Northern Ireland Vs England Tonight

Northern Ireland

v

England

UEFA Women's European Championship
Qualifying Round, Group One
7.30pm, Thursday 6 March 2008
Mourneview Park, Lurgan
Next home fixture details - click here

Northern Ireland defender Rebecca Corish says that despite the task facing them on Thursday evening, they will do everything they can to secure a result against England.

While the majority of England players have competed against the very best players in European and international games, Northern Ireland lack that same experience - but Corish says that won't stop them.

She said: “A lot of the Spanish and English girls are competing at the highest level with their club sides which is miles ahead of the standard of our league but we will always give 100 per cent no matter who we play against.

“The mood is positive amongst the girls because like everyone else I am just hoping to get a place in the squad for the England game,” Corish told Northern Ireland's official website.

“England are a top side who got to the quarter-finals of the World Cup and have so many good players and we know it will be a tough test."

Thus far in the qualification campaign for Euro 2009, Alfie Wylie's side have lost all four of their matches including a defeat to the Three Lions last May at Gillingham.

Corish admits that it has proved a difficult test facing the very best teams in European football, but one that every player is enjoying and only wants more of in the future.

“Spain are 60 places above us in the world and at the moment we are still playing catch up,” she said.

“We gave away a lot of sloppy goals against Spain and when I came off the bench I was straight into defensive duties but we have got to move on and learn from it.

"We are just going to continue to work on our fitness and take one game at a time."

Rebecca scored the first goal in a 5-1 win over Croatia in 2006, the match that secured the ladies' qualification to this stage of the European Championships.

“Even just to play against England would mean a lot to me because it is an achievement in itself to be in this stage of the competition and we still have a lot to learn but gradually we are getting there," Corish explained.

(Picture credit to Stephen Hamilton, IrishFA.com)