Cuthbert determined to live World Cup dream
SCOTLAND striker Erin Cuthbert is optimistic that securing maximum points from their opening two games can lay the foundations for back-to-back World Cup finals qualification.
The 23-year-old had to recover her composure on Friday night after seeing her penalty saved — she converted the rebound for the opening goal as Scotland claimed a 2-0 win over Hungary.
Martha Thomas added the second-half goal to secure a merited three points from a testing trip to Budapest.
Next up is a visit from group minnows Faroe Islands, fresh from a 10-0 thrashing by Spain.
Chelsea star Cuthbert is confident of making it to the
2023 finals in Australia and New Zealand and is using the pain of failing to qualify for next year’s European Championship finals to inspire this group into challenging top seeds Spain and Ukraine.
‘We’ve set a target,’ said Cuthbert. ‘Not qualifying for the Euros has made everyone so hungry. There was a passion to get the job done.
‘Hungary is not an easy place to go to. The pitch wasn’t good and you’re flying in the night before and back after the game. I’m determined to get to the tournament with Scotland.’
Six points from six for Pedro Martinez Losa’s side would present a solid start to the campaign before the November double-header against Ukraine and Spain.
Spain’s thumping win over the Faroes on Friday night got their campaign off to a flier but Cuthbert is wary of any reaction from the humiliated Faroese players as they head to Hampden.
‘If I was coming off a result like that I’d want to prove a point,’ she said. ‘It’s a game we’re expected to win. There’s no hiding from that but we need to put on a professional performance.’
Losa had only days to prepare the squad for the trip to Budapest, having been introduced to them only last Sunday, and Cuthbert appreciates it will take time to implement the style he wants the team to play.
‘We’ve come out of the blocks quite quickly,’ she said. ‘Pedro has got us playing with a different style — we’re not all going to learn it in four days, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
‘I’m like a sponge at the moment taking in every bit of information he’s given me. I’ve already learned so much in how he wants little bits of movement and he has the practical details down to a “T”.
‘It’s so insightful. We’re really enjoying his passion as well. He wants to play football through the thirds but it’s nice that he says if it’s not on we can go long.
‘He’s creating a team that is robust enough not only to challenge the top teams, but beat them as well. We’re not going to sit back and defend for 90 minutes.
‘This country has good players and we need to start using them.’