31/03/2010
Women To Wow Windsor
The 'national' NI stadium at Windsor Park will mark another milestone in its history tonight when it plays host to the Northern Ireland women's team for the first time.
In all previous outings, the ladies have played their matches in other club grounds around NI, with many of their games often clashing with the senior men's matches or Linfield home fixtures at Windsor Park.
However, this week's fixture offered an opportunity for the team to showcase their skills at the national stadium.
The opponents are France in a 2011 World Cup qualifier - and the ladies could do with some Windsor magic, having gone down 6-0 to Les Bleues in Boulogne-sur-Me on Saturday.
Team Coach Aflie Wylie said: "I'm delighted for the girls for getting an opportunity like this and excited about the prospect of playing at Windsor Park."
The coach told 4NI: "There's an element of pride in it as an international coach, watching the side play in such a venue."
Alfie is confident about the upcoming match: "We can't deny that this is a tough group, but playing at Windsor Park is an indication of just how far women's football in Northern Ireland is progressing.
"The girls are relishing this opportunity and irrespective of the result, it is a chance for us to measure ourselves against a top quality side like France.
"It also reflects the levels of interest in women's football today. It shows that we can be taken seriously at international level, by hosting France in a venue like Windsor Park," added Alfie.
See: World Cup Kick Off For Soccer Ladies
(BMcC/GK)
In all previous outings, the ladies have played their matches in other club grounds around NI, with many of their games often clashing with the senior men's matches or Linfield home fixtures at Windsor Park.
However, this week's fixture offered an opportunity for the team to showcase their skills at the national stadium.
The opponents are France in a 2011 World Cup qualifier - and the ladies could do with some Windsor magic, having gone down 6-0 to Les Bleues in Boulogne-sur-Me on Saturday.
Team Coach Aflie Wylie said: "I'm delighted for the girls for getting an opportunity like this and excited about the prospect of playing at Windsor Park."
The coach told 4NI: "There's an element of pride in it as an international coach, watching the side play in such a venue."
Alfie is confident about the upcoming match: "We can't deny that this is a tough group, but playing at Windsor Park is an indication of just how far women's football in Northern Ireland is progressing.
"The girls are relishing this opportunity and irrespective of the result, it is a chance for us to measure ourselves against a top quality side like France.
"It also reflects the levels of interest in women's football today. It shows that we can be taken seriously at international level, by hosting France in a venue like Windsor Park," added Alfie.
See: World Cup Kick Off For Soccer Ladies
(BMcC/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.