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Andy Gray
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Press Eye

Defender Laura Rafferty says Northern Ireland will have the "classic underdog tag" in their Euro 2025 play-off with Norway.

Despite the odds favouring Norway, Rafferty believes Northern Ireland can cause a shock and reach the finals in Switzerland next summer.

The first leg takes place at Inver Park on Friday before the return fixture in Oslo on Tuesday.

"It's a classic underdog tag that we've worn before," said Rafferty.

"Coming up against one of the world's best is incredible for us. We've got a young squad but I know that everyone is going to thrive under that."

Norway have defeated Northern Ireland on three occasions in recent years. Their last meeting ended in a 4-1 win for the Norwegians at the Euro 2022 finals, and they also won both games 6-0 in qualifying for that tournament.

Northern Ireland reached the play-off with a 2-1 extra-time win over Croatia, while Norway hammered Albania 14-0 on aggregate - including a 9-0 win in Oslo.

Rafferty is one of 11 players in Tanya Oxtoby's squad who featured for Northern Ireland at the Euro 2022 finals in England.

She says playing in the country's first major tournament was "one of the best moments of my life" and that feeling is helping to fuel their play-off hopes.

"It's something you dream of as a kid, especially with a small country like ours," added the Rangers defender.

"It's something that we're all dreaming of. We've two 90-plus minutes to make that happen.

"For me, I don't want them to get in the way of our dreams.

"It's about taking accountability and making sure that our dreams happen."

Andy Gray
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Press Eye

Goalkeeper Jackie Burns says Northern Ireland want to show they can compete with the best teams and prove their Euro 2022 qualification "wasn't a fluke".

Northern Ireland will be huge underdogs as they face Norway in a play-off for a place at the Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland.

The first leg takes place at Inver Park on Friday before the return fixture in Oslo on Tuesday.

"Everyone wants to achieve it again. For me, I want to prove it wasn't a fluke the first time," said Burns.

"We want to show we are able to compete with the top-quality teams. To do it again would prove that and show that our quality has gone up since last time."

Northern Ireland reached the play-off with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Croatia, thanks to Lauren Wade's superb extra-time goal, while Norway defeated Albania 14-0.

Burns says "it will be tough" but Northern Ireland can "thrive" off the underdog tag.

The 28-year-old Bristol City stopper added that having the first leg at home, which will be played at Inver Park in Larne, can be beneficial.

"Norway are a quality team, but the crowd will help us into this game," she said.

"Obviously you want the second leg at home, but having the first leg here is going to help us even more. It will push us on."

Manager Tanya Oxtoby has built a youthful squad and Burns, one of 11 players in the squad who featured at the Euro finals in 2022, says it is important to play the game and not the occasion.

"It's something one of my coaches told me from a young age when I was playing for Northern Ireland - the game doesn't change. Yes, the opposition may change but football doesn't.

"The occasion is big but as long as you can keep it simple and clear your mind, then it could be a good experience."