Page 5 - Women's Soccer Scene 2020-21 Issue 3

Cuthbert. Subs not used: Shannon Lynn, Jenna Fife, Nicola Docherty, Rachel
McLauchlan, Zoe Ness, Sophie Howard, Christie Murray, Abbi Grant, Lizzie Arnot.
Albania: Viona Rexhepi, Albina Rrahmani, Arbiona Bajraktari, Sara Maliqi (sub Aidena
Mustafa 90mins), Zylfije Bajramaj (sub Esi Lufo 86mins), Geldona Morina (sub Endrina
Elezaj 72mins), Qendresa Krasniqi, Megi Doci, Alma Hila, Lucie Gjini, Ezmiralda Franja.
Subs not used: Ardiola Raxhimi, Arbenita Curraj, Lavdie Begolli, Klaudia Rrotani.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)

Finland 1 (Summanen 49) Scotland 0
Scotland picked up their first defeat of their EURO 2022 Qualification campaign, against
Finland in Helsinki.
Despite dominating the first half and having chances throughout, a goal at the
start of the second from former Scotland head coach Anna Signeul’s side was enough to
secure victory for the hosts.
Scotland made five changes from the comfortable 3-0 win over Albania on Friday
night with Martha Thomas introduced into the starting line-up once more. Sophie Howard
also started alongside Rachel Corsie at the heart of defence.
Scotland started the match promisingly, with the majority of possession. Erin
Cuthbert tested the towering Finland goalkeeper in the opening 20 minutes but her shot
was directed straight at the stopper.
Kirsty Smith also had claims for a penalty when she was chopped down inside the
box but the referee waved away the claims.
After 23 minutes Scotland were presented with a golden opportunity when
Caroline Weir coolly slipped in Martha Thomas who found herself clean through inside the
box but failed to hit the target.
Finland began to grow into the game as the half drew to a close but failed to test
Lee Alexander. At the other end, with the last kick of the half Erin Cuthbert went close from
distance.
At the start of the second period, Anna Signeul’s side took a shock lead when a
corner was cleared off the line from Lizzie Arnot, and Evellina Summanen was able to
smash the rebound into the net.
Scotland looked to retaliate and Emma Mitchell went close with a smart turn and
shot inside the box but Tinja-Riikka Korpela was able to make the stop low to her left.
Leanne Crichton came off the bench for her 71st cap and she went close with a half
volley which tested the Finnish goalkeeper. Moments earlier Finland had gone close,
rattling the goal frame with a cross.
Scotland then went agonisingly close themselves to sealing a late equaliser when
Jane Ross hit the crossbar with a looping header two minutes from the end.
Finland: Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Tulja Hyyrynen, Ria Öling (sub Essi Sainio 84mins),
Emma Koivisto, Emmi Alanen, Natalia Kuikka, Anna Westerlund, Sanni Franssi, Linda
Sällström, Kaisa Collin (sub Elli Pikkujämsä 90mins), Evellina Summanen. Subs not
used: Milla-Maj Majasaari, Anna Tamminen, Anna Auvinen, Olga Ahtinen, Juliette
Kemppi, Nora Heroum, Jenny Danielsson, Julia Tunturi, Iina Salmi, Jutta Rantala.
Scotland: Lee Alexander, Kirsty Smith, Emma Mitchell, Rachel Corsie, Caroline Weir,
Sophie Howard, Christie Murray (sub Jane Ross 76mins), Claire Emslie, Martha Thomas
(sub Leanne Crichton 62mins), Erin Cuthbert, Lizzie Arnot (sub Kirsty Hanson 62mins).
Subs not used: Shannon Lynn, Jenna Fife, Hannah Godfrey, Rachael Boyle, Nicola
Docherty, Rachel McLauchlan, Zoe Ness, Abbi Grant, Lucy Graham.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
Issue no. 3 - 29 October 2020 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk