EYES ON THE
PRIZE
Scotland Women stroll through the World Cup qualifiers
And we’re off to a couple of fliers! RACHEL CORSIE celebrates two wins out of two as Scotland set out on the trail for the Women’s World Cup SO, after almost 11 months since the last competitive International Match, the Women’s World Cup Qualifying campaign is finally off and running and the Road to Canada 2015 has begun. First up for us was a trip to the Faroe Islands, followed by the opening home fixture at Fir Park versus Bosnia herzegovina a few days later.
This was my first time travelling to this scenic, mountainous and very green looking part of the world, however I felt very at home with the northerly breeze and sheep-filled fields – and it was arguably one of the most relaxing and enjoyable national team camps I have been a part of. Too add to my enjoyment of course was the result. A strong performance and a 7-2 victory meant that we started the campaign as we hope to go on – top of the group. Furthermore, a relatively rare appearance on the score sheet added to the overall satisfaction of the opening encounter, after a ‘glancing’ header in the first 10 minutes got us off to a great start. (Kimmie - I promise I did get a touch on it.)
The following day we jetted off back to edinburgh for part two of the double header - departing along the very narrow ‘runway’ between the even narrower hillsides. The typically most efficient route was for us to fly over Scotland to Copenhagen before heading back to the capital – a bizarrely long day of travelling, given the island is not far north of our own Scottish Isles.
Nevertheless we arrived home in one piece… well minus a few squad bags. Jane Ross and Suzanne Lappin’s luggage was left behind in Denmark. Fortunately for them and their room-mates, they arrived promptly the next morning so sharing knickers wasn’t required.
The media attention began to surge in the build up to the second game, especially with the goal spree and result of the opener – which is something that I know is a great motivator for the girls in recognition of the hard work that goes into our performances. So it is great to see such keen interest growing again.
The day before the game, we got our first taster of Fir Park: an important opportunity to get a feel for the playing surface and a look around the stadium. On behalf of all the girls, I must thank all staff at Motherwell FC who were all very welcoming and particularly the ground staff who ensured the pitch was immaculate for the match.
It was also great to see over 1000 fans turn out when the game was also televised live on BBC Alba and once again we struck a goal spectacular for all those who watched. Another lucky seven, this time with no reply from the visitors, meant that we extended our advantage at the top of Group Four with maximum points from the first two games.
Not only this, but if me scoring once wasn’t rare enough, scoring in two consecutive matches is most definitely unheard of!
The current squad and positivity within the team makes it a great environment to be involved in just now. The team appears to have matured over the last 12 months, and despite its youthful nature the professionalism and determination is at an optimum level.
Not only on the park, but off the pitch there is currently a very relaxed and calm atmosphere and the closely knit group that we currently have will help us to hopefully thrive in matches to come.
Thanks again for all the support and I really hope you can continue it for the whole campaign.
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It was great to see over 100 0 fans turn out w hen the game was also televised live on BBC Alb a and once again we struck a goal spectacular
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Ross shows who’s boss
Striker follows up opener against Northern Ireland with a hat-trick away to Poland
SCOTLAND claimed their third win of the World Cup 2015 qualifying campaign as goals from Jane Ross and Jennifer Beattie secured three points against Northern Ireland.
The Scots headed into the match top of Group 4 after emphatic 7-2 and 7-0 victories over the Faroe Islands and Bosnia respectively in their opening two games and strengthened their position further with this 2-0 home win.
They enjoyed the best possible start to the clash at Fir Park when Ross capitalised on a mistake by the Northern Ireland defence to dispatch the opening goal beyond emma higgins after just three minutes.
The visitors tried to hit back through Lynda
JANe ROSS grabbed her first international hat-trick as Scotland enjoyed a 4-0 victory away to Poland. The Vittsjo GIK striker took her tally to six goals in four qualifiers, and Jo Love added the fourth, as Scotland maintained their 100% record after an entertaining encounter in front of over 4,000 fans.
Poland started with purpose and had the best of the opening exchanges.
After 10 minutes Sikora sent a cross in to the box, which was cleared by Jennifer Beattie as far as PoĹźerska, but her shot was held by Gemma Fay.
Sikora showed her pace when she raced towards the Scotland goal, but she was
Shepherd but her 25-yard drive failed to trouble Gemma Fay in the Scotland goal.
Sarah McFadden came even closer with a header from a corner that flashed just wide of the upright.
Despite those chances, Scotland dominated the first half in terms of possession but were frustrated in their attempts to add to their early opener.
The home side could have doubled their lead after the restart when Ross turned provider for Suzanne Lappin but she curled a half-volley past the post.
however, the points were safe with 78 minutes on the clock when Beattie rifled a right foot shot past higgins to put the game beyond Northern Ireland as Scotland took another step towards the finals in Canada.
tracked all the way by Rachel Corsie, and her weak effort was held by Fay. With Poland gaining a foothold, Scotland’s opener came at the perfect time.
Megan Sneddon won the ball in midfield and found Kim Little who cut back for Jane Ross to calmly slot a low shot past Kiedrzynek.
Scotland doubled the lead just before halftime when Ross met Lauder's cross from the left wing at the near post and fired in to the net from close-range.
She sealed her hat-trick directly after the restart, with Lauder the provider once more.
Pajor was sent off after a second yellow card, then Love wrapped up the win in the 65th minute. Little controlled the ball on the edge of the box and found Love, who curled the ball around Kiedrzynek.
SCOTLAND continued their fantastic form as they made it five out of five, with a hard-fought victory over Poland.
The win sees the Scots remain clear of Sweden at the top of Group Four with goal difference of 20, as captain Gemma Fay made it four clean sheets in a row, with another shut-out in front of 1,551 fans.
Anna Signeul made just the one change from the side that lost out on penalties to South Korea in the third place playoff at the Cyprus Cup, with Megan Sneddon coming in to replace Nicola Docherty.
Rachel Corsie and Jennifer Beattie started in the centre of defence in front of Fay, with Frankie Brown on the right and hayley Lauder occupying the left-back slot.
Sneddon came into the centre of midfield alongside Kim Little, whilst Little moved forward, with Leanne Ross roaming on the right wing and Joanne Love on the left. Lisa evans and Jane Ross played as a front two, as the Scots looked to add to their goalscoring record in the group. After being frustrated throughout the first half, Scotland finally got the
breakthrough seven minutes into the second period when Little showed her skill to set-up the opener, sliding the ball round the Polish defence, for evans to slot it home.
With the opening goal secured, Scotland continued to look for a second; using the best route, going down the wings, where both Polish full backs looked exposed, and that gave the Scots the space to put the ball into the danger zone.
eight minutes from time, Little jinked her way down the right side, before her cross was expertly headed back by evans into the path of Crichton, who made sure to get over the ball in order to direct it into the goal.
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Ross hat-trick helps maintain momentum
Scotland moves six ponts clear at the top
Jane Ross scored a second-half as Scotland came from behind to beat Bosnia 3-1 in their World Cup qualifier. Monika Kulis gave Bosnia a surprise lead but Scotland fought back to move six points clear at the top of Group 4. It was Anna Signeul's sixth consecutive victory in the qualifiers ahead of May's Fir Park clash with group favourites Sweden. The Scots had ran out 7-0 winners against Bosnia earlier in the campaign but they found it much trickier in the Balkans. Kulis's fired a long-range effort beyond Gemma Fay within 18 minutes as the home side showed they would be no pushovers this time. Leanne Crichton bundled the ball in to the net soon after following a melee in the penalty box, but was flagged offside. Ross had a penalty claim waved away after colliding with
Bosnian goalkeeper envera hasanbegovic before she rifled home the equaliser after Lisa evans's shot was blocked. The Vittsjo GIK striker put the Scots ahead in the 74th minute with a diving header and sealed her hat-trick with four minutes remaining following good work by evans. Bosnia-herzegovina: hasanbegovic, Spahic (c), Nikolic, Fetahovic, Aida hadžic, Kuliš, M hasanbegovic, Dijakovic, Kuliš, Radeljic, Crnjak. Subs: hodžic, Jašarevic, Alma hadžic, Boškan, Kadric, Mujkic, Ahmic. Scotland: Fay (c), L Ross, Lauder, Little, Sneddon, Crichton, evans, J Ross, Beattie, Brown, Docherty. Subs: Lynn, McSorley, hunter, Love, C Murray, J Murray, Richards
G
RE Sw Fa Po Sc Bo Sc No Po Sw No Sc Fa No
THE REST OF EUROPE
Group 1
Germany
P
6
2
0
1
6
4
1
0
3
4
Slovakia
5
Croatia
4
Group 5
Netherlands
P
6
0 W
0 1 D
1
4 3
13
-11 3
1
14 -13 1
F
0
18
6
1
0
5
2
Portugal
4
Greece
6
2 0
0 0
2 6
7
+41 18
2
0
4
P
+4
4
1
2
G
4
4
4
4
L
A
8
1
6
Albania
1
1
43
4
Belgium
Norway
F
3
2
0
L
0
4
Slovenia
D
6
Ireland
Russia
W
26
21
10 -4
21 -17 3 A
3
7
2
13 13 2
6
G
P
+23 13
+14 13
+16 12
0
26 -24 31 -29
6 3 0
Group 2
Spain
P
6
W
5
Italy
5
3
Czech Republic
4
1
Romania Estonia
Macedonia
Group 6
England
4
3
1
1
4
0
P
W
5
5
Wales
4
3
Belrus
3
1
Ukraine Turkey
Montenegro
2
5
5
2
1
0
Group 4
P
3
+22 18
Poland
5
2
0
3
9
8
+1
6
Northern Ireland
5
1
3
0
9
-9
2
D
0
1
1
2
4
1 1
0 0
D
L
2-0 2-7 6-0 7-0 0-1 2-0 0-0 0-4 5-0 0-3 2-0 1-1 0-4
F
5
+8 10
Iceland
-4
23 +22 16
9
3
2
6
10
2
+6
4
11
-8
3
0
5
W
L
F
A
G
P
0
6
0
+28 15
Israel
4
2
0
2
5
7
-2
15
-9
G
3
2
3
+6
9
3
8
-5
3
3
22 -19 0
19 -15 3
D
May 8 May 8 June 6 June 14 June 14 June 19 June 18 June 19 Aug 20 Aug 21 Sept 13 Sept 13 Sept 17 Sept 17 Sept 17
28
W
4
Poland Northern Ireland Poland Sweden Northern Ireland SCOTLAND Poland Sweden Faroe Islands Sweden Northern Ireland Faroe Islands Faroe Islands Bosnia herz SCOTLAND
0
P
6
19 -16 2
0
Group 7
+4
3
5
P
9
12 -10 2
5
G
+29 15
+12 12
Switzerland
A
F
1
0
P
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
0
5
4
FIXTURES Faroes Sweden Faroe Islands SCOTLAND Bosnia herz Northern Ireland Bosnia herz Faroe Islands Bosnia herz Poland Poland SCOTLAND Northern Ireland Poland Sweden
4
0
0
3
Malta
0
1
1
0
2
0
2
2
0
0
3
26 -24 0
0
2
12
1
29
1
0
0
3
0
1
0
Denmark
0
0
4
4
3
L
Sept 21 Sep 22t Sept 26 Oct 26 Oct 26 Oct 26 Oct 26 Oct 31 Oct 26 Nov 23 Apr 5 Apr 5 Apr 5
4
G
24
12
4
Poland Scotland Faroe Islands Bosnia Herz Sweden Northern Ireland Bosnia Herz Scotland Faroe Islands Poland Poland Bosnia Herz Sweden
Group 3
1
4
5
P
A
5
3
P
25
1
W
G
0
5
0
A
0
RESULTS Sweden Faroe Islands Poland Scotland Bosnia Herz Scotland Northern Ireland Poland Sweden Northern Ireland Scotland Faroe Islands Northern Ireland
1
F
6
Faroe Islands
1
L
6
Bosnia
3
D
SCOTLAND
Sweden
W
W
Serbia
5
1
0
1
1
0 D
1
3
3
6
1
6
2
+4
4
4
0
21 -21
0
A
P
3
L
6 F
4
France
5
5
0
0
38
1
+37 15
Austria
5
3
0
2
15
6
+9
5
2
Finland
4
4
Hungary
4
2
Bulgaria
6
0
Kazakhstan
6
0
0
0
1
1
0
2 5
9
8
2
1
8
+8 12
0
9
6
19 -17 1
39 -37 1
KEEPING it REAL
T
with Cumbernauld Colts shot-stopper EILIDH ROE
Northe
HIS time last year Cumbernauld Colts (then Airdrie Ladies) sat second bottom of the first division having only won three games. Fast forward 12 months and this year we have won seven out of our 11 opening games, remain unbeaten at home and have accumulated 22 points so far, the exact same total for the whole of last season.
This, quite frankly, amazing transformation was summed up in the last game against Hearts, before the summer break. We went into half time 1-0 down having not played well at all but in the second half came out and fought for a well-earned draw. It’s not the first time this season we have come back from going down a goal to take something from the game. Only last week we came from behind to knock Premier League side Buchan out of the Scottish Cup, on their own pitch. Earlier on in the season we came from 1-0 down to defeat Celtic Reserves 2-1, a team who took 9 goals off us last season. The difference between this year and last is night and day. It’s a pleasure to go to training, the morale within the team is great and everyone really seems to be enjoying their football. We have the exact same squad as last year and one of the main reasons for this massive turn around has to go to the set up at Cumbernauld Colts. Towards the end of last season we, as a team, decided it was time to move to move on from Airdrie United after an offer from Cumbernauld Colts to join their set up. There were no personal reasons for this and will always be grateful to the support Airdrie United gave us when we were a part of their club. However, they couldn’t offer us the same facilities as Cumbernauld Colts which was a massive reason behind us switching clubs. The current set up we have is fantastic. We have access to wonderful stadium facilities, gym classes, goal keeper coaching and we get to play all our home games at Broadfield Stadium. The support we have received from all the other Colts teams since we joined has been nothing short of phenomenal. On behalf of the team I would like thank everyone involved at Cumbernauld but in particular to the ‘gaffer’ Stuart MacKenzie, his support and the opportunity he presented to us has been amazing. The second half of the season kicks off in just over three weeks and we all can’t wait to get it started and hopefully continue to do well. Whatever happens, we can all be proud as a team at how far we have come in such a short amount of time and hopefully we can continue in that vein.
SCOTLAND international Rachael Small tipped Aberdeen to be the side that finally bre the Glasgow stranglehold on women's footb
Glasgow City last season clinched their sev successive title and are on course to equal unbeaten domestic record.
however the 28-times capped full-back, wh back at the Dons for a second spell, says t could be a new threat from the North-east.
“I don't see any reason why we can't bu squad which will be able to challenge Glas City,” said the former Northfield Academy p “however we know it won't happen overnight it will take hard work.
“There is plenty of talent up north and spea from experience if things aren't working pla will look to move elsewhere, so we will hav do our best to keep improving and attract pla to the club.
“With the facilities and team morale I don't any reason why that can't happen.”
The club is almost unrecognisable from the Small left in 2010 to fulfill her ambitions of pla at the top level. A dramatic last minute wi against Celtic saw Aberdeen pip Fo Farmington for a place in the top six, ironically club Small had left the Dons for.
As the interest in women's football continue grow, so does the Aberdeen Ladies side. Now 21 year old believes she's making a step u returning, rather than taking a step back.
She revealed: “I was made aware that Aberd had requested to speak to me about my plan
hern composure
Small has ally breaks s football.
Red Ultras turned out to support the girls’ side at Sunnybank's heathryfold Park. Small hopes more local football fans will come out to support AFC Ladies as the new Women's Premier League campaign gets underway.
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Aberdeen are developing an edge that will surely bring Glasgow domination to an end, warns Rachael Small
the second half of the season, and after hearing what they had to say I made the decision to return to the club.
“The club is definitely a lot more professional now compared to when I was last here. everyone is determined to attend training sessions and put in 100% effort. Off the pitch things seem to be run much better as well. There are big sponsors coming in along with the fantastic facilities that are being provided.”
She added: “I have been struggling for quite some time now with the costs of travelling and the amount of time it was taking up. My lifestyle wasn't great in terms of eating right and recovering correctly, so I felt this was the best move for me.”
Interest in women's football has seen a revival since with the european Championships in Sweden, and last season fans from the Aberdeen
She said: “I would like to believe that the euros will attract people to come out and watch the SWPL, however I do feel that it would have helped massively if Scotland had qualified for the euros, and received the exposure that these teams have been getting.”
The Scots were denied a place at the finals in a play-off with Spain last October. Seconds away from qualification on the away goals rule, the Spanish broke Scottish hearts with literally the last kick of the ball, winning 4-3 on aggregate.
That hurt has yet to go away, especially with the tournament currently in full flow, but Small is determined that Scotland will be in Canada for the 2015 World Cup.
She said: “Scotland haven't played a competitive game in a while but I know the girls take every game as if it is competitive and have got some fantastic results against teams ranked above us.
“Things are looking positive leading up to the World Cup qualifiers starting later this year and I hope to get myself back fit and challenging for a place in the squad.
“I've had many problems with injuries, but thanks fully I am starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. I have a lot of work still to be done to get back to 100% but I know I'm working hard and will just have to be patient.”
How on earth did I get myself into this?
F
or as long as I remember I have been watching and playing it. My dad would have it on the TV, so I guess I picked it up from him when I was really young and I started playing in
Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Alexander looks back on her introduction to football the playground at school when I was 6. I loved David Beckham, he was my favourite player. In terms of my position though the player who I would look
up to would be Pepe Reina. he was the first goalkeeper I had seen that was really good with the ball at his feet and always makes it look effortless.
Think you’re so clever, eh? Here’s our quiz for younger readers. Test your knowledge of the women’s game in Scotland. Answers below. (And no peeking!) How many times have Glasgow City been Premier League champions?
1 Which three Scotland players were in the 2012 Team GB Olympic squad?
6
ANSWERS:
2
Which Scotland international moved from Forfar Farmington to Aberdeen last season?
7
Where is the 2015 World Cup being held?
Which club does Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay play for?
3
... and, who are the current holders?
8
Hibs men haven't won the Scottish Cup since 1902, but when did Hibernian Ladies last win the cup?
4 9
All Scotland's World Cup qualifiers are being held at Fir Park, but where did they play their Euro 2013 qualifiers?
Which Scotland international is this an anagram of? Lamb Macke
5
What was the score last time Scotland played England?
10
1: 8; 2: Rachael Small; 3: Celtic; 4: 2009/10; 5: Emma Black; 6: Kim Little, Jane Ross and Ifeoma Dieke; 7: Canada; 8: Japan; 9: Tynecastle 10: 4-4