Oxtoby: NI ‘still in the tie’ despite first-leg loss

Despite losing 2-0 to Iceland in their home leg of the Nations League promotion/relegation play-off, Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby claims her team is “still in the tie.”

Thorsteinn Halldorsson’s side put on a strong performance, leading on 31 minutes when Glodis Viggosdottir headed a free-kick past Jackie Burns.

Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir headed home a corner in the 75th minute despite Northern Ireland’s steadfast defense during open play. However, they continued to struggle with set-pieces in the second half.

The performance was exceptional, Oxtoby said, “We don’t celebrate defeat, but we don’t celebrate defeat.”

“That needs to be celebrated,” We haven’t conceded from open play, in my opinion, given how the players carried out the game plan.

We can learn from the fact that “the first goal]is frustrating because I believe it can be avoided in terms of our perspective.

Due to injury, Rebecca Holloway was suspended and Simone Magill, Laura Rafferty, Ellie Mason, and Brenna McPartlan were out for the game.

Mia Moore, the home team’s debutant, fired wide in the final third while Emily Wilson, who was ranked 44th overall, also had a shot that was just off target.

Oxtoby praised her team’s resilience in the opening game and said she was confident for Tuesday’s follow-up game.

“When you play good teams, you’re going to have to suffer and not have the ball as much,” she continued.

In those circumstances, who will you be? We may have understood what the group’s purpose is. They remained united. The next one entered if one was defeated.