Northern Ireland manager Michael McArdle said their play-off defeat by Portugal is "the start of a new identity" despite their heavy 7-1 aggregate loss. Portugal showed their ruthlessness during the first leg at Inver Park and had a four-goal advantage ahead of the second leg. Kess Elmore's strike gave Northern Ireland the lead in Portimao, but the home side fought back and won 3-1 on the night.
"I'm really proud with the brave style of play but we have got to be patient moving forward," McArdle told BBC Sport NI. "It's been a great camp for new players to come in. Now, I feel the profile of players, the energy they are bringing, the effort that they are putting in and the condition that they are in to compete at this level.
"I am really encouraged, personally, moving forward. I have said to the group that this is the start of a new move forward and the start of a new identity moving forward." McArdle has shown throughout his tenure so far that he is keen to expand Northern Ireland's squad depth and gave four players their debuts during the Portugal double header. One of those debutants, Elmore, scored Northern Ireland's only goal of the tie and became the second player to score on her debut under McArdle after Emily Cassap netted during the 2-1 defeat by Switzerland in June.
"I'm delighted for Kess," McArdle continued. "I knew she could bring that, and it's just great that she has had that impact in Larne and also got the reward with a goal tonight. "She's going to add so much to the group moving forward, but so will a lot of the debutants this week, which was exciting." It has been a challenging window for McArdle's side with key players such as captain Simone Magill and the experienced Laura Rafferty, Nadene Caldwell and Caragh Hamilton missing.
However, the Scot still thinks the side have set "a real enthusiastic marker" down during the tough Portugal tie. "There have been those moments that have went against us, moments of misfortune. We're playing a risky style of football," he continued.
"We were on the front foot from the first whistle, and I couldn't be prouder of the girls. This is a real enthusiastic marker for moving forward. This is getting closer to the identity that I would like for us moving forward.
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