Meeting point: Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica Date: Friday February 23rd Inception: 13:00 GMT |
Cover: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website with live text updates, reports, reactions and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app |
Captain Marissa Callaghan says Northern Ireland are ready for “two cup finals” in the Women’s Nations League play-offs with Montenegro.
Northern Ireland are looking to retain their League B status after an up-and-down campaign and the play-offs will have an impact on Euro 2025 qualifiers.
The first match will take place in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, on Friday.
“Hopefully everything comes together and we can get a positive result at home,” Callaghan told BBC Sport.
Under Tanya Oxtoby, who was appointed as manager in August, Northern Ireland had an inconsistent campaign that ended with two wins over Albania, a draw and loss against Hungary and two defeats against the Republic of Ireland, the group winners.
Northern Ireland will be favorites to come out on top over the two legs, the second of which takes place at Windsor Park on Tuesday, but Montenegro are a better team than their ranking of 88th in the world would suggest .
“Yeah, I think so,” Callaghan said when asked if she agreed with that assessment.
“I really respect them, they’re a fantastic team and they’ve got really good people. They are strong, direct and score a lot of goals in League C.
“We’re ready to tackle it and hopefully we can steer it and go and get a positive result.”
Oxtoby added that Northern Ireland did not want to be in a play-off with a League B side, but her players are ready to embrace the experience.
“The pressure is a privilege,” added Oxtoby, who has a fully fit squad to choose from.
“From our point of view we are looking to continue to grow and evolve.
“We’re trying to focus on ourselves and it’s a great opportunity to do that, especially away from home.
“In the first game I’m just trying to make sure we keep doing the things we’ve been trying to do. Practice has been great. So I’m really looking forward to seeing them play.”
“Can we do it for 90 minutes?”
![Northern Ireland players in training](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/AE7E/production/_132707644_nigettinginstructions.jpg)
![Northern Ireland players in training](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/AE7E/production/_132707644_nigettinginstructions.jpg)
In League C, Montenegro scored 14 goals in six games and only missed out on automatic promotion after losing to group winners Azerbaijan.
They have won seven of their 11 games in 2023, but Northern Ireland should provide a tougher challenge with a step up in quality.
Callaghan said she was confident Northern Ireland’s work in the build-up to the match would see them adapt to a physical Montenegro side.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re good, tight and compact, but again, we’ve got fantastic players and really good speed and skill in the squad,” he said.
“We’ve just got to make sure we’re focused and we’ve got everything this week. It’s been very challenging but an amazing environment to grow and learn – both individually and collectively.”