Globetrotting Claire isaimingforgoals galoreintheFaroes
Scotland star, Claire Emslie, says she is hoping for plenty of goals when her side complete World Cup qualifying in the Faroe Islands on Tuesday.
Emslie and her teammates are already guaranteed a place in next month’s play-offs, and face a side which has conceded 50 goals and scored just two in seven Group B outings.
“Every game is huge for us because we don’t get much time together as a squad,” said the 28-year-old.
“It will be time to grow, and hopefully score as manygoalsaswecan.”
Emslie who, along with Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert is one of a trio of stand-out players in the Scotland side, is in a rich vein of form.
She moved from Everton to top league American club, Angel City, in July and scored on her debut against San Diego Wave.
That gave her side a 2-1 win, and the lively winger followed up with another against Gotham FC in a 3-1 victory last Sunday.
Then it was a hop across the Atlantic to join up with the Scotland squad ahead of their friendly against Netherlands in Zwolle on Friday night.
Emslie’s side lost 2-1, but she was again on the scoresheet, running on to a through ball from Celtic captain, Kelly Clark, and beating Daphne van Domselaar with a low shot.
The strike came two minutes after Dutch captain, Vivianne Miedema, had put the hosts ahead with an early goal. That made it an astonishing 95 in 114 Netherlands games for the prolific Arsenal striker.
Miedema was subbed midway through the second half, but her replacement, Fenna Kalma, scored two minutes from the end to make it a memorable debut.
Netherlands won Euro 2017, and Scotland head coach, Pedro Martinez Losa, wanted to play a top side ahead of the World Cup play-offs.
The Scots will know their opponents when the draw is made on Friday.
“It was a great ball by Kelly,” Emslie said. “The curl on the ball got it right in behind the defence, and it was a pretty easy finish.
“I was so close, I just hit it in the corner.
“They came out really wellinthefirst10minutes, and we couldn’t get a foothold in the game.
“Obviously our goal was against the run of play, but it also settled things for us. From there, we got organised and did well to keep them to just that goal at the end.”
After the Faroes game, it will be back to Los Angeles for Emslie. Angel City are a new club backed by numerous celebrities and sportswomen, including Serena Williams.
Emslie said: “I’m enjoying it, and it’s a great experience.”