Northern Ireland Women's Football Team

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland defender Trai Hume said his side "worked until the end" during their Nations League Group B2 goalless draw against Hungary at Windsor Park.

It was a match of few chances with Michael O'Neill's side coming the closest when Patrick Kelly hit the crossbar in the first half.

The result means that Northern Ireland remain unbeaten since their return to League B and sit top of the group.

"It was a tough game overall," Hume told BBC Sport NI.

"They were good, but we were good as well. We created chances as they did in the second half. Overall, it was an even enough game and a draw is a fair result

"The game in Georgia probably took its toll. It was a long flight and not a lot of rest. We worked until the end and tried to get there but we tired over the 90 minutes."

Northern Ireland know the importance of strong home form and have now lost just one of their previous 10 games at Windsor.

The young squad will now try to use their momentum from the last two games of the international window when they face Ukraine on Friday, before welcoming Georgia to Belfast three days later.

"There are lots of positives from the two games," Hume continued.

"Two clean sheets in two games and we have created multiple chances in the two games.

"I think we are going to have stuff to work on. We have to put the ball in the back of the net and take our chances. However, I think overall the last two games have been good."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Northern Ireland debutant Emily Cassap said her strike just 66 seconds after her introduction was "probably the best goal I have ever scored".

Michael McArdle's side were 2-0 down with five minutes to go after strikes from Geraldine Reuteler and Smilla Vallotto before Cassap made an instant impact off the bench and halved their lead through a stunning shot.

This international window has been the teenager's first camp after making the switch from England, where she played at underage level, to Northern Ireland, earlier in the year.

"I mean I was so surprised when the ball came to me, I just thought 'let's hit it' and I'm so glad it went in," Cassap told BBC Sport NI.

"I think it's probably the best goal I've scored, I just thought I'll have a go and it was unbelievable.

"Switzerland were top opposition, they moved the ball really well and they were really clever with the play, but I think we really went toe-to-toe with them and gave them a good fight. Unfortunately we couldn't get a result, but I thought we played really well."

The Sunderland midfielder qualifies for Northern Ireland through parentage and was a part of NI Under-19s, where she impressed in a short space of time.

Cassap is now the second player that NI manager Michael McArdle has handed their senior debut to after Linfield's Cora Chambers made her first appearance during the last international window.

"It's just been a great experience overall being in camp and I was really delighted to get my debut and that's just a bonus," she continued.

"Lots of my family live in Belfast so they all came out to support, so I think they're all delighted.

"Michael [McArdle] was just delighted for us. He said it's a great goal."

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland manager Michael McArdle said "there were far too many turnovers" during his side's 2-1 defeat against Turkey in Istanbul.

Melike Pekel gave the home side the lead on 26 minutes before Northern Ireland were awarded a penalty and Busem Seker was booked when she handled Fi Morgan's effort on the line.

Megan Bell converted the spot kick with Seker scoring the winner for Turkey in the second half, to the frustration of NI who believed she should have been sent off for the penalty incident.

"I think the first half is one that we need to reflect on, at half-time, the scoreline is 1-1 which I personally think is lucky for us," McArdle said.

"Unfortunately for us, another individual error, particularly in turnovers, so it's still that area that we need to refine and get much better at, is taking care of the ball.

"Particularly at times when there's not a lot of pressure and rushing some of our actions. There were far too many turnovers again."

Despite the result meaning that the side will finish third in Group B2, McArdle added that there are positives to take into the final game.

Northern Ireland now host group leaders Switzerland as they aim to continue to develop ahead of their World Cup play-off later in the year.

"The positive side of it, Fi's first competitive debut and it's been a good, solid, strong performance from us, which I'm delighted about," he continued.

"Lots of players are getting involved, lots of young players. We came here to play an attacking style of football.

"Plenty to learn, but disappointed with the result."