Uefa Women’s Nations League Group B1

Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 Northern Ireland 1

NORTHERN Ireland claimed a Women’s Nations League promotion play-off place after securing a 1-1 Group B1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.

The visitors only needed to avoid defeat to secure their play-off berth and Simone Magill’s opener put them in a healthy position before Sofija Krajusumovic brought Bosnia back on level terms before the break.

Tanya Oxtoby’s side will now face a promotion play-off with either Austria, Iceland, Belgium or Denmark, who finished third in their respective League A groups.

Northern Ireland held a three-point margin over Bosnia heading into the fixture, and advantage in the head-to-head thanks to February’s dramatic 3-2 win at Inver Park.

Northern Ireland seemed happy to protect their result but suffered a scare when Una Rankic hit the goal frame from a free-kick but hung on to grab their chance to climb into League A.

Oxtoby’s team opened the scoring midway through the first half as Rebecca Holloway burst through the middle of the park and picked out the run of Magill, who slotted home her 28th international goal.

However, their lead only lasted a matter of six minutes before the hosts got themselves on level terms.

Elma Husic’s ball over the top found Krajusumovic and she did well to get the beating of Ellie Mason before she fired into the far corner.

Northern Ireland immediately went in search of a goal to regain their advantage and twice came close as Magill saw her effort smothered by Almina Hodzic before the goalkeeper kept out Megan Bell’s strike with another save.

Bosnia were soon gifted a free-kick and Rankic stepped up and bent her effort round the wall only to see it crash off a post and away to safety.

After the break, Northern Ireland almost retook the lead with a devastating counter-attack, Keri Halliday unleashing Magill who could not quite guide her powerful finish on target.

Bosnia needed to win but found attacking openings few and far between.

Ena Sabanagic was next to have a go after she made her way into the box but her end product was easily dealt with by goalkeeper Jackie Burns.

The Women’s Nations League finals and promotion/relegation play-off draws take place in Nyon on Friday at noon.

All ties will be played between October 22 and 28.