After their 2-0 friendly win over Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland began their group games at the Turkish Cup with a 1-1 draw against Romania, who are sixteen places higher in the World Rankings, reports irishfa.com.
However, it was Northern Ireland who took the lead as Linfield midfielder Megan Bell scored her first senior international goal midway through the first half. She was on the end of a great pass by Rachel Newborough to find herself one on one with the Romanian goalkeeper but after the initial shot was saved, she tapped in the rebound.
Northern Ireland were defending resolutely but 16 minutes into the second half Romania found a way through with a near post finish.
The game ended on a sour note with Laura Rafferty picking up a second yellow card but Alfie Wylie’s side were able to see out the final ten minutes for the draw.
Their next game against Ukraine on Sunday will decide where they will feature in the final round of placement matches.
Northern Ireland: Burns, Newborough, Hutton, Holdaway, Foy, Rafferty, McFadden, Sherwood, Callaghan (c), Bell, McGuinness. Subs used: Wade, Lindsay, McMaster
Back-to-back wins for France ‘B’, Mexico & Poland
Having begun by beating Latvia in Group A, Mexico met Jordan and ran out 5-1 winners.
Poland won their first game against Jordan and followed that up with a 2-0 defeat of Latvia.
France ‘B’ earlier put six past Kosovo in Group B and next did likewise against Kazakhstan. Nadjma Ali Nadjim got the first, Kenza Dali netted either side of the interval, with Théa Gréboval, Danielle Tolmais and Lindsey Thomas also getting on the scoresheet.
Elsewhere, Ukraine beat Kosovo 2-0 in an inter-group friendly.
