The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Scotland Women clinched their place at the World Cup finals for the first time with a 2-1 win in Albania to pip Switzerland in qualifying Group 2.
Scotland Women have qualified for the World Cup for the first time after a 2-1 win over Albania in Elbasan yesterday.
Jane Ross clinched victory with a 68th-minute header after Megi Doci had cancelled out Kim Little’s ninth-minute opener on the stroke of half-time.
The result took Scotland to the top of Group Two above Switzerland, who were held to a goalless draw by Poland, and through to a place at France 2019.
Scotland controlled large spells of the game and were finally rewarded for creating numerous chances when Ross pounced following a Caroline Weir free-kick.
The Scots went into the game knowing that a draw would secure at least a play-off spot but they ensured they went through automatically by producing a dominant performance.
Little smashed home the opening goal after a Lisa Evans cross was nodded across the area.
Scotland should have added to their lead before the break and paid the price for missing a host of chances when Doci levelled against the run of play.
Head coach Shelley Kerr was delighted with her team’s performance and hailed the work ethic that saw the Scots “do it the hard way”.
She said: “It’s not often I’m lost for words but I’m really emotional.
“The whole week has been draining, for the players and the staff but in my heart of hearts I genuinely believed that Poland would get something out the game against Switzerland and we’d beat Albania
“We’ve done it the hard way during the campaign but we’ve shown great maturity and determination to succeed. There are so many people to praise such as the clubs who have got all the players physically prepared to be such a great condition.
“These moments don’t come along too often so I’m absolutely ecstatic and it’ll take a while for it to sink in that we’re off to our first World Cup.”
Captain Rachel Corsie said: “At the final whistle it was hard to know what to do. It was just an incredibly surreal feeling. The girls deserve it as there’s been so many key moments in this campaign that have shown what we’re about.
“We need to enjoy that and we will because we deserve to.
“We were extremely disappointed to lose the goal before half-time as it was extremely sloppy and unnecessary, putting us under a little bit of pressure but that’s typical Scotland.
“This is by far the best moment in my career. The World Cup is the pinnacle of football and to have the opportunity to go over there and be on that stage with the best teams in the world is going to be incredibly special.
“When teams are winning and doing well, the fans want to support you so to get to two consecutive tournaments is huge and the World Cup is the biggest stage of all so I’m sure there will be a huge crowd over in France and that’s something for us to look forward to.
“I’m so incredibly happy for every single one of the girls who’ve played their part. We’ve been fantastic and now we’ve set ourselves a benchmark.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon offered her congratulations, tweeting: “Scotland qualifies for the World Cup!! Massive congratulations to our women’s team as they show us how it’s done. I’m a very proud team patron!”
Beth Mead marked her full Lionesses debut with two goals as England Women – who qualified after beating Wales last week – wrapped up their campaign with a resounding 6-0 victory in Kazakhstan.
We’ve done it the hard way during the campaign but we’ve shown great maturity and determination to succeed. SHELLEY KERR