Signeul ‘very proud’ as patchwork side suffer narrow defeat
A headed goal six minutes from time denied a patchedup Scotland side a draw and saved face for Olympic silver medallists Sweden.
Anna Signeul’s side played the last 30 minutes with two central defenders who had never been in a national squad before April, yet came close to snatching a draw. “The players showed huge hearts tonight and I’m very proud of that,” said Signeul after watching fellow countrywoman Caroline Seger score the winner.
“If it had been the Euros it would have been devastating that we didn’t go away with a point – but I think we achieved what we came here to do.
“That was to stand up to Sweden and defend well.”
Signeul made two changes to the side which beat Romania 2-0 at Falkirk on Friday night. Hibernian captain Joelle Murray replaced Ifeoma Dieke, who came off injured against the Romanians, while Corsie, normally a central defender, was pushed forward in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Gemma Fay was again in goal, which means her next cap will take her total to 200.
Sweden scorned three good chances to take the lead in the opening seven minutes, setting the tone for a first half which they dominated. Lotta Schelin failed with two of the attempts, putting one into the side netting when Scotland were caught cold down the right and having the second stopped on the line by fullback Frankie Brown.
The Scots could barely get out of their own half but somehow survived a barrage of crosses and corners.
Vaila Barsley and Murray made good blocks to prevent the home side scoring, while Frankie Brown again had to clear off the line from Schelin.
Swedish goalkeeper Hefvig Lindahl barely touched the ball in the first half as the out ball to Jane Ross was regularly mopped up by the home defenders.
Jo Love replaced Corsie at the start of what was initially a much more even second half and Sophie Howard came on for Murray with half an hour to play.
The visitors finally got the sniff of a goal but Seger intervened to turn Caroline Weir’s free-kick away for a corner with Barsley in a good position to score just behind her.
Sweden, with their fresh legs, mounted an all-out onslaught in the final 17 minutes. Lisa Evans made the third goalline clearance and then Seger hit the bar with a header seconds later.
The goal arrived six minutes from time when Seger beat Howard in the air to direct her header beyond Fay.