Ukraine 0-4 Scotland: Scots with one foot in Women’s World Cup play-offs

Scotland all but sealed a place in the Women’s World Cup play-offs as a thumping first-half performance was too much for Ukraine in Poland.

Caroline Weir’s early penalty was added to by Erin Cuthbert and a Martha Thomas double, all before half-time.

Scotland could clinch a play-off spot on Tuesday if Ukraine beat Hungary.

Even if they do not, Hungary would need at least a point against Spain, a side they lost 7-0 at home to last September, and hope Scotland do the unthinkable against the Faroes, the group’s bottom-side.

Those play-offs could become complicated, with the possibility of having to travel to the other side of the world just to qualify. But pre-match Pedro Martinez Losa’s side would have bitten your hand off for the opportunity.

Amidst the emotion of a big night for Ukraine around an hour from their country’s border, their players lined up for the anthem draped in the flag of their country in much the same way their men’s side had before ending Steve Clarke’s World Cup dream.

And they could have been ahead inside three minutes when, after Thomas was denied from close range, Kateryna Korsun galloped up the right wing on the counter attack, picked out Nicole Kozlova in the box, who lashed her shot over the bar.

But the luck was with Scotland. Just four minutes later, Claire Emslie appeared to kick the leg of Korsun but the referee deemed it a foul the other way and pointed at the penalty spot.

Weir duly dispatched the spot kick inside the right-hand post and the Scots were on their way.

Even the lead did not settle Scotland nerves. Lee Gibson’s clearance put her defence under pressure, Sophie Howard coughed up possession, and had Anna Petryk managed to hit her shot with more power, Ukraine may well have been level.

Soon, though, it was 2-0. Thomas back-heeled into the path of Cuthbert, who rode a weak challenge and knocked the ball past goalkeeper Kateryna Samson with a composed finish.

Before the game was a quarter of the way through, it was 3-0. Cuthbert’s corner found Thomas at the back post who tapped it home.

And in almost a carbon copy of the move came the fourth, again Cuthbert’s corner picking out Thomas, who looped a header over a crowded box and into the far corner.

Only a goal-line clearance denied Thomas her maiden Scotland hat-trick before she was substituted along with Cuthbert who failed to shrug off a thumping challenge from Inna Hlushchenko.

Hlushchenko almost made an impact at the right end of the park when her looping shot forced Gibson to tip over the bar in Ukraine’s best chance of the game, but Scotland’s goal was not to be breached.

Player of the match – Erin Cuthbert

What did we learn?

Scotland so often under Martinez Losa have made it hard for themselves, bossing possession but offering too little in the final third.

And the last time these two sides met, Abi Harrison’s 93-minute equaliser salvaged a point.

However, this time it was a hungry and clinical Scotland side who had the game won within 20 minutes.

With Spain out of sight in the group, finishing second was the aim and only a calamity can deny them that now.

What they said

Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa tells BBC Sportsound: “I’m sure we can repeat this kind of performance more often. The heart and dedication of the team was very good.

“We knew we could exploit space in behind. We had moments we could control the game in possession. I’m pleased with that.

“In this moment we can’t ask the players for more. Ukraine are a good team coached by one of the best in the world. In this moment of the season, every player gave everything.

“It’s a step forward. We have to get consistency in the line-up so we can compete. The players are competing for places in training and that’s what you want as a manager.”

What’s next?

Scotland travel to Faroe Islands on 6 September to complete their Group B campaign. Ukraine are in action again on Tuesday when they face Hungary in the same Poland.

Adblock test (Why?)

Read Original Article