COULD this be the week when Scotland finally qualify for a major tournament? Given all the recent play-off drama, it would be ironic if Anna Signeul and her players did so while still at their Oriam training base.
To recap, Scotland are highly unlikely to make it to Euro 2017 as Group 1 winners. Iceland, who swept the Scots aside at Falkirk Stadium, play Slovenia at home on Friday; a win would leave Scotland needing to beat them by four goals or more in Reykjavik on September 20. On the evidence of the Falkirk game, that isn’t going to happen.
So, the best route to the Netherlands is as one of the six best group runners-up. Finer arithmetical minds than mine have been burning the midnight oil at Hampden to check out the various permutations (games against the bottom nations in each group have to be eliminated).
The good news is it appears Scotland have four chances to qualify in the week ahead.
First up, on Thursday, is Serbia against Belgium in Group 7. To stand any chance of being a better runner-up than Scotland, the Belgians need to take four points from their last two games – the final one being at home to England on the night Scotland play Iceland.
If Belgium win or draw in Serbia, there are three more chances on Friday. In the afternoon, Finland are away to Portugal in Group 2. The Finns must take all three points or Scotland qualify.
Similarly, Russia must beat Olympic champions Germany in Group 5 or Scotland are through. Silvia Neid and three of her players – Saskia Bartusiak, Annike Krahn and Melanie Behringer – retired after the gold-medal match, but Steffi Jones will be anxious to avoid defeat in her first game as manager.
However, if Russia do win, Italy are away to Northern Ireland in Group 6 in the evening. Again, the Italians must take all three points.
It will be remarkable if Serbia, Finland, Russia and Italy all get the results they need. And even if they do, each has another must-win match the following week.
Ultimately, even their best efforts won’t matter if Scotland get three points in Reykjavik. In all likelihood, a draw there should suffice.
ALTHOUGH it makes sense in some ways, has Signeul taken a chance by allowing Erin Cuthbert, pictured, to play for the under-19s in their Euro qualifying group instead of being in the Iceland squad? Rachel Corsie is out and Leanne Chrichton has also been injured.
If Scotland have already qualified, it won’t matter. In the meantime, it’s great to see another teenager with huge potential, Abi Harrison, travelling to Reykjavik.
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