Northern Ireland can reflect on several goals conceded during the campaign that might have been prevented.

They are likely to meet teams of similar strength to Switzerland in the autumn play-offs when they seek qualification for their first World Cup at the sixth attempt.

A goalkeeping mistake by Lauren Perry that gifted Turkey the winning goal in Lurgan will be one moment to review, as will the two goals lost at home to group winners Switzerland.

A key task for McArdle will be cutting down those errors before the play-offs, since the opposition will be stronger and ready to punish any slips.

While accepting that his team made mistakes, the Northern Ireland manager believes they can turn those lessons into an advantage during the play-offs.

"We're very ambitious, we're not just going into the play-offs to take part, we're going in there to try and win and try and qualify for the World Cup," he said.

"We've got a strong belief, there's been mistakes out there and there's been opportunities to learn.

"We'll use that to move forward and strengthen and then, as a result, hopefully that attracts future talent as well both within the pathway but also those that are eligible."

Emily Cassap's first appearance in a green shirt could hardly have been stronger after she entered from the bench against Switzerland and scored inside 66 seconds.

Cora Chambers collected her opening three senior caps in this campaign, while Fi Morgan and Aimee Kerr also made their senior debuts and performed well.

Chambers showed courage and a willingness to push into the final third, an area where NI have often struggled, while Cassap was energetic and created problems for Switzerland.

Goalkeeper Perry also earned her first start since April 2018 and gives Northern Ireland another choice between the posts.

Birmingham City's McKenna was given the captain's armband this campaign and at just 25 years old she has progressed quickly and emerged as a solid leader.

During his time in charge, McArdle has stressed that younger players form a central part of his plans and has backed that view by handing them opportunities.

The side also missed important figures such as captain Simone Magill, who sat out the campaign due to pregnancy but has since given birth, yet the younger players rose to the challenge.

Yet with the prospect that several of those players will return before the World Cup play-off, NI's hopes of securing a place in Brazil remain intact.