NI need to evolve and enhance in Malta - McArdle
Michael McArdle started his tenure as Northern Ireland manager with a 4-0 win at home to Malta
- Published
Michael McArdle says his Northern Ireland side have to "evolve and enhance" their game in Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Malta.
Keri Halliday scored twice as Northern Ireland beat Malta 4-0 at Mourneview Park on Tuesday, and the sides meet again at Centenary Stadium on Saturday evening.
Joely Andrews and Danielle Maxwell were also on target as McArdle got off to a winning start as Northern Ireland manager.
The Scot says the 4-0 win gives his young side "huge confidence", especially in front of goal after a barren spell in which just one goal was scored since June before Tuesday's clinical showing.
Both sides lost their opening two qualifiers to Switzerland and Turkey, and McArdle acknowledges Malta will be going all out to get a crucial win to boost their hopes of staying in League B.
"It's a very dangerous situation, so we need to respect that and also try and evolve our game and enhance what we did on Tuesday," said McArdle.
"I think the most important piece is the six points.
"I said that at the start of the camp, and kind of holding myself accountable that way as well and putting that pressure on myself to go out and get the six points.
"We want to be in the play-offs in October in the best possible position that we can be and taking those steps towards that over these two camps is crucial."
Northern Ireland 'ready to go'
Aged 32 and with 80 caps, winger Lauren Wade is one of the nine players in the current squad remaining from the Euro 2022 finals.
She has witnessed the squad evolve through former manager Tanya Oxtoby, and now again through McArdle's short term in charge to date.
The Hearts winger said it had been a "really positive" first camp under McArdle.
"We've been getting to know each other over the past 10 days, and vice versa," she said.
"We've been given a little bit of freedom to go and express ourselves, and you have to be brave when you play this.
"It's been really exciting, and I think that showed on Tuesday night."
Wade added the game on Tuesday was positive for the group and they are "feeling great", but they cannot take anything for granted in Malta.
"It's what we wanted [on Tuesday], but we know that a double header is always difficult and we're coming out here knowing that it's going to be a tough game.
"We know what we have to do, we've worked on it the last couple of days, we've reflected and we're ready to go."
