Page 3 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1 2021-22

Star Kim ends Scotland career

Scotland Women’s National Team midfielder Kim Little has
taken the decision to end her international career before the
2023 Women’s World Cup qualification campaign begins this
month.
Aged 31, Kim made her debut in 2007 against Japan
aged only 16 and went on to amass 140 appearances for the
national team, becoming one of the all-time greats to play for
Scotland.
Kim won her 50th cap, and scored the opening goal, in
a 2-0 Cyprus Women's Cup win over England in March 2011.
She then helped Scotland qualify for their first ever major
tournament, EURO 2017, ultimately missing out due to injury.
In 2018, Little scored against Switzerland in a 2-1
victory in front of a record crowd in Paisley which proved
crucial in qualification for the 2019 World Cup. During the
tournament the midfielder started in all three group games,
scoring the opener against Argentina in a 3-3 draw at Parc Des
Princes.
Throughout Kim’s successful period with the national
team, she has amassed numerous accolades for her impressive
performances on the pitch, most notably when she was named BBC Women’s Footballer of
the Year in 2016.
Kim Little told scottishfa.co.uk: “Stepping away from playing international football
is something I have been considering for a while and I feel now is the right time to make that
change.
“I am proud of the 15 years I have spent representing the national team. I have
developed and grown as a person through my experiences representing my country and
know they will help me in countless ways in the future.
“Thank you to my teammates for being incredibly empowering and inspiring women.
My most vivid and fondest memories are from being by your side on and off the pitch
through good times and some challenging times, pushing for progress for the women’s game.
“I now look forward to supporting you all from afar and can’t wait to watch you
perform and continue to improve the women’s game in Scotland, paving the way for more
young girls to have a career as a footballer.
“I want to wish Pedro and the team all the very best for the up-and-coming qualifiers
in September and for the rest of the campaign and beyond.”
Scotland Women’s National Team head coach, Pedro Martinez Losa said: “Kim has
contributed hugely to the women’s game in Scotland and will go down in history as one of
the best players to pull on the national team jersey.
“While it is obviously disappointing that Kim will no longer be available for
international selection, I understand and respect her decision. It is now time for the next
generation of players to follow in Kim’s footsteps and make their own mark with the national
team.
“On behalf of everyone involved in women’s football in Scotland I would like to thank
Kim for everything she has done both on the pitch as a player but also as a role model to
young girls who have admired her and aim to follow in her footsteps.
“We wish Kim all the best as she continues her club career with Arsenal and look
forward to welcoming her to Hampden Park as a supporter in the future.”
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
Issue no. 1 - 2 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk