As women's soccer teams around the world prepare for the World Cup kicking off later this week, Scotland are focused on looking ahead to a big set of matches in the autumn.
It's not long now until the 2023 Women's World Cup starts in New Zealand and Australia. The opening match features co-hosts New Zealand against Norway on July 20. Amongst the top favorites are the USWNT, who play their first tie a couple of days later on July 22 against Vietnam. And the lionesses from England who play their tie against Haiti a few hours later that same day.
Scotland, though, missed out on qualification having kept their hopes alive until a 0-1 defeat in a play-off match against Ireland last October. While their players may well be watching the biggest-ever women's soccer tournament when it starts, they are focused on their own future and aiming high again.
A 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in midweek played in a downpour in Dundee is an encouraging step as a comfortable win after three goals in just seven minutes in the second half and an always encouraging clean sheet. Those goals came from Erin Cuthbert, Kirsty Hanson with a deflection and then Sam Kerr heading her first international goal.
Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa, as The Scotsman reports, was pleased with the result and the way the team played, but recognized the impact the wet conditions had for the later part of the match
"I'm very pleased for the girls."
"We want to inspire people, that's our job. We created chances before the first goal, but we needed that confidence."
"The second half was difficult for both teams when the pitch became a bit heavy. We have a good group, an excellent mix of young and experienced players. It was a good opportunity for the players today."
Scotland's women's soccer team have huge games coming up
That win is followed on July 18 by a friendly in Finland. Both are in preparation for a huge series of matches for the women's side from September onwards in the first ever UEFA Women's Nations League. In Group A, Scotland will be challenging top sides England, the Netherlands and Belgium in what should be highly competitive matches.
Tickets have just gone on sale now for the three home ties at Hampden. Before those they have their first away match, a daunting tie against England.
It'll be a tough ask for Scotland to progress, but they can be capable of getting a result, the disappointment from not reaching the World Cup should hopefully spur them on.
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