PREDICTIONS of cooler weather in Tel Aviv have boosted Scotland's women footballers ahead of their opening Euro 2013 qualifying game against Israel, writes Alan Campbell.
The Scots have been training in temperatures of over 30 degrees, but coach Anna Signeul said: “It is forecast to be cooler for the match so, hopefully, the conditions won’t be too much of a problem for us.”
Signeul has put her faith in the strike force of Jenny Beattie and Jane Ross for today’s noon kick-off in the Ness Ziona stadium. The Arsenal and Glasgow City players scored a brace apiece as Scotland thrashed Finland 7-2 in their final warm-up match at Tynecastle last month.
The goalkeeper and captain, Gemma Fay, will win her 133rd cap as Scotland attempt to get off to a winning start in Group 4. The other teams are France, the Republic of Ireland and Wales.
“We’ve missed out narrowly on the most recent European Championships and the World Cup,” said Fay, pictured. “I don’t ever want to be in that position again. We’ve got a fantastic opportunity to qualify this time with the players we’ve got.”
Top seeds France have already played two matches, both away from home, and lead the group with six points. They beat Israel 5-0 last month, but had just an own goal to show for their efforts until they scored the second after the hour.
Signeul, who watched that match with her assistant Angie Hind, said: “I anticipate we will have a lot of the ball, and that they will sit back and defend.
“We have studied how they will play and have been working on how we can get our team moving quickly to break them down. I am confident that, as long as my players stick to the game plan, we can do well.”
Four players from Glasgow City provide the core of the side, with two apiece from Arsenal and Celtic. Only 12 sides, including hosts Sweden, will compete for the European Championship in 2013.
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