Getting Set for the Last Euro 2025 Qualifier Showdown
Northern Ireland's star defender Laura Rafferty is pumped for their final Euro 2025 qualifying match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. If they win this game at Windsor Park, they could snag second place in the group, which might get them a better spot in the play-off draw.
Thriving in the Spotlight
Rafferty reckons her team's experience in tough games will serve them well. She told BBC Sport NI, "We've been in this kind of situation before, so it's not new to us. We're totally up for it!"
The Perks of Playing at Home
The Rangers player is stoked to be back at Windsor Park after a break and thinks playing in front of their home crowd will give them a boost. Plus, they're feeling good after beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 in Zenica back in April. "It's gonna be a tough match, but playing at home is gonna help us out, especially with our fans cheering us on," Rafferty said.
Learning from the Win in Malta
They're coming off a solid 2-0 win over Malta on Friday, where they had the upper hand in the second half. Rafferty believes they can keep that momentum going. "We wanted the three points from Malta and we got 'em. We had to be patient and take our chances, and we did," she explained.
Captain Laura's Impressive Run
If Laura plays on Tuesday, it'll be her 49th time representing Northern Ireland. It's been quite the journey for her, especially after not playing much before Tanya Oxtoby became coach in September 2023. Now, she's started in the last 10 games and has been captain three times since Marissa Callaghan stepped down.
Reflecting on Her Career
The 28-year-old said, "It's nuts to think I'd get to 50 caps and be captain. I've been with the team since I was 15, and it's been a wild ride. I'm so happy I got my chance and didn't let it slip away."
The Northern Ireland women's team is looking to make history with Laura Rafferty at the helm, aiming for a big victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina to boost their Euro 2025 chances.
