Northern Ireland defender Laura Rafferty believes her side need to be “more patient” in their penultimate Euro 2025 qualifier against Malta.
Tanya Oxtoby’s side drew 0-0 with Malta in their opening qualifier at Windsor Park in April, but a win against the same opponent on Friday will guarantee NI a play-off in October.
Rafferty knows her side must not grow frustrated in their attempts to break down what will be another stubborn Malta rearguard.
“Tomorrow is a test of being patient, against them in the draw at home we needed to be more patient in the final third,” she told BBC Sport NI.
“That comes from having the balance in behind the forwards and as defenders, making sure they get nothing out of us,” Rafferty continued.
“We try and have the ball as much as possible, that is something Tanya has brought in, so hopefully we can control the game and get the result.”
‘We’ve taken a lot of lessons from Portugal losses’
The 28-year-old thinks that Northern Ireland will be able to cope with the searing heat in Malta, with temperatures of 29C expected at kick-off.
“We’re not shy to these conditions after the games away against Portugal and Bosnia & Herzegovina, it’s not something entirely new,” she said.
Rafferty, who recently joined Rangers from Southampton, also insists that Northern Ireland have learnt their lessons from mistakes made in recent defeats against Portugal in the last international window.
Oxtoby’s side lost 4-0 in Leiria before narrowly being edged out 2-1 by the Portuguese at Mourneview Park.
The defender is hopeful that the positive performances despite losing both games will give NI confidence ahead of their game at the Centenary Stadium.
“We’ve taken a lot of lessons from the Portugal games; they were another progression of what we’ve been building.
“It’s been a positive week and we’re looking forward to putting the work in to get a result.”
Laura Rafferty,Malta,Tanya Oxtoby,BBC Sport NI,Northern Ireland,Windsor Park,Portugal,Southampton
