National Coach, Anna Signeul, today announced the squad who will be travelling to Cyprus to take part in an International Friendly Tournament alongside tough opposition in the shape of Japan and Sweden.
The Tournament kicks off with Japan v Sweden on Monday 12 February at 3pm (1pm UK time) at GSZ Stadium.
The opening match for Scotland will be against Japan on Wednesday 14 February at 12pm (10am UK time) at Dasaki Stadium, their final match will be played on Sunday 17 February. This will be an interesting encounter when Signeul’s team will face her former coaching colleagues and players when they take on Sweden at 2pm (12pm UK time & venue TBC)
Both opposition countries are ranked among the top 10 in the FIFA rankings, with Sweden ranked 4th and using this Tournament as preparation for the forth coming FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals in China in September this year. Japan ranked 10th will also use this Tournament as preparation for their qualification campaign for the Women’s World Cup Finals, which will commence for them in March. Both matches are against high caliber countries and will provide Signeul’s team with challenging opposition.
Scotland are also making progress under Anna Signeul’s charge, having recently moved up the FIFA rankings to 26th place, their highest ever ranking.
Anna Signeul commented: "We are very much looking forward to going away to Cyprus to play these two matches. We had a good training camp in Perth two weeks ago with 28 players, it will be good to go away and play two matches with the squad. We know it is very difficult teams we will play, but we want to play these opponents so that we learn to play in high intensity situations, and that is how we would aspire to play ourselves in the future." Scotland also have another high profile friendly match against England at New Wembley on Sunday 11 March, the final preparation game for the Scots will be against Italy on Friday 6 April in Perth, this is in advance of Scotland playing their first UEFA Women’s European Qualification Match at home against Portugal on Sunday 6 May 2007 at McDiarmid Park, Perth.
Cyprus International Friendly Tournament
Japan v Sweden Monday 12 February, 3pm, GSZ Stadium
Scotland v Japan Wednesday 14 February, 12pm, Dasaki Stadium
Scotland v Sweden Saturday 17 February, 2pm (Larnaca)
Goalkeepers :-
Gemma Fay (Leeds United LFC), Claire Johnstone (Hamilton Academical LFC)
Defenders :-
Ifeoma Dieke (Soccerlocker), Julie Ferguson (Hibernian LFC), Rhonda Jones (Florida Atlantic University), Michelle Kerr (Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC), Amy McDonald (FC Kilmarnock), Leanne Ross (Newburgh LFC), Jayne Sommerville (Glasgow City LFC)
Midfielders :-
Denise Brolly (Florida Atlantic University), Amanda Burns (Hibernian LFC), Stacey Cook (Hibernian LFC), Joanne Love (Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC), Kirsty McBride (Hibernian LFC), Megan Sneddon (Glasgow City LFC)
Forwards :-
Julie Fleeting (Arsenal LFC), Suzanne Grant (Hibernian LFC), Pauline Hamill (Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC), Kim Little (Hibernian LFC), Suzanne Malone (Hamilton Academical LFC)
