Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2022-23

Scotland 1 (Harrison 92)
Austria 0
Att: 10,182; at Hampden Park
An extra time header from Abi Harrison gave Scotland a 1-0 victory over Austria and sent them
into a showdown for a World Cup place with Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night.
Pedro Martinez Losa made three changes from his side's last match against the Faroe
Islands, with Samantha Kerr, Sophie Howard and Lisa Evans all coming into the starting line
up.
There was a poignant start to proceedings as the Scotland’s first-ever women’s national
team joined Rachel Corsie and Co in an emotional walk out at Hampden before the match to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the inaugural international match in 1972.
The Ravenscraig Pioneers had been invited as guests of honour for the match against
Austria as part of the Scottish FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations of the national game.
It was a slow start to the match once it got underway, with neither team threatening until
the 14th minute when Martha Thomas was inches away from getting on the end of a pinpoint
through ball from Rachel Corsie.
Spurred on by a competitive record home crowd of 10,182, Scotland came close again
moments later, as Caroline Weir produced a stunning touch to bring down a ball in the centre
of the box but her shot was too close to Austria goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.
The hosts continued to dominant the opening period, enjoying much of the ball but Weir
again found Zinsberger in the way with a shot from an angle.
Austria had failed to create anything but they were inches away from snatching an
unlikely lead just before the break as Julia Hickelsberger's shot skimmed the crossbar.
The visitors began the second half on the front foot, with Laura Feiersinger shooting
straight at Lee Gibson and Hickelsberger firing over.
Scotland came back into it though and substitute Fiona Brown had a chance in the 72nd
minute as she was found by Claire Emslie in the box but her header drifted over. Weir once again
showed her class with a slick turn on the halfway line but her shot from distance flew wide.
The 90 minutes ended with a series of Scotland corners but there was to be no
breakthrough as the match went into extra time.
It was to be another set piece moments later, however, that forced the breakthrough as
Scotland got the goal their dominance deserved. Erin Cuthbert curled over a delightful corner
from the left and substitute Abi Harrison rose highest to power home a header at the back post,
before celebrating gleefully in front of a jubilant packed stand of Scotland supporters.
Austria looked to respond and Barbara Dunst tried her luck as she cut in from the right
but her left footed shot whistled narrowly over. However, Scotland held firm, seeing out the
match in relative comfort to set up a huge clash with Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night.
Scotland: Lee Gibson, Lisa Evans, Sophie Howard, Rachel Corsie, Nicola Docherty (sub
Emma Mukandi 113mins), Samantha Kerr (sub Lucy Graham 64mins), Erin Cuthbert,
Caroline Weir, Lana Clelland (sub Fiona Brown 45mins (sub Christy Grimshaw 120mins)),
Martha Thomas (sub Abi Harrison 75mins), Claire Emslie. Subs not used: Jennifer Beattie,
Kelly Clark, Jenna Fife, Rachel McLauchlan, Kirsty Hanson, Christie Murray, Eartha Cumings.
Austria: Manuela Zinsberger, Laura Wienroither (sub Lisa Kolb 112mins), Carina
Wenninger, Marina Georgieva, Verena Hanshaw, Sarah Puntigam, Julia Hickelsberger (sub
Katharina Naschenweng 64mins), Sarah Zadrazil, Laura Feiersinger (sub Maria Plattner
100mins), Barbara Dunst (sub Katharina Schiechtl 112mins), Nicole Billa (sub Katja
Wienerroither 83mins). Subs not used: Annabel Schasching, Celina Degen, Virginia
Kirchberger, Jasmin Eder, Isabella Kresche, Stefanie Enzinger, Mariella El Sherif.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
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