's another opportunity to learn. We want to play against these big hitters. It's another test to challenge ourselves.

    "If we want to be playing at the Euros we have to start beating teams like this, so it's another chance to see how we fare against them."

    Caroline Graham Hansen scored twice in the first half while Tuva Hansen also netted before the break.

    Northern Ireland improved in the second half, however Guro Bergsvand added a fourth.

    Dugdale added the half-time team talk by Oxtoby helped the players settle.

    "You're not sure what to expect at half-time when you know you've not been good enough.

    "It can go either way, but it was great of the coaches to stay level-headed. It helped us put in a better second half performance because it was tactical and informative, rather than emotional.

    "You always want to play against the best and see how you fare. It was a great challenge and great experience."

  22. NI can thrive off 'classic underdog tag' - Rafferty

    Andy Gray
    BBC Sport NI Journalist

    Northern Ireland defender Laura RaffertyPress Eye

    Laura Rafferty is hoping to help Northern Ireland qualify for back-to-back Euro finals

    Defender Laura Rafferty says Northern Ireland will have the "classic underdog tag" in their Euro 2025 play-off with Norway.

    Despite the odds favouring Norway, Rafferty believes Northern Ireland can cause a shock and reach the finals in Switzerland next summer.

    The first leg takes place at Inver Park on Friday before the return fixture in Oslo on Tuesday.

    "It's a classic underdog tag that we've worn before," said Rafferty.

    "Coming up against one of the world's best is incredible for us. We've got a young squad but I know that everyone is going to thrive under that."

    Norway have defeated Northern Ireland on three occasions in recent years. Their last meeting ended in a 4-1 win for the Norwegians at the Euro 2022 finals, and they also won both games 6-0 in qualifying for that tournament.

    Northern Ireland reached the play-off with a 2-1 extra-time win over Croatia, while Norway hammered Albania 14-0 on aggregate - including a 9-0 win in Oslo.

    Rafferty is one of 11 players in Tanya Oxtoby's squad who featured for Northern Ireland at the Euro 2022 finals in England.

    She says playing in the country's first major tournament was "one of the best moments of my life" and that feeling is helping to fuel their play-off hopes.

    "It's something you dream of as a kid, especially with a small country like ours," added the Rangers defender.

    "It's something that we're all dreaming of. We've two 90-plus minutes to make that happen.

    "For me, I don't want them to get in the way of our dreams.

    "It's about taking accountability and making sure that our dreams happen."