Jane Ross and Fiona Brown ensure second consecutive victory

Women’s International Challenge Matches
Scotland 2-0 New Zealand
Pinatar Football Arena, San Pedro del Pinatar
Tuesday, 6 March 2018, 10am (UK time)

Scotland: Jane Ross (40), Fiona Brown (48)

Scotland made it two wins out of two against New Zealand in their final preparation for the World Cup Qualifying double header against Switzerland and Poland next month.

In the Tuesday morning Pinatar sunshine, Scotland won 2-0 for the second consecutive match.

Goals from Jane Ross and Fiona Brown either side of half-time were enough to seal the win against the 19th ranked side in the world in what was another comprehensive victory.

Scotland made three changes from the side that defeated New Zealand 2-0 on Saturday with Smith, Corsie and Fiona Brown replacing Arthur, Beattie and Emslie.

New Zealand made two changes to their line-up and the opening exchanges were very similar to the first game between the two sides with a scrappy start.



Kirsty Smith had an early shot for Scotland but a block inside the box denied the keeper being tested.

After nine minutes, New Zealand crossed a dangerous ball into the box but Sophie Howard stretched to clear the ball on her fourth consecutive start for Scotland.

Lee Alexander was forced into action after 26 minutes when Ali Riley ran free in the box but the Glasgow City number one looked confident and made the stop.

Scotland began to burst into life going forward and had the ball in the back of the net but Rachel Corsie was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the box and goal was disallowed.

Five minutes before the break, Scotland pushed their noses in front. Caroline Weir played the ball out wide to Fiona Brown and the FC Rosengård midfielder found Jane Ross with a low drive cross. The Manchester City striker was then able to tuck the ball into the net, scoring her fifth goal in her last seven Scotland games.

The second half began in stunning fashion when Fiona Brown doubled Scotland’s lead.

The 22-year-old darted down the left wing and drove into the box, doing well to hold off defenders, before finishing low into the corner of the net.

Erin Cuthbert then had a chance to make it three but the New Zealand goalkeeper was able to make the save.

A number of substitutions then followed with Zoe Ness making her second appearance for her country and Abbi Grant made her Scotland debut, replacing Fiona Brown.

The Glasgow City striker nearly had the dream start to her international career when she was released inside the box. She shot from out wide and the ball was close to finding the corner of the net.

What’s next?

Following four international challenge matches to start the year Scotland’s World Cup qualification campaign continues in April where they will face Switzerland away from home and Poland at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in a double header.

They will play Switzerland at Lipo Park on Thursday, 5 April before taking on Poland on Tuesday, 10 April.

Scotland: Alexander (Lynn, 45), Smith, Howard, Corsie (C), Lauder, Murray (Love, 45), Weir, Ross, Evans (Emslie, 66), Fiona Brown (Grant, 82), Cuthbert (Ness, 59)

Unused substitutes: Lynn, Fife, Frankie Brown, Beattie, Crichton, Arthur, McLauchlan, Graham