Image source, Pacemaker Press
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Oxtoby’s side are second in Group B3 ahead of their final qualifier on Tuesday night
Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist at Windsor Park
Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby wants a fast start from her side in their final Euro 2025 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night.
Both sides know a win at Windsor Park will guarantee the second place in the group which brings with it the chance of securing a seeded place in the play-offs in October.
With so much at stake, Oxtoby wants her side to be proactive from kick-off.
“We’re looking to start on the front foot, and we need to set the tone,” she told BBC Sport NI.
“We need a bit of control, we’re at home and we don’t want it being very transitional.”
‘We want a 90-minute performance’
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Watch: Northern Ireland book Euro 2025 play-off with Malta win
Northern Ireland put in a professional display as they beat Malta 2-0 on Friday night to seal their play-off place.
They had to be patient in possession and clinical when chances presented themselves, a similar scenario to when Northern Ireland beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-1 in Zenica earlier in the campaign.
Oxtoby is seeking more of the same from her side on Tuesday night on their return to Windsor Park, where they last played in April.
“We know the threats they have but we need to nullify them and we need to take our opportunities in the final third,” she continued.
“The pitch is looking amazing and for the final game of the group stage we want to put in a good performance that our fans will be proud of.”
The strong second half showing Northern Ireland produced against Malta followed on from a promising display in the first half against Portugal at Mourneview Park.
Oxtoby is now challenging her players to put in a complete performance to end the qualifying campaign on a high and build momentum for October’s play-off.
“I’d love to be able to sit down for 90 minutes!” she joked.
“We’re aiming for that consistency in performance and I feel like we’re getting there but we want a 90-minute performance.”
‘She’s a star’
Image source, Press Eye
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Keri Halliday has emerged as a key player for Northern Ireland this campaign
Oxtoby confirmed that all 23 players are available for selection but was non-committal when asked if there would be changes given the quick turnaround between games.
“We’ll see, today was the first time all the players were back out on the pitch so we’ll assess it,” she said.
The former Chelsea assistant manager has also been impressed with Linfield forward Keri Halliday’s start to her international career.
The 19-year old caught the eye with a string of good performances in her seven caps to date and her boss believes the sky is the limit for the teenager.
“She’s a star and she doesn’t know how good she is going to be,” Oxtoby added.
“We need to make sure that we continue to nurture her and develop here but that we don’t overwhelm her.
“You can see that she plays with a smile on her face and all the girls look after her on and off the pitch and her energy is something everyone else thrives on.”
‘This is only the beginning’
Image source, Press Eye
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Northern Ireland have won two of their five qualifying games so far
Reflecting on the qualification campaign so far which has yielded two wins, two losses and a draw from the five games, Oxtoby was pleased with the progress that has been made.
She does, however, believe that there is plenty more still to come as Northern Ireland look to build upon a solid foundation they have laid this year.
“Where this group started and where we are now, we’ve developed massively,” she said.
“You can see what we’re trying to do and what we are expecting on and off the pitch and we want to continue that on.
“This is only the beginning. We’ve set out for six points [over the two games] in this window, and we want to do it our way and playing our football.”
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