NI World Cup hopes gone from 'improbable to impossible'

Michael McArdle admits Northern Ireland's chances of beating Portugal in a Women's World Cup play-off have "gone from improbable to impossible" after a 4-0 first leg defeat.

Highlights: Portugal ease past Northern Ireland at Inver Park

Underdogs heading into the first-leg tie, the hosts were well beaten and face a mammoth task to overturn the deficit in Tuesday's return in Portimao.

McArdle, who took over as Northern Ireland manager in March, felt there were positives in the defeat, but said the scoreline was "sore" and "it hurts".

"It feels a bit harder on us than the actual game produced," added the Scot.

"We're hurting in that aspect. There are lots of positives there, which we'll take and we'll move forward for the longer process.

"But in the shorter term, the tie becomes, from a case of being improbable to impossible now, with the four-goal deficit."

Northern Ireland were 3-0 down at the break as a Telma Encarnacao penalty, Jessica Silva finish and Rebecca Holloway's own goal gave the visitors a comfortable lead.

Source: BBC Sport