Scots ‘need’ to qualify – but no pressure

FOLLOWING Scotland women’s last competitive outing – a nail-biting 3-2 win over Poland – winger Lisa Evans stated that her country “needed” to qualify for the 2019 World Cup,

It was a statement made in the heat of battle but two months later, and in the week of one of the nation’s most important international matches to date, she feels no differently.

Tomorrow, Scotland take on Switzerland at Paisley’s Simple Digital Arena in a match that is make-or-break for their World Cup qualification hopes.

Currently, the Swiss top Group 2 on 18 points, with Scotland three behind.

And so to guarantee an automatic qualifying spot, the Scots must defeat the Swiss by two clear goals and then follow that up with a victory over Albania five days later.

But while the 26-yearold is under no illusions as to the magnitude of this brace of games, she is refusing to pile the pressure upon her and her team-mate’s shoulders.

“It remains the same that I feel like we need to qualify,” the Arsenal wide player said.

“We’re not putting pressure on ourselves, especially in terms of goals. If we win twice, might still be enough because the Swiss still need to play Poland in their last game.”

Evans, who has 66 caps for Scotland and previously played for Glasgow City, Turbine Potsdam and Bayern Munich before her move to Arsenal in June 2017, added: “Switzerland are a really good team with some really good individual players so first and foremost, we’re just looking to win the games.” it