Lee’s World Cup bid
Scotland Women’s keeper bids for World Cup place
Scotland goalkeeper Lee Alexander can help her country make history over the next week as they bid to reach the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
It has been 20 years since a Scotland team last played at a World Cup finals, when the men’s side made it to France 98.
But that could be about to change as wins over Switzerland and Albania would send Alexander’s team to, of all places, France for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
Ahead of their do-or-die double header, the 26-year-old, from Stewartfield, said: “We are two wins away from a World Cup final – as strange as that sounds for someone Scottish – and it’s exciting that we have got it in our own hands to make it there.
“The pinnacle of any player’s career is representing your country at a World Cup and that’s what we are aiming for.
“We’ve taken a lot of momentum from making the European Championships last year and we’ve had a relatively successful campaign so far.
“We are not there yet, but it’s exciting to continue our campaign this week.
“Everyone is looking forward to getting out on the pitch and playing these games.”
Scotland, who lost 1-0 to group leaders Switzerland in April’s reverse fixture, must beat the Swiss by two clear goals on Thursday night to turn the tide in their favour at the top of Group Two.
In order to qualify, they would then need to at least match the result of the Swiss in the final round of fixtures next Tuesday, when the Scots head to Albania and Switzerland travel to Poland. A second place finish would likely be enough to send them into the play-offs as one of four best runners-up.
There are plenty of permutations that could see Alexander’s side qualify for next summer’s showpiece, but she insists they won’t let that distract them when they face the Swiss at the Simple Digital Arena in Paisley.
The Glasgow City star, who has 10 caps for her country, said: “The ideal situation is to win by two goals, but the three points is our focus.
“Switzerland are ranked above us, but we gave them a good game last time.
“They were fortunate to get an early goal over there and, even although we had a couple for chances, we couldn’t really break them down.
“Anything less than three points isn’t going to be enough for us.
“It’s exciting to know we go into the game able to compete with them and capable of winning the game.”
Alexander’s side needed two late goals against Poland in June to keep their dreams alive, as they came from behind to win 3-2 in Kielce.
And the Poles could do Scotland a favour by causing an upset in Switzerland’s final game.
“Poland are capable of that, but we have to take care of our own business,” Alexander insisted.
“If we beat Switzerland and don’t win by two goals, then it could come down to goal difference, but we know we have Albania [who Scotland thrashed 5-0 earlier in the campaign] to come in the last game.
“It would still be in our hands.”