Key Takeaways
- Michael McArdle warns Northern Ireland must improve on Tuesday’s 4-0 win when they face Malta again on Saturday.
- Keri Halliday’s double and goals from Joely Andrews and Danielle Maxwell lifted the side after a five-month scoring drought.
- Experienced winger Lauren Wade says the squad feel “excited” under the new coach but expect a tougher test in Ta’ Qali.
Michael McArdle says Northern Ireland cannot stand still after their big mid-week win and must “grow and sharpen” their play in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Malta.
The new boss watched his team hit four past the Maltese on Tuesday without reply, yet he knows the return match at the Centenary Stadium will be a different story.
“We have to respect the danger,” the Scot said. “Malta will come out fighting, so we must move our game on and polish the good things we did.”
Keri Halliday’s brace, plus strikes from Joely Andrews and Danielle Maxwell, ended a barren run that had brought only one goal since June. Still, McArdle insists the job is only half done.
“The target was always six points from this double-header,” he added. “We want the best possible route to October’s play-offs, so Saturday is huge.”
Both nations lost their openers to Switzerland and Turkey, leaving League B survival on a knife-edge.
Veteran winger Lauren Wade, 32, is one of nine Euro 2022 survivors still in the squad. The Hearts wide-player says the mood inside the camp has lifted.
“The gaffer has given us licence to express ourselves,” she explained. “We feel fresh, but we know away games are tricky. We’ve reviewed clips, tightened up bits, and we’re ready to fight again.”