The men's World Cup in Brazil might be taking place right now, but this Saturday it was another round of qualifying matches for the Women's World Cup taking place in Canada in 2015. With around a year to go the groups were taking shape reaching the latter stages teams looking well placed on the Road to Canada.
The road I took yesterday was a little closer, albeit a long drive up north the watch the Scottish Women's National team take on opponents Sweden in a Group 4 Women's World Cup Qualifier at Motherwell's Fir Park stadium.
Two teams I have been looking forwards to seeing play live. Scotland lead the way in their group having played 6 and taken maximum points on 18 having scored 25 goals along the way and conceded 3. Are a fast improving nation have some very good young players coming through and several players plying their trade overseas in the U.S, Germany and Sweden.
Just 3 points behind in Group 4 are the team seen as favourites to qualify for the World Cup, Sweden. Having played 5 they like Scotland have a 100% record with 5 wins have scored 15 and not conceded a goal. On 15 points 3 behind Scotland. Have world class players throughout the squad have been one of the top nations in Europe and the Rest of the World for a long time.
Today's match was of huge importance for both teams. Could Sweden claim victory and move level on points with Scotland or would the home side take the points and move 6 points clear at the top of the group.
Scotland Women starting XI - Gemma Fay (C), Frankie Brown, Ifeoma Dieke, Jennifer Beattie, Hayley Lauder, Rachel Corsie, Joanne Love, Megan Sneddon, Kim Little, Jane Ross & Lisa Evans
Sweden Women starting XI - Hedvig Lindahl, Emma Berglund, Nilla Fischer, Hanna Folkesson, Sara Thunebro, Caroline Seger, Elin Rubensson, Therese Sjogran, Sofia Jakobsson, Lotta Schelin (C) & Kosovare Asllani
A 5:00pm kick off Motherwell's Fir Park is the home venue for Scotland Women. Is an long established inner city stadium in the heart of the community. Meeting up with friends to watch the game the stands running along side either side of the pitch were open to fans a decent crowd of over 2000 had gathered. The weather was surprisingly good despite the threat of rain all day the sun was out it was bright and the pitch looked in good condition lush and green (no paint needed).
It was Scotland who kick the match under way, had Lisa Evans and Jane Ross in attack looking to power down the left and right channels with their most influential player Kim Little looking to play through the centre. It was the home side with the 1st effort at goal, Joanne Love receiving the ball deep with a speculative drive from 30 yards out that rolls wide of Hedvig Lindahl's goal.
Scotland start the brighter, Lisa Evan's is having so joy down the left pushing forwards with the ball wins a corner. The ball is played in but Sweden clear... only as far as Little who tries to dink the ball back in her effort again wide.
Sweden though soon settle have players throughout the team that look to drive forwards with the ball at their feet. Left Back Sara Thunebro has the ball at her feet powers her way to the touchline and delivers a good cross into the box, Scotland goalkeeper and captain Gemma Fay is well placed to beat the ball down at her near post and stifle the danger.
The pressure is building on Scotland, despite getting the ball forwards to their attacking players it is coming back too regulary. Sweden enjoy a period of sustained possession in and around their opponents penalty area which results in a corner. Played in the ball goes over the crowd in the centre of the box and drops to Caroline Seger unmarked, she plays the ball back across goal her looping effort finding the top corner of the goal 1-0 Sweden.
Not what Scotland wanted they continue to work the ball well, the wide positions still their best avenue of attack. A chance however comes from a mistake from one of Sweden's most experienced players their captain Lotta Schelin, who recieving the ball from deep plays a loose pass back to keeper Lindahl. It is short Scotland are onto it, takes a great tackle from Nilla Fischer to prevent a strike on goal.
On the opposite flank Love and Ross are combining well the latter getting a good cross into the box which Lindahl takes. From the back Ifeoma Dieke breaks forwards plays the ball into Little who has a go that Lindahl claims well.
Lindahl though makes a mistake giving away a free kick as she travels with the ball outside her area, referee Bibiana Steinhaus awarding Scotland an opportunity to strike from the edge of the 18 yard line. It is Little to take strikes it against the wall the referee spotting an infringement points to the spot.. penatly!
It's Little to take and she makes no mistake sending the ball past Lindahl to make it 1-1.
At the other end Gemma Fay makes a brilliant save with her legs as running onto a pass Therese Sjogran is clear on goal.
Sweden win another corner,on the right it is played short the ball launched into the box is cleared but only as far as Sjogran waiting outside the box, she unleashes a powerful drive back towards goal goes through the crowd Fay dives to her left, Sweden's Kosovare Asllani though sticks out a boot in the six yard box that deflects it past the keeper and into the back of the net 2-1 Sweden restore their lead.
Shortly after it is Asllani with another chance has a strike from outside the box this time Fay is beaten, the ball though strikes the upright and is cleared.
Last chance for Scotland in the 1st half Jane Ross has the ball in the back of the net however the flag is raised for offside.
Half-time Scotland Women 1-2 Sweden Women
Both teams make a change at half time Sweden taking off Sofia Jakobsson and replacing her with the Malin Diaz. For Scotland Emma Mitchell comes on in place of Megan Sneddon.
Sweden kick off the 2nd half. Diaz has an immediate impact the diminutive player full of pace runs with the ball into the middle plays it into Lotta Schelin who holds it up well, looks to turn and have a strike but Ifeoma Dieke does brilliantly to deny her the chance.
Sweden have started the stronger are attacking in number a cross is driven in from the left, Fay diving tries to take it can't get it the ball travels through to Asllani coming in on the opposite post and she powers it back in to extend the Swede's lead 3-1.
Schelin is looking more of a threat in the 2nd half too with Diaz in support she is getting the ball more often has an effort on goal that Fay takes comfortably.
Lisa Evens switching flanks tries her luck down the right is a powerful runner with the ball at her feet has a go from long range the ball arrowing towards goal just a little too high and over the bar. Love wins possession from Sweden on the edge of their box breaks clear of her marker the referee though halting the move as she is adjudged to have fouled.
Emma Mitchell wins a free kick after a hard tackle from Diaz out on the left. Little to play the ball into the box it comes to Jane Ross who attempts to hook it back towards goal, not enough power it is an easy catch for Lindahl.
Little has another opportunity to deliver a free kick from a similar position again the ball finds a team mate this time the head of Jennifer Beattie whose goal bound effort is once again collected by Lindhal.
Sweden enjoy another period of pressure in Scotlands half but can't find a way through. Little has a third go at delivering a free kick into the box this time on the opposite side of the pitch and this time it's Rachel Corsie with the header, lacks the power it needs to beat Lindahl.
Nilla Fischer is lucky to only get a yellow card as she stops Evans from breaking into the box and being clear on goal. Outside the box Little and Hayley Lauder are over the ball, Little with the dummy, Lauder strikes the ball cannoning off the crossbar.
Little has a run with the ball beats a challenge on the left cuts inside into the box and has a go for goal producing a good save from Lindahl to win a corner.
Sweden are always looking a threat on the break and Fay is beaten as Schelin has a shot across goal, again though the attempt strikes the post and comes back for Fay to gather.
Scotland are pressing hard to try and get something back late into the match. Christie Murray comes on for Joanne Love. Ross puts in a good cross from the right which Evans heads narrowly wide.
Emilia Appelqvist comes on for Sweden to replace Sjogran. It is Schelin with the final effort on goal coming onto the end of an over the top ball she shoots produces a good save from Fay to win a late corner it is cleared and the final whistle blows. Sweden win 3-1 to claim the 3points and move level on 18 with Scotland.
A good effort from Scotland but not enough against a Sweden side filled with quality. It was an enjoyable match with great football from both sides. Met Pia Sundhage the Sweden coach after the match a real pleasure to have done so. An enjoyable trip.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
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