It may only be a friendly, but manager Anna Signeul says Scotland’s encounter with Belgium in Leuven tomorrow night (Tuesday) will be a great test as her side continue their preparations for Euro 2017 writes CATHERINE ETOE…
Scotland have drawn twice with Denmark and beaten New Zealand and Austria in 2017 and Signeul says that in fellow European Championship debutants Belgium, they face another technical, skillful and organised opposition.
“I think they are an up-and-coming team, in the qualification campaign they drew against England so defensively they are strong,” she told She Kicks.
“They have technical players, fast players, good decision makers and also, a great organisation, defence and gameplan.
“That’s why we play these games, we want high intensity games and we want to play against a really good Belgium team because we need that.”
The Scotland team that Belgium can expect to face will not include established favourites such as Kim Little, Jo Love, Rachel Corsie, Joelle Murray, Jenny Beattie and Hayley Lauder.
Injuries to those key players, plus a longer-term hamstring problem suffered by Arsenal full-back Emma Mitchell have presented Signeul with a headache ahead of the tie, but the Swede was happy not to rush her players back.
“Some of the players that aren’t here, it’s very much for precaution, take this time to do rehab and to train but not stress,” she said.
“It might have been different if it had been a competitive game, but it’s not and it’s not the time for these players to rush to get back, it’s better that they stay in their clubs and try to recover.”
Signeul still has experienced internationals in the group, with defenders Ifeoma Dieke and Frankie Brown, midfielders Leanne Ross and Lisa Evans, striker Jane Ross and keeper Gemma Fay boasting almost 700
caps between them.
But the manager has introduced some new faces this week, with Celtic midfielder and skipper Kelly Clark and former England youth defenders Sophie Howard of German side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Vaila Barsley of Swedish outfit Eskilstuna United all joining up with the squad in Edinburgh.
Barsley, a former Arsenal Academy footballer and qualified accountant who has also played in Iceland, said she was delighted to get the call-up.
“I’m very happy to be given the opportunity to be here, to get to join the squad at this stage,” the 29-year-old told us.
“I understand that they have fantastic players that are unfortunately injured at the moment, but I’m happy to be here. Hopefully, I can show what kind of player I am, I have a lot of passion, I like to win.”
Signeul says those who do get to line-up against 23rd in the world Belgium at the Stadion Den Dreef will undoubtedly benefit from the experience.
“Your technique is challenged, your decision making, and your fitness,” she said. “It is a really important game in that sense and we are doing everything we can to prepare ourselves in the best way.
“This is a great opportunity for some players to step up and take responsibility and show they want to be in the team and want to lead the team so I’m really looking forward to it.”
(Images: Catherine Etoe)
SCOTLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Gemma Fay (Glasgow City) 197 caps
Lee Alexander (Glasgow City) 0 caps
Shannon Lynn (Vittsjö GIK) 23 caps
Defenders
Frankie Brown (Bristol City) 84 caps
Kelly Clark (Celtic) 0 caps
Ifeoma Dieke (Vittsjö GIK) 117 caps
Nicola Docherty (Glasgow City) 11 caps
Kirsty Smith (Hibernian) 21 caps
Sophie Howard (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) 0 caps
Vaila Barsley (Eskilstuna United) 0 caps
Midfielders
Leanne Crichton (Notts County) 48 caps
Claire Emslie (Bristol City) 2 caps
Lisa Evans (FC Bayern München) 57 caps
Lucy Graham (Hibernian) 0 caps
Christie Murray (Doncaster Rovers Belles) 45 caps
Leanne Ross (Glasgow City FC) 129 caps
Caroline Weir (Liverpool) 35 caps
Forwards
Lizzie Arnot (Hibernian) 12 caps
Fiona Brown (Eskilstuna United) 15 caps
Lana Clelland (UPC Tavagnacco) 12 caps
Jane Ross (Manchester City) 102 caps
