The match started with two solid long-range attempts. In the 2nd minute, Ekić took a shot but was off target. On the other side, Halliday responded in the 4th minute, but her shot also went wide. In the 21st minute, Ekić made a great solo run into the box but hit the side netting. After intercepting a ball in midfield in the 35th minute, Ekić found Jelčić, whose shot went over the bar. In the 42nd minute, Jelčić and Nikolić executed a brilliant one-two through the opponent's defense, but the Northern Irish goalkeeper stopped the shot at the last moment. Just a minute later, the home team had their best chance when Andrews hit the crossbar. Halftime arrived with neither team having scored.
At the start of the second half, in the 47th minute, Northern Ireland took the lead when Andrews scored for 1:0. Just two minutes later, Kapetanović had a chance to equalize, but her shot was off target. After conceding, our team pushed forward, leaving plenty of space for the opponents. In the 67th minute, Wade capitalized on this to increase the lead to 2:0. Despite creating a few solid chances, the score remained unchanged until the end of the match.
Coach Selver Hodžić said after the game: "The first half was good, with several opportunities in an open game. However, in the second half, there was a drop in concentration, and we made a few mistakes which our opponent skillfully took advantage of. We tried to get back into the game, but after a tough match with Portugal, it was clear we lacked energy. A deserved win for Northern Ireland, and now we turn to the playoffs, where we'll try to correct some errors from these last two games and be ready for the next opponent."
Bosnia and Herzegovina finished the first part of the qualifiers in third place in Group B3 with 7 points, behind Portugal (16) and Northern Ireland (10), and ahead of Malta with 1 point. The She-Dragons will find out their opponent for the first playoff round on Friday during the draw in Nyon.
Northern Ireland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 2:0
Venue: Windsor Park stadium
Referee: Monika Mularczyk (Poland)
Goals: Joely Andrews 47, Lauren Wade 67
Yellow card: Ena Šabanagić
BiH lineup: Almina Hodžić, Melisa Hasanbegović, Marija Ana Milinković, Amela Kršo, Gloria Slišković (85' Andrea Čule), Emina Ekić, Marija Aleksić (74' Elma Husić), Dajana Spasojević (69' Ena Šabanagić), Selma Kapetanović (85' Emma Velentalić), Milena Nikolić, Maja Jelčić (69' Minela Gačanica) / Coach: Selver Hodžić
Northern Ireland lineup: Jacqueline Burns, Rebecca Mckenna, Laura Refertty, Rebecca Holloway, Rachel Dugdele, Brenna McPartlan, Joely Andrews, Casey Howe (90' Emily Wilson), Keri Halliday (68' Nadene Caldwell), Danielle Maxwell (57' Lauren Wade), Kerry Beattie / Coach: Tanya Oxtoby
