Northern Ireland suffered the first defeat of the Michael McArdle era when they lost 2-1 to Turkey, at Pendik Stadyumu, in Istanbul, in the penultimate qualifying game for the women's World Cup — a match marred by a controversial handball over the line that only resulted in a yellow card.
Turkey took the lead in the 26th minute: after Megan Bell lost the ball, Melike Pekel got in the frame and scored an arcing shot that surprised Jackie Burns. The Northern Irish response came close to half-time, when Fi Morgan's deflection from Bell's corner was blocked on the line by the hand of Busem Seker. After four minutes of deliberation, referee Alexandra Collin awarded a penalty, but only showed the Turkish attacker a yellow card. Upon conversion, Bell did not hesitate and shot into the top corner, restoring equality.
Right after the restart, in the 47th minute, the decision once again fell to the hosts: Seker, who would remain on the field thanks to the yellow card, appeared at the first post to successfully head in a cross from Selen Altunkulak, making the final 2-1.
Before the goals, goalkeeper Jackie Burns had already shone with two decisive saves, deflecting a header from Altunkulak onto the bar after a cross from Miray Cin, and, shortly afterwards, pushing another header from Seker towards the post.
In the final stretch, Danielle Maxwell had the best opportunity to equalize, in the last minute, but, isolated, she shot at Gamze Yaman's body, which denied the 2-2.
With this result, Northern Ireland can no longer catch Turkey in 2nd place and ends Group B2 in 3rd place. Even so, they are guaranteed a place in the play-offs in the autumn, albeit as unseeded, with a demanding path towards the World Cup to be held in Brazil. On Tuesday, in Lurgan, against Switzerland, the Northern Irish will seek to close qualifying with another image and demonstrate their ability to compete with teams of greater value.
Game notes:
- Goals: 1-0, Melike Pekel (26'); 1-1, Megan Bell (gp, 45+'); 2-1, Busem Seker (47')
- Key moment: Busem Seker's hand on the line punished with a penalty and just a yellow card, before deciding the match with his head.