Scots in fine shape for qualifiers after double over Kiwis

Rosengard forward Fiona Brown believes the increased competition for places will stand Scotland in good stead for next month’s key 2019 World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Poland. Only one of the three nations is likely to qualify for the finals in France.

Brown provided the assist for the opening goal, scored by Manchester City’s Jane Ross, and added the second herself in the second half. It was the second such scoreline against the Football Ferns within 72 hours at the Pinatar Arena.

“They are above us in the rankings, so to come over here and beat them twice is a good achievement,” Brown said. “They weren’t scrappy 1-0 wins either – we were quite dominant in both performances. We can take a lot of positives into the World Cup qualifiers, which are the games that matter.”

“It’s so good for the squad having that improved competition and knowing that any one of us could play. That’s one big difference between this year and last year.”

Brown was one of three changes made by head coach Shelley Kerr, with captain Rachel Corsie making her first start since October. Hibernian full-back Kirsty Smith came in for Chloe Arthur and there was a late substitute debut for Glasgow City forward Abbi Grant.

“I’ve told the players they’ve come a long way in a short time in terms of how they’re trying to play the game,” Kerr said. “It’snotgoingtobeeasyagainst Switzerland and Poland, but we’ve prepared as best we can and that’s all we can do.”

The further good news is that Kim Little is expected to return for these games. She missed the Euros with an ACL injury but made her first start for Arsenal just before the Scotland squad left for Spain.