'We're focusing on ourselves in Euro 2025 play-off' - NI manager Oxtoby
Tanya Oxtoby says Northern Ireland will embrace the underdog tag against Norway but there is pressure within the group to put in a strong performance.
Norway will be heavy favourites to progress to the Euro 2025 finals after a 14-0 aggregate win over Albania in their first play-off, while NI defeated Croatia 2-1 after extra-time.
The first leg takes place in Larne at Inver Park on Friday before the return leg in Oslo on Tuesday.
"We know where we sit in terms of this tie and being the underdog," Oxtoby told BBC Sport NI.
"We embrace that and this group is used to that, so we are just focused on what we are trying to do. We give ourselves a really good opportunity if we do that."
When asked if the tie was a free hit for a youthful Northern Ireland side, Oxtoby said there was still pressure from within the group "to make sure our performance is right".
"If we get that right then the result will be what it will be," she added. "We have spoken about the quality of players that they have got, but it's a team performance and we want to test ourselves against that kind of side.
"From that perspective we would be disappointed if we didn't go at them in the game."
'We will have to do things quicker'
Norway have a star-studded side, including former Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg, Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, Chelsea's Guro Reiten and Arsenal's in-form goal threat Frida Maanum.
Despite their star quality, Oxtoby says the focus for her side is "on us and our performance".
She said: "It's part of our journey and we're really looking forward to testing ourselves against a quality Norway side.
"We know we will have to do things quicker and make decisions quicker.
"If we don't get them right they have players who can hurt us. It's about us and our journey, and continuing on developing.
"From our point of view it's about focusing on what we are going after and making sure we doing it for 90 plus minutes."
Oxtoby will be without Casey Howe, who impressed in both legs against Croatia, for the match on Friday and the Nottingham Forest winger will be assessed ahead of the second leg.
Crusaders Strikers defender Rachel McLaren has been drafted into the squad as cover.
Regardless of the result, Oxtoby added it was important for her players to learn from the experience of playing the European giants.
"That's what it's about for us, it's the journey," she said. "We are at the very start of it. I've said three or four times, over the last month or so that we are a team in transition. For us it is a great challenge and we're going to know exactly where we are at.
"We will be in a position to learn from that, so that's the exciting part about this group. They are really embracing that challenge and we're excited.
"We've worked our butts off to be here and it's been some journey.
"We have to enjoy the moment and we have to enjoy it together. We're having fun out there too, which is great."