PORTUGAL WOMEN HOLD SCOTLAND TO A DRAW
0-0 was the final score when Scotland and Portugal met today at McDiarmid Park in Scotland Women's first UEFA European Qualifying Match of their 2009 Campaign.
Despite the majority of possession and pressure, Scotland could not find the back of the net in this hard fought tie. During a 5 minute spell mid way through the first half, Scotland hit the crossbar and had 2 shots cleared off the line.
The second half was more even and goalkeeper, Gemma Fay, made 2 top class saves to ensure a share of the points. In the last 10 minutes of the match, Scotland had a run of corners with Julie Fleeting almost scoring with her head in the best of these chances but Portugal managed to keep the home side at bay with most of their players defending very deeply.
There were some solid defensive performances and the Player of the Match was 16 year old Kim Little who made her debut for the 'A' Squad in February 2007 but Scotland will be looking to improve on this performance when they go to Ukraine for their next Qualification Match on 30 May.
Scotland: Gemma Fay, Julie Ferguson, Michelle Kerr, Amy McDonald, Leanne Ross (Rhonda Jones 63), Amanda Burns, Kim Little, Joanne Love, Megan Sneddon, Julie Fleeting (c), Pauline Hamill (Suzanne Grant 84)************************************************************************************************************************************
Scotland began their UEFA Women's Championship qualifiers with a disappointing goalless draw at home to Portugal on Sunday. Despite the majority of possession and pressure, Scotland could not find the back of the net in this hard fought tie. During a five-minute spell mid-way through the first half, Scotland hit the crossbar and had two shots cleared off the line.
The second half was more even and goalkeeper, Gemma Fay, made two top class saves to ensure a share of the points. In the last 10 minutes of the match, Scotland had a run of corners with Julie Fleeting almost scoring with her head in the best of these chances but Portugal managed to keep the home side at bay with most of their players defending very deeply.
There were some solid defensive performances and the Player of the Match was 16 year old Kim Little, who made her debut for the 'A' Squad in February 2007 but Scotland will be looking to improve on this performance when they go to Ukraine for their next Qualification Match on 30 May.
Scotland: Gemma Fay, Julie Ferguson, Michelle Kerr, Amy McDonald, Leanne Ross (Rhonda Jones 63), Amanda Burns, Kim Little, Joanne Love, Megan Sneddon, Julie Fleeting (c), Pauline Hamill (Suzanne Grant 84).
In Saturday's fixtures, Sweden needed a stoppage-time Nilla Fischer goal to confirm their Group 2 victory in Italy, after Caroline Seger's 41st minute opener.
In the same group, Hungary trailed visitors Romania by two goals, before eventually rescuing a point in the 89th minute. Goals from Laura Rus and Florentina Spanu put Romania 2-0 up in 17 minutes, a Reka Jakab brace on 40 & 59 minutes levelling the game. Daniela Pufulete seemed to have snatched the winner for Romania in the 87th minute but Erzsebet Milasin had other ideas.
Switzerland won their Group 4 game at home to Belgium, with Nicole Schapper scoring on 16 minutes, whilst Poland also notched what proved to be an early winner in Austria, Anna Zelazko netting on 7 minutes to win the Group 6 clash.************************************************************************************************************************************
Scotland and Portugal shared the points in Perth as defences were on top in the two sides' UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009 Group 5 qualifier.
The hosts, captained by UEFA Women's Cup winner with Arsenal LFC, Julie Fleeting, were on top for much of the contest at McDiarmid Park but were unable to make the pressure tell, twice hitting the crossbar in the opening 45 minutes. Portugal fought back well in a more even second period but could not find a way past Gemma Fay, who made two excellent saves to keep the visitors out. Scotland, for whom the match against Portugal was their first in the group, next travel to Ukraine on 30 May while Portugal have to wait until October for their next action. They visit pool favourites Denmark on 27 October and are looking for their first victory following defeat to Slovakia in April.
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FIRST UEFA QUALIFYING MATCH FOR SCOTLAND WOMEN
Scotland Women take on Portugal in the first of their UEFA Euro 2009 Women’s Qualification matches at McDiarmid Park, Perth, on Sunday 6 May kicking off at 2pm.
Scotland and Portugal met in June, 2003 and May, 2004 in the Qualifying Rounds for Euro 2005. Scotland came out top on those occasions but both teams were overcome by Germany who went on to win the Championships.
This time round, Scotland and Portugal find themselves in Group 5 along with Slovakia, Ukraine and Denmark. Despite challenging opposition, both teams will be looking to improve on their final standings in Euro 2005.
Sitting 21 places above Portugal in the FIFA World Rankings, the home side go in as favourites and following their first win over Italy since 1982 in a friendly match on 6 April, Scotland can approach this match with confidence. See the goals from this match below and if you want to see more of the same, come along and support Scotland Women on 6 May! Admission is just £3 for adults, £1 concessions.The squad to face Portugal is as follows:
Gemma Fay - Leeds United LFC
Claire Johnstone - Hamilton Academical LFC
Julie Ferguson - Hibernian LFC
Amy McDonald - FC Kilmarnock
Michelle Kerr - Hibernian LFC
Ifeoma Dieke - Soccerlocker
Rhonda Jones - Florida Atlantic University
Leanne Ross - Newburgh LFC
Denise Brolly - Florida Atlantic University
Kirsty McBride - Hibernian LFC
Kim Little - Hibernian LFC
Joanne Love - Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC
Megan Sneddon - Glasgow City LFC
Amanda Burns - Hibernian LFC
Julie Fleeting (Stewart)* Arsenal LFC
Pauline Hamill -Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC
Suzanne Malone - Hamilton Academical LFC
Suzanne Grant - Hibernian LFC
