Match Preview
Belgium v Scotland
Tuesday, 11 April 2017, kick-off 7.45 pm (UK time)
Stadion Den Dreef, Leuven, Belgium

Scotland will take the next step in their preparations for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 finals tomorrow night when they face Belgium in an International Challenge match in Leuven.

Scotland have faced the Belgian Red Flames four times during head coach Anna Signeul’s tenure, winning on each occasion. They last played each other in 2011 at the Falkirk Stadium, with a solitary goal for the home side from Julie Fleeting proving enough to secure victory on that occasion. 

Scotland will field a new-look side at the Stadion Den Dreef, with regular squad members Jenny Beattie, Rachel Corsie, Hayley Lauder, Kim Little, Jo Love, Rachel McLauchlan, Joelle Murray and Caroline Weir all missing out due to minor injuries, while Emma Mitchell will miss the next three to four months with a hamstring problem.

Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert also misses the game having been called up to the Under-19 side for their European Championships qualifying campaign. The decision was an overwhelming success as she led the team to three consecutive wins with five goals in three games as Scotland became the first team to qualify for the finals.

In the absence of so many regulars Anna Signeul may turn to some fresh faces, with defenders Vaila Barsley, Kelly Clark and Sophie Howard all called up for the first time.

Meanwhile Manchester City striker Jane Ross will be hoping to maintain the rich vein of form that saw her top the goal scoring charts for the qualifiers, where she netted ten goals in eight games.

Although Belgium go into the match off the back of a 4-1 defeat to Spain on Saturday they will nonetheless be high on confidence having also qualified for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 finals. Like Scotland, the tournament will be their first appearance at a major finals.

Ranked only two places below Scotland in the FIFA world rankings at 23rd, Anna Signeul is aware of the threat Belgium pose.

“As part of our preparation we wanted to play against other teams who will also be at the Euros and who have different styles and strengths,” she said.

“Like Scotland, Belgium are developing a lot. They are a very strong and well organised tram and will provide us with a good test.

“Every game and every opportunity now is vital in our preparation for the Euros, especially when we have so many injuries at present with new players coming in.

“We have a number of players in the squad that weren’t with us in in Cyprus recently, so it has been a great opportunity to see how hungry and enthusiastic they are to get into the 23 for the Euros. That competition is good for everyone involved.”

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers

Gemma Fay (Glasgow City) 197 caps

Lee Alexander (Glasgow City) 0 caps

Shannon Lynn (Vittsjö GIK) 23 caps

Defenders

Frankie Brown (Bristol City) 84 caps

Kelly Clark (Celtic) 0 caps

Ifeoma Dieke (Vittsjö GIK) 117 caps

Nicola Docherty (Glasgow City) 11 caps

Kirsty Smith (Hibernian) 21 caps

Sophie Howard (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) 0 caps

Vaila Barsley (Eskilstuna United) 0 caps

Midfielders

Leanne Crichton (Notts County) 48 caps

Claire Emslie (Bristol City) 2 caps

Lisa Evans (FC Bayern München) 57 caps

Lucy Graham (Hibernian) 0 caps

Christie Murray (Doncaster Rovers Belles) 45 caps

Leanne Ross (Glasgow City FC) 129 caps

Forwards

Lizzie Arnot (Hibernian) 12 caps

Fiona Brown (Eskilstuna United) 15 caps

Lana Clelland (UPC Tavagnacco) 12 caps

Jane Ross (Manchester City) 102 caps