Ross to the fore as Scots win World Cup opener

Striker Jane Ross grabbed aquick equaliser and then forced Belarus to concede a second-half own goal to ensure Scotland’s 2019 World Cup campaign didn’t get off to an unscripted start in Minsk.

Shelley Kerr’s side were well worthy of the three points in Group 2 but slack finishing prevented the scoreline from being far more convincing.

“I’m just happy toget the three points,” said Manchester City player Ross. “The goal was a bit of a scramble. It just kind of fell to me and I finished it.

“It’s always difficult to win away from home, especially in your first game of a qualifying campaign.

“There’ s aspects of the performance we canbe really pleased about.”

Kerr madethree changes to the side which had started against Hungary last month. Defenders Kirst y Smith and Jen Beattie, as well as No 10 Christie Murray, were the players who came in.

Scotland made a bright start and had two decent chances to score in the opening eight minutes.

Caroline Weir, who had been brought down outside the penalty area by Anna Kozyupa, took the free-kick herself and curledit round the wall, forcing Nat ali a Voskobovich into a good save.

Ross then over- ran the ball when she was about to pull the trigger, but despite this bright start Belarus came close themselves and were only denied by a fine reaction save from Lee Alexander.

The chancesdried up but Scotland continued to dominate the possession and it was areal surprise when Anastania K harlan ova gave Belarus the lead midway through the half.

She collected across from the right and lobbed the ball over Alexanderfrom close range.

Scotland responded within three minutes after Ross had won a corner. It was sent over by Weir and bundled home bythe strikerfor her 52 nd Scotland goal.

Claire Emslie missed a great chance to put Scotland ahead six minutes after the interval, failing to find the target after Lisa Evans had set her up with a run down the right and low cross.

TheScots rampedup the tempo and finallygot their winning goal after 62 minutes. It was all down to Ross who ran the length of the Belarus half despite being tugged back.

Her cut back was turned into her own goal by central defender Kozyupa and Kerr’s side were able to easily see the game out.

SCOTLAND WOMEN: Alexander, Smith, Corsie, Beattie, Lauder; Weir ( Crichton 78), Love, Emslie, Murray ( Cuthbert 78), Evans ( Brown 84), Ross. Unused subs: Lynn, Arthur, Clelland, Murray