International Friendly

Panama u23 0 – 2 Scotland u23

Saturday, 12 November 2022

Estadio Municipal de Chapín, Jerez, Spain

Scorers

Panama

Scotland – Harrison 31’, J. Clark 58’

Team news

It was a first call-up and a first start for forward, Brogan Hay. Eartha Cummings started in goals for the new look under-23 side, with Sophie Howard, Jenna Clark, Amy Muir and Kirsty Smith in defence. Chloe Arthur, Sam Kerr and Erin Cuthbert played through the middle with an attacking trident of Lauren Davidson, Brogan Hay and Abi Harrison.

As it happened

Scotland were quick out of the blocks under the lights in Jerez. Captain Cuthbert split the Panama defence in the opening 2 minutes but her pass couldn’t find Harrison in the box. 2 minutes later, Harrison was fouled on the edge of the box. Cuthberts resulting free-kick was low and hard but couldn’t find Harrison.

Scotland piled on the pressure inside the opening period, Kerr with another chance on 10 minutes but the midfielder’s powerful shot was saved by Bailey.

Cuthbert with another attempt on goal on 15 minutes, this time from distance but the shot was deflected from inside the box.

Panama’s first real chance of the game came in the 24th minute when Baltrip Reyes whipped the ball back on the left, Hernandez sent her shot high and wide from outside the box causing no issues for Cumings.

Scotland broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, Smith with the low drive into the centre of the box where Harrison knocked the ball home from close range.

Panama struggled to break Scotland down for much of the first half – Cumings got her hands on the ball for the second time in the game on the 43rd minute - a shot from Salazar which was straight at the Scotland goalkeeper.

Hay, who has been impressive in her first 45 minutes in a Scotland shirt, was causing more problems for Panama down that right side with a shot right before half-time which was held by Bailey.

Harrison was substituted at half-time after picking up a knock, she was replaced by Hanson.

Scotland emerged for the second-half looking to double their lead with a sense of urgency. Davidson asking questions of the Panama defence on the left side, her cross was deflected out for a corner in the 51st minute. Cuthbert swung the ball into the box but no-one was able to capitalise.

Jenna Clark made it 2-0 to Scotland on the 58th minute after picking up Cuthbert’s corner at the back-post, driving the ball into the top corner from 6 yards.

Cedeno tested Cumings from distance on the 66th minute, but the shot was tipped over the bar to protect Scotland’s 2-0 lead. Arthur made way for McAllister a few minutes later for Scotland’s third substitution of the match.

Scotland retained control in the closing stages of the game, Cuthbert with a chance to get a third goal on 77 minutes but her shot was tipped over the bar by Bailey.

Cuthbert again with a shot on goal from 30-yards in the 86th minute, tipped around the post by Bailey.

A solid performance by Scotland’s under-23s to close out the game 2-0.

Teams

Scotland: Cummings, Howard, J. Clark, Muir (Eddie 60’), Smith, Arthur (McAllister 68’), Kerr, Cuthbert ©, Harrison (Hanson 46’), Davidson, Hay

Unused subs: Clachers, McLauchlan, K. Clark, Corsie, Docherty, McAllister, Weir, Murray, Thomas, Emslie

Panama: Bailey, Jaen, Yatis, Pinzon, Salazar, Gonzalez, Cox ©, Espinosa, Hernandez, Cedeno, Baltrip Reyes

Unused Subs: Fabrega, Castillo, Cedeno, Riley, Hernandez, Gutierrez, Garcia, Villagrand, Quintero, De Obaldia, Jurado, Camarena