Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2021-22

Scotland to play Sweden

On Tuesday, 26th October, Scotland will take on Olympic finalists Sweden at the SMiSA Stadium
in Paisley, kick-off 7.05pm. The match will follow Scotland’s third FIFA Women's World Cup
Qualifier, against Hungary at Hampden Park, on Friday, 22nd October.
Due to 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) activity in Glasgow,
Hampden Park is unavailable to host the match. Scotland will instead return to a stadium which
holds fond memories for SWNT, after defeating Switzerland 2-1 in Paisley on the road to
qualifying for the 2019 FIFA World Cup.
Pedro Martinez Losa said: “I am looking forward to this fixture to give opportunity to a
lot of players and provide people with vital international experience against top level opposition.
“My first three matches as head coach are qualifiers but this one will be equally important
in terms of a development opportunity for the players.
“Sweden will be a really competitive, complicated side to play against. They showed that
recently with their performances at the Olympics, managed by a top head coach who has brought
a lot of competitiveness to the team.
"They are a group of really talented players who are playing at some of the top clubs
around the world. It’s a tough challenge but one we’re looking forward to. It’ll act as perfect
preparation for the game against Spain in November.”
Ticket information for this match will follow in due course.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
Northern Ireland U17 set for qualifiers
Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17 team are off to Serbia this week to compete in the first
stage of qualifiers for the 2022 UEFA WU17 European Championships. They will be facing Spain
and Iceland as well as the host nation at Serbia’s National Sports Centre in Belgrade.
A new format has been introduced for WU17 Euro qualifiers which replaces the old
qualifying and elite rounds. The competition still features one-venue mini tournaments but now
includes two leagues (A and B) with promotion and relegation leading to the 2022 finals.
Alfie Wylie’s WU17s have been drawn in Group A7 in the first step towards next year’s
WU17 Euros in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They will be up against top seeds Spain in their first
game - on Friday (24 September) at 6pm UK time – followed by an encounter with the Serbs on
Monday (noon). Their final group match is against Iceland next Thursday (1pm).
Wylie pointed out: “I’m really excited about this tournament and this group of players.
We have been placed in a group with some of Europe’s top teams, which shows the level we’re
currently at.
“All our players are products of our Performance Pathway and come from every corner of
the country and representing all of our communities, which makes me really proud.”
Under the new format, last placed teams in each League A group mini tournament will be
relegated in Round 1, while the winners of each mini tournament in League B and best runner-up
will be promoted. In Round 2 - to be played next spring - the seven group winners in League A
will qualify for the final tournament.
After Round 2 the winners of mini tournaments in League B will be promoted and the last
placed teams in League A will be relegated for Round 1 of the next edition of the tournament.
Northern Ireland Women’s Under-17 squad:
Erin McAllister (Linfield), Ellie Scott (Lisburn Rangers), Sarah Tweedie (Linfield), Abi
Sweetlove (Linfield), Sofie Keenan (Linfield), Niamh Coyle (Sion Swifts), Clarah Quigg (Sion
Swifts), Cerys Madden (Cliftonville), Rebecca Magee (Glentoran), Rhyleigh Marks (Linfield),
Lucy Johnston (Linfield), Sophie Gargan (Linfield), Naomi McLaughlin (Sion Swifts), Aoibhe
O’Neill (Sion Swifts), Aimee Kerr (Carnmoney Ladies), Keri Halliday (Linfield), Chelsea Scott
(Killen Rangers), Emily Reid (Ballymoney Utd), Tara Reilly (Cliftonville), Rachael McIntyre
(Limavady Boys).
(www.irishfa.co.uk)
Issue no. 4 - 23 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk