Women's Soccer Scene

Women's Football News


Latest News	Women's Football TV	News Archive	Search	Get the Mag

Share page on Social Media: f Share t G+ find us on Twitter: @wssmagnews
Women's Football News

Scotland storm into play-offs

Women's Football News 29 Sep 2008

Scotland have made history by storming into the play-offs for Euro 2009 with an emphatic 6-0 win over Slovakia at McDiarmid Park.

After Russia's 4-1 win over Poland on Saturday night, Scotland went into the game knowing that a win would take them into the play-offs of a major tournament for the first time and they started the game with purpose, enjoying the bulk of the first half possession.

Jennifer Beattie opened the scoring in the 26th minute when her floated cross just missed the head of Kim Little but sailed past Lenka Gazdikova in the Slovakian goal.

Falling behind seemed to kick start the Slovakian attack and they enjoyed their best spell of the game, forcing a sting of saves from Gemma Fay. But Scotland quickly found their rhythm once more, with captain Julie Fleeting deftly lobbing the goalkeeper just after the half hour mark after some great link up play between Kim Little and Leanne Ross.

Just seven minutes later, Pauline Hamill made it three when she met a long ball out of defence from Michelle Kerr to lob the keeper once more.

After the break Scotland kept up the tempo, with brilliant youngster Little taking charge of the midfield and the player of the match grabbed a goal of her own on 51 minutes when she unleashed a low shot into the bottom corner.

Little was involved in the fifth goal when her freekick was met by Arsenal team mate Fleeting who fired home for her second of the game.

However Fleeting's day was soured soon after when she picked up a hotly contested yellow card, which could rule her out of the first play-off match.

Substitute Suzanne Grant wrapped up a memorable win in the 86th minute with a fine strike which left Gazdikova with no chance.

Scotland Head coach Anna Signeul told www.scottishfa.co.uk: "I'm delighted with what was an excellent all round team performance, and I was particularly happy to see goals coming from all over the pitch. Slovakia are a strong side but our attacking play was really exceptional today. Of course that kind of performance comes from having fit, hard working players all over the pitch.

"We've made a bit of history today and the players and everyone associated with the team are over the moon. If we work as hard as we did today I think we have a good chance against anyone we might face in the play-offs."

Scotland: Gemma Fay, Jennifer Beattie, Ifeoma Dieke, Michelle Kerr, Joanne Love, Kirsty McBride (sub Natalie Ross 72mins), Kim Little, Megan Sneddon, Julie Fleeting (sub Amy McDonald 80mins), Pauline Hamill (sub Suzanne Grant 75mins), Leanne Ross. Subs not used: Frankie Brown, Julie Ferguson, Rhonda Jones, Hayley Cunningham.