Who's that then ?

Caroline Collie

I thought she had been called up , or am I thinking of her going to the under 21's

She has not been called up for a while for no real reasons...

The Scottish coach must keep an eye on her players that play in the English league as Gemma Faye is at Leeds and quite a few are at Doncaster Rovers. It is strange as usually if your playing well you at least get into a camp if not called up for a friendly.

Saying that Katie Anderton scores bucketload with Blackburn with a ratio close to 1 goal a game and does not get called up for England. Every country has its pariah ( is it an english word?)

Yes it's an English word.

It is bad when someone like Anderton scores bucket loads and then there's Aluko who doesn't and gets picked.

Gemma a top quality keeper? As a friend she is a great laugh but when i see her train here sometimes have seen only her kicking and that was poor

She was kind enough to sign my WFA final programme 2 years ago after Arsenal had scored 5 past her

Funnily enough - and totally off-topic - I got Rachel Brown (England's gk) just after Arsenal had scored 5 past her too

She does some good save, overall Caz is a better player IMO, brings more security to her defenders.

Cyprus Cup

Scotland off to bad start losing 2-1 to USA U20's.

Other results

Canada 2 - 1 Russia

Japan 3 - 1 Holland

Scotland beat Canada 2-0 and with a rookie in goal earning her first cap as well.

Scotland basked in glorious victory after beating Canada 2-0 in their Cyprus Cup match at the Alpha Sports Centre, Larnaca this afternoon.

The Scots, as in their previous matches in the tournament dominated much of this match against Canada who are ranked nine in the world. Scotland showed great composure, discipline and determination in their play to signal a new momentum in the National team’s development.

A high tempo of play and severe pressure in all areas of the pitch saw Canadian composure pressurised, it was this hard work and tenacity, which paid dividends for Scotland in the second half.

Good work on the Scots flank by Pauline Hamill, saw her cross turned into the net in 65 minutes by Joanne Love. Continued pressure by Scotland provided further opportunities for Kim Little and Natalie Ross.

But it was Hamill the provider for the opening goal who completed the scoring in 78 minutes after excellent work on the left by her team mate Mandy Burns.

This was a perfect afternoon to make a debut as Joanne Hutchison gained her first full International Cap against the Canadians in goal, making an impressive start to her International career by keeping a clean sheet.

Coach Anna Signeul was delighted with the performance of her team ‘I really am not surprised at our victory here this afternoon as we have all felt that with each game we have played in the tournament, our performance has improved. I am really pleased at the manner in which we won, as we had solid performances throughout the team, and genuinely feel as a unit that we are progressing rapidly. This was really satisfying for everyone associated with the team.’

Scotland were supported by a group of coaches from the women’s clubs who are in Cyprus as part of an education and development programme set up by Signeul through a Leonardo da Vinci funding project. This is part of her plan to support the coaches in order that the women’s clubs in Scotland are better equipped to support the development of their players who are in the National Team.

SCOTLAND
Joanna Hutchison
Julie Ferguson
Ifeoma Dieke
Amy McDonald (Capt)
Jennifer Beattie
Joanne Love
Amanda Burns
Kim Little
Megan Sneddon
Julie Ferguson
Suzanne Grant

Substitutes:
Gemma Fay
Rhonda Jones
Leanne Ross
Hollie Thomson
Michelle Kerr
Natalie Ross
Pauline Hamill
Joelle Murray
Julie Fleeting (Injured)

Thanks for that Graham - I've been looking for a report

Cyprus Cup results



Canada 3 - 2 USA U20's

Japan 2 - 1 Holland

Russia 3 - 2 Scotland

Table Standings

1) Canada

2) USA U20's

3) Japan

4) Holland

5) Russia

6) Scotland


I think it's the first time in a while that Fleets hasn't scored in international games.

Scotland competed well in the heat of the GSP Stadium in Nicosia this afternoon against a strong Russian side. Elana Morozova put Russia ahead after she controlled the ball on her chest and then rocketed the ball into the Scotland net in the 13th minute of the game.

Scotland responded in 21 minutes when good pressure by Jo Love in midfield forced errors in the Russian defence which led to good combination play between Hamill and Kim Little, that ended in the latters’ shot going wide of the outstretched hand of Maria Pigaleva after a deflection.

Scotland started the second half with intense pressure on the Russians which saw chances created for Kerr, Ross and Little, but the substitute keeper Elvira Todua mopped up the pressure. Russia took the lead again when a magnificent diagonal strike from Morozova flashed into right hand side of Fay’s goal.

Further pressure from Scotland saw them lose a goal to a Russian counter attack, when a free kick from a wide area was converted in 85 minutes by Truntaeva, who volleyed the ball into the Scotland net.

Once again the Scots continued to be incredibly tenacious, pinning the Russians down in their own half with constant pressure, especially on the Russian goal. This pressure paid off when three minutes from time Hollie Thomson’s shot was deflected in for a well deserved goal.

Anna Signeul commented after the match ‘We are disappointed at having lost this game today. We competed very well, and put the Russians under a lot of pressure from early in the game. This tournament has provided us with many positive aspects to be proud of with regard to our fitness, and the platform we provided for young players who have stepped up to the challenge, and competed incredibly well.

I also think that these games have shown us that Scotland is closing the gap on the teams which have a higher FIFA Ranking than us. We must ensure we continue to support the players in order that they can compete on a level playing field.’

Scotland
Gemma Fay
Rhonda Jones
Ifeoma Dieke
Michelle Kerr (Capt)
Jennifer Beattie
Joanne Love
Stacey Cook
Amanda Burns
Kim Little
Megan Sneddon
Pauline Hamill

Substitutes:
Joanna Hutchison
Julie Ferguson
Leanne Ross
Amy McDonald
Hollie Thomson
Natalie Ross
Joelle Murray
Suzanne Grant
Julie Fleeting (Injured)

She is injured smithy

SCOTLAND WOMEN TO PLAY TWO CRUCIAL QUALIFIERS

Tuesday, 22 Apr 2008

Scotland Women’s National Coach Anna Signeul today announced the squad that will be taking part in the next two UEFA Women’s European Championship Qualification matches, away to both Denmark and Portugal.

The squad has a busy schedule for the next couple of weeks between training and travelling for their next two qualification matches, taking place only one week apart.

Scotland play Denmark on Sunday 27 April, kick-off 11am (UK Time) at Viborg Stadium, Denmark and then play Portugal on Saturday 3 May, Kick-off 4pm at Municipal Sadium Povoa do Varzim, Portugal.

Anna Signeul commented on the challenging time ahead for Scotland:

‘We are looking forward to the campaign starting up again, we have been training hard and have had good preparation with 5 matches under our belts and I am confident in the team doing well against both countries.’

Scotland are in Group 5 with Ukraine, Denmark, Slovakia and Portugal and currently sit in third place with 4 points taken from 4 matches.

Scotland’s next home UEFA Qualifier is against group leaders Ukraine on Wednesday 28 May 2008, McDiarmid Park, Perth, Kick Off 7.30pm

SCOTLAND SQUAD
Gemma Fay Hibernian LFC
Joanna Hutcheson Edinburgh LFC

Julie Ferguson Hibernian LFC
Ifeoma Dieke Kristianstads DFF
Rhonda Jones Tampa Bay Hellenic
Michelle Kerr Hibernian LFC
Amy McDonald Queens Park LFC
Leanne Ross Glasgow City LFC

Jennifer Beattie Celtic LFC (PORTUGAL ONLY)
Amanda Burns Hibernian LFC
Stacey Cook Hibernian LFC
Joanne Love Celtic LFC
Megan Sneddon Glasgow City LFC
Natalie Ross Hibernian LFC
Joelle Murray Hibernian LFC

Julie Fleeting Arsenal LFC
Suzanne Grant Hibernian LFC
Pauline Hamill Blackburn LFC
Kim Little Arsenal LFC

The following players are on stand-by:
Claire Johnstone Celtic LFC
Hayley Cunningham Celtic LFC

DENMARK 2 SCOTLAND 1

Sunday, 27 Apr 2008

Scotland Women’s National team narrowly losing away from home 2-1 against Denmark today at Viborg Stadium in the UEFA Women’s European Championship Qualification campaign.

Despite going in at half time leading from a good set piece, the Scots high was to be reduced to a huge low as Denmark scored two before the hour mark in the game.

Scotland Coach Anna Signeul commented on the match:

‘I am very pleased with the our first half performance with an early goal from Meggan Sneddon in the 28th minute, we had great hopes. As always with the top teams in the world, scoring first can bring it's own pressures, and the Danish team who also played well in the first half unfortunately pressured us, eventually we couldn’t keep up the level of our performance in the second half, and we lost 2 goals in the 51st (Canilla Fand Andersen) and 58th minute (Merete Pedersen).

Signeul also stated that Denmark are one of the best teams in the world at the moment, and have recently beaten two of the world’s best teams, Sweden and Germany in the Algarve Cup. But for Scotland too, our performances of late have been very good, so we have actually raised the bar for ourselves, and what our expectation is of ourselves, while that is disappointing, we must remember the quality of the team we played against today, and not be too hard on ourselves.

We are disappointed to lose this match but can only learn from it , our thoughts, preparation and focus must now be toward our next qualifier at the weekend in Portugal.’

Signeul will be hoping for a return to her squad of injured Captain Julie Fleeting, and with Jennifer Beattie able to travel to Portugal, the Scots should be at full strength again.

Scotland’s next qualification match is against Portugal on Saturday 3 May, Kick-off 4pm at Municipal Sadium Povoa do Varzim, Portugal.

SCOTLAND TEAM
Gemma Fay Hibernian LFC
Rhonda Jones Tampa Bay Hellenic
Ifeoma Dieke Kristianstads DFF
Michelle Kerr Hibernian LFC
Joanne Love Celtic LFC
Amanda Burns Hibernian LFC
Kim Little Arsenal LFC
Megan Sneddon Glasgow City LFC
Pauline Hamill Blackburn LFC
Leanne Ross Glasgow City LFC
Natalie Ross Hibernian LFC

SUBSTITUTES
Joanna Hutcheson Edinburgh LFC
Stacey Cook Hibernian LFC (65th Minute for Natalie Ross)
Suzanne Grant Hibernian LFC (62nd Minute for Pauline Hamill)
Hayley Cunningham Celtic LFC
Julie Ferguson Hibernian LFC
Amy McDonald Queens Park LFC
Joelle Murray Hibernian LFC (85th Minute for Amanda Burns)

Blimey Fleets has been out for ages. Scotland really do need her.

They may as well try and get their act together without her, just like Arsenal have to