SCOTLAND were handed a footballing lesson and a record defeat under Anna Signeul as they were dismantled by a slick and powerful Netherlands side at the Tony Macaroni Arena. The home side were outclassed from start to finish by Euro 2017 hosts.
It was a sobering experience for Signeul, especially coming straight off the qualifying group win over Iceland in Reykjavik last month.
“Holland played really well and also preyed on our weaknesses,” the Swede said.“They were stronger, faster and they ran more than us.
“We corrected it in the second half and I thought we were much better – but we still lose 4-0 in this period. We missed Kim Little, Rachel Corsie and Jenny Beattie because hey are the players who do well in these type of games against higher ranked sides.”
Scotland survived a scare in the eighth minute as Holland began to assert themselves on a perfect night for football.
Lineth Beerensteyn fed Vivianne Miedema, in the box and Shannon Lynn, making a rare start with Gemma Fay on the bench, did well to palm away the Bayern Munich striker's shot for a corner.
Scotland were finding it difficult to get any momentum and Lynn was again called into action to save low from Arsenal midfielder Danielle van de Donk.
The goalkeeper was then fortunate when she punched a cross only as far as Beerensteyn, but the Dutch attacker was wide with her lobbed effort.
Holland got the goal their play deserved after 33 minutes and it followed a lengthy delay while Lynn was treated after diving at the feet of Miedema.
Shortly after play resumed the Dutch striker's shot from 20 yards took a deflection of Joelle Murray and beat the Scotland keeper.
Scotland were hit with a devastating one-two in the lengthy injury time.
An attempted cross-field pass by Kirsty Smith was intercepted by Beerensteyn just inside the Holland half and she showed impressive speed to outpace the Scotland defence and smash the ball past Lynn.
Then it got worse as Manieke Dekker's shot hit the bar and Miedema scored from the rebound.
Renee Slegers put Holland four up in 65 minutes after being fed by Shanice van de Sanden.
A dreadful night for Scotland continued when Lynn failed to hold a Van de Sanden shot and Ellen Jansen prodded the ball over the line.
Shortly after the keeper was replaced by Fay, who almost immediately made another error and this time Van de Sanden scored.
Jackie Groenen made it seven five minutes from time.
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