News

Scotland foiled by French

Saturday, 31 March 2012

UEFA Women's Euro 2013 Qualifiers
France 2-0 Scotland
Municipal Jules-Deschaseaux, Le Havre

Dieke OG '64, Renard '70

Scotland put in a battling performance in Le Havre but were undone by two goals in six second-half minutes as France cemented their position at the top of Group 4.

Scotland looked solid as they soaked up French pressure throughout the first half, and captain Gemma Fay had arguably one of her best performances in a Scotland shirt as she pulled off a string of impressive saves.

It looked as though the home side would be made to rue their missed opportunities until they made the breakthrough in the 64th minute, when a ball into the crowded penalty box took an unfortunate deflection off defender Ifeoma Dieke.

Six minutes later Wendie Renard made it two when she headed the ball into the net from a corner.

Scotland signalled their intentions early on when Jane Ross latched onto a Suzanne Grant cross and rounded goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi, but Renard somehow made it on to the line to hook the ball away as it flashed across the goal.

Strike partners Ross and and Grant were linking well up front. Grant's pace down the right wing was causing France captain Ophelie Meilleroux problems, and Ross showed her strength to skip through tackles as Scotland enjoyed a period of pressure.

France were always ready to pounce and began racking up shots on goal.

Gaetane Thiney showed terrific pace, but the Scotland defence looked increasingly comfortable as the half went on.

Fay looked sharp to punch clear a Camille Abily effort, and pulled off another great save to deny Marie-Laure Delie.

Elise Bussaglia and Eugenie Le Sommer also had efforts on goal as France tried to find the breakthrough.

Leanne Ross almost opened the scoring in style when a looping effort caught Bouhaddi off guard, but the ball went just wide.

Fay pulled off a superb double save to deny substitute Sandrine Soubeyrand and then Thiney as Bruno Bini's side began piling on the pressure.

Scotland were defending as a team to keep France at bay, but there was heartbreak just after the hour mark when Ifeoma Dieke got a touch on a ball into the box and sent it into her own net.

France wrapped up the three points six minutes later when Renard made it two.

Scotland are in action again on Thursday when they take on Republic of Ireland at Tynecastle in the second match of the UEFA Euro 2013 qualifying double-header. Kick-off is 7pm, with tickets available on the gate, priced £5/2.

Scotland:

Fay (Cpt) (GK), Jones, Small (Fernon, 82), Dieke, L Ross (Evans,55) , Love, Little, Sneddon, Grant (C Murray, 88), J Ross, Corsie

Unused subs: Lauder, Lynn (GK),  Brown, J Murray

France:

Bouhaddi (GK), Renard, Meilleroux (Cpt), Franco, Bompastor, Le Sommer (Catala, 86), Abily, Necib (Thomis, 65), Bussaglia (Soubeyrand, 46), Thiney, Delie

Unused subs: Deville (GK), Viguier, Georges,  Makanza.

Att: 9028