|
SCOTLAND 0 ITALY
2 2
FEBRUARY 2010
GSZ Stadium,
Larnaca |
 |
Two late
goals spoiled a
solid Scotland
performance in a
game hampered by
driving rain and
strong winds.
Scotland were
disciplined and
organised, but
neither side
dominated during
an evenly
matched first
half.
Italy looked
dangerous going
forward, but the
Scotland
defence, which
boasted two
changes from the
opening game,
was composed.
Jennifer Beattie
(Arsenal)
replaced the
injured Rhonda
Jones
(Hibernian) at
right back,
while Glasgow
City’s Emma
Fernon came in
for Kirsty
McBride
(Hibernian) on
the left.
Fernon had a
busy afternoon,
doing everything
that was asked
of her as she
shackled the
pacey Camporese.
Scotland created
chances -
Glasgow City’s
Jane Ross in
particular
finding plenty
of space on the
left wing - but
the final ball
was lacking.
Celtic forward
Suzanne Grant
broke free as
the half came to
an end, getting
on the end of a
perfectly
weighted Fernon
pass, but was
flagged offside.
Conditions
deteriorated in
the second half,
as Scotland
continued to
match the
Italians, all
over the pitch.
Scotland’s
defence coped
well as Italy
applied
pressure.
Glasgow City’s
Rachel Corsie
shepherded the
ball out after a
dangerous
free-kick into
the box, while
Gemma Fay
(Celtic) pulled
off a string of
saves.
Scotland’s hard
work looked like
it might pay off
as they began to
enjoy their best
period of the
match. A header
on by Grant sent
Pauline Hamill
(Spartans)
racing free in
the box, only to
be pulled back
after a tight
offside call.
Substitute
Hayley Lauder
(Spartans),
picking up her
first Scotland
cap, called
Italian ‘keeper
Marchitelli into
action, after
getting on the
end of a Beattie
cross.
|
But it was Italy
who grabbed the
opener in the
83rd minute.
Scotland were
caught
ball-watching as
a long throw
bounced in the
box, and fell to
Tuttino, who
lobbed Fay.
As Scotland
pressed for the
leveller,
Camporese broke
forward and
squared to
Domenichetti to
wrap up the
points a minute
from time. And
there was
further
disappointment
when Grant was
stretchered off
after taking a
knock to the
foot.
Her replacement
Diana Barry
(Spartans) had a
chance to pull
one back in the
dying seconds
when she got on
the end of a
Leanne Ross free
kick, but her
effort flashed
wide.
National coach
Anna Signeul
said: “It’s so
disappointing to
lose in this
way. We were
disciplined and
well organised,
we defended well
and we prevented
their playmakers
from getting on
the ball. Our
game-plan worked
well for 83
minutes, and
then a lapse of
concentration
cost us.
“With the new
March to
November season
for women’s
football in
Scotland, most
of our players
hadn’t kicked a
ball before this
week, but we are
improving with
every game and
put in a solid
performance
against a top
side. The
smallest
mistakes are
punished at this
level, and our
young players in
particular will
learn from this
experience.”
Scotland
G Fay (Celtic),
J Beattie
(Arsenal), I
Dieke (Chicago
Red Stars), L
Ross (Glasgow
City, J Love
(Celtic) (J
Murray
(Hibernian),
87), K Little
(Arsenal), S
Grant (Celtic)
(D Barry
(Spartans), 86),
P Hamill
(Spartans), J
Ross (Glasgow
City) (H Lauder
(Spartans), 55),
R Corsie
(Glasgow City),
E Fernon
(Glasgow City)
Unused
substitutes
K McBride
(Hibernian),
Lynn (Hibernian,
GK), F Brown
(Hibernian), C
Murray (Celtic) |
|
