Scots have a World Cup slot in their sights
Scotland’s women have never qualified for a World Cup, but two games in the next nine days could put them on course for a trip to France next summer.
First up are Group 2 leaders and top seeds Switzerland in Schaffhausen on Thursday. Then it’s Poland in Paisley a week on Tuesday.
Glasgow City midfieder Jo Love believes Scotland can win both games and end her own 16-year wait to play on the world’s biggest stage.
The 32-year-old won her first cap against Canada in 2002 and now has 184, making her easily Scotland’s mostcapped outfield player of all time.
Having sought an assurance from Scotland head coach Shelley Kerr that she was still in her plans, Love hopes to end her record-breaking career on a high.
“I have to believe we’re going to win the group,” Love said. “On our day and all going well for us we can beat Switzerland.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be in this game. “We have another crack at it in the return game – but I think we’re more than capable of beating Switzerland, and Poland, home and away.” The Scots have been boosted by the appearance of Kim Little in the squad for the first time in more than a year.
The Arsenal midfielder, who is Scotland’s only world-class player ruptured a cruciate ligament in a trainingground incident last May.
The injury cost Little her only chance of playing in a major championships as Scotland had qualified for Euro 2017. She only returned to the Arsenal side this month. “Just the mention of her name in the squad is a boost,” Love confirmed. “If Switzerland and Poland know Kim is coming back, that’s going to scare a few people. “We know exactly what Kim’s about and she’s going to bring that extra bit of professionalism we need. She’s going to be massive for us.
“I saw the second half of her first full game back for Arsenal and she looked like she’d never been away.” Scotland at one time were a much better team than Switzerland, winning four and drawing three of seven games between the sides from 2006-11.
They haven’t played since, but the arrival of German manager Monika Voss-tecklenberg at the start of 2012 transformed Switzerland.
They qualified for their first World Cup in 2015 and, like Scotland, their first Euros last year. The Swiss have played four games in Group 2, winning them all. Scotland have played two games, also winning both. Poland have six points from three games.