Northern Ireland v Malta: Euro 2025 qualifier 'really exciting' – Tanya Oxtoby

Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby says the start of Euro 2025 qualifying “is a really exciting time for us”.

After retaining their place in League B, the Oxtoby side face Malta in their first game on Friday before traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, April 9.

Next they face Northern Ireland Portugal in a doubleheader at the end of May in Group B3.

“We're excited and want to put in a really strong performance,” Oxtoby said.

Euro 2025 qualifiers follow a new format based on the inaugural Women's Nations League, held in the autumn.

Northern Ireland finished third in their group behind the Republic of Ireland Ireland and Hungary, and the Oxtoby side retained their League B qualification status with a 3-1 play-off win over Montenegro in February.

With the teams finishing in the top three guaranteed a play-off for the finals, Northern Ireland will look to get off to a fast start against Malta, who are the lowest-ranked team in the group.

“Sometimes change is good”

Oxtoby made six changes to their side from the play-offs, with goalkeeper Jackie Burns returning from long-term injury and Brenna McPartlan earning a return from her first and only appearance in 2017.

London City Lionesses midfielder Connie Scofield awaits international leave but key defender Sarah McFadden will miss the first qualifier through injury.

With so much change in her squad, Oxtoby said “sometimes change is good”.

“I've learned a lot about the players and they've learned a lot about me,” the Australian said.

“We're starting to really find our feet in terms of understanding the environment we're trying to create and what we need to focus on so we can continue to progress.

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“It's really gratifying in that sense, but there's still a lot of work to be done.

“Every camp seems to have new faces, whether it's staff or players. It keeps everyone on their toes. We've said all along that the door is open to everyone and the players that come in have played.”

Oxtoby added that he “wouldn't be surprised if there were to be more changes” as he continues to develop his squad.

“We are looking at the future of this team, we want to try and play. They will play a very, very important part in that, and our experienced players also play a huge part in that, in training them in everything that we are trying to implement.

“I think it's healthy in any high-performance sport, it's to have competition for places and make sure you pick based on the form and strategy of what you want to go after.

“I think we're in a really good place for that.”

For the first time in Oxtoby's tenure, Northern Ireland will play a home game before traveling for an away game and the former Chelsea The assistant principal says the extra day of training will be a “bonus.”

“It's great not having to travel after just two days together.

“We have an extra day on the field, which is great for us.

“We [Northern Ireland and Malta] they are two very equal teams in terms of the way we go about our football, so it will be a great game. We're really hoping the home fans come out and really get us over the line.”