logo
'Excited' Andreatta says Scots can avoid relegation

'Excited' Andreatta says Scots can avoid relegation

Yahooa day ago

Women's Nations League: Scotland v Austria
Date: 30 May Time: 19:35 BST Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Coverage: Live on BBC Alba and also watch and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website.
New head coach Melissa Andreatta is more excited by the possibilities for the Scotland's Women's team after working with the players for the first time - and believes they can preserve their top-tier Nations League status.
Scotland round off a so-far miserable Nations League Group A1 campaign at home to Austria on Friday before travelling to the Netherlands four days later - with both matches live on the BBC.
As they did during their first stint in League A in 2023, Scotland have struggled among the elite of the Nations League and have yet to take a point from their four matches.
To have a chance of preserving their League A status via a play-off, they will need to beat Austria by two goals at Hampden.
They lost 1-0 on matchday one at the Josko Arena but those are Austria's only points of their own modest campaign.
When the former Australia assistant head coach was asked if she believes her new side can avoid Nations League relegation, she replied "we believe we can do that".
The 46-year-old added: "'Excited' is a good word for me to use. I definitely am, but I want to be measured as well and know that it's going to take time and there's progress to be made in order to match our ambition with the belief.
"The first few weeks have been more than I had hoped for. I said to the players that I'm falling in love with this country and the football speaks for itself.
"I only see opportunity and yes, there's going to be tough times and yes, there's a lot of progress to be made, but we believe in what we have, we believe we have what it takes and we're going to fight."
Andreatta has taken over following the exit of Pedro Martinez Losa - who is now in charge of Mexican club Tigres - after Scotland's failure to reach the Euro 2025 finals.
She will only have two games to work with Rachel Corsie, as the 35-year-old will retire at the end of this international window.
The Australian paid tribute to the former captain's demeanour around what will be her final international camp.
"Rachel Corsie - what a legend," added Andreatta.
"It's been super humbling to to work with her in these past few days and the professionalism of Rachel is what's really stood out and her willingness to share her experiences with both players and staff.
"I think she's had a really positive impact on the group on her return to camp and all she's focused on is her role and what the team needs to do to play the way we want to."
In Andreatta's first squad there is a first call up for Hibernian striker Kathleen McGovern, who has 25 goals for the Scottish Women's Premier League leaders, while Rangers captain Nicola Docherty and two club-mates - winger Brogan Hay and forward Kirsty Howat - have also been recalled.
Scotland have failed to reach a major tournament since 2019.
Analysis - BBC Scotland commentator Thomas Duncan
Andreatta will hope to take some inspiration from her Austrian counterpart Alexander Schreibl, who took charge of his first game against Scotland in February and emerged with a narrow 1-0 win.
These sides have been separated by a single goal the last two times they have met with one win apiece, an illustration of how closely fought Friday's game will be.
Austria have found the going tough since that opening victory, though, losing 4-1 to Germany and 3-1 home and away to the Netherlands.
They took the lead in two of those three games though, and Schreibl has called in extra attacking reinforcements to try to make the difference against Scotland, who have struggled for goals for a long time now against sides who have similar or greater squad quality.
Striker Nicole Billa, who has 47 goals in 106 caps, has been recalled and could start in a front two, which has been deployed behind a diamond midfield throughout the Nations League.
Another forward, Eileen Campbell is also back from a hip injury.
With Scotland needing a two-goal victory to give themselves a chance of staying in League A, Austria know if they use their firepower correctly it will make life very difficult for Andreatta's side.
Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Rosengard), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).
Defenders: Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Rachel Corsie (Aston Villa), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester City), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers), Amy Muir (Glasgow City), Kirsty Smith (unattached).
Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Rangers), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Lauren Davidson (Brann), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Brogan Hay (Rangers), Kirsty MacLean (Rangers), Amy Rodgers (Bristol City), Emma Watson (Manchester United), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid).
Forwards: Kirsty Howat (Rangers), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Kathleen McGovern (Hibernian), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur).
Scottish Football Association

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How to watch Jamaica vs Nigeria: TV channel and live stream for Unity Cup final today
How to watch Jamaica vs Nigeria: TV channel and live stream for Unity Cup final today

Yahoo

time31 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

How to watch Jamaica vs Nigeria: TV channel and live stream for Unity Cup final today

Jamaica and Nigeria clash in the Unity Cup final at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium this afternoon. The two nations are the original founders of this international football tournament, so it's quite fitting they meet in the final as the Super Eagles look to defend the crown they last won over two decades ago. Advertisement Eric Challe's side overcame rivals Ghana on Wednesday night in a game of two halves. Cyriel Dessers and an own goal from Razak Simpson had Nigeria in dreamland going into the break, but the performance level dropped significantly in the second half. After conceding to Brandon Thomas-Asante's close range strike, if not for a brilliant injury time save from Stanley Nwabali then the tie would have been settled via a penalty shootout. Jamaica - now managed by Steve McClaren - did let a 2-0 lead slip against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday but came out on top in a five-goal thriller thanks to an injury time penalty from Richard King. It's all set up for a classic final in west London and here is everything you need to know about how to watch the showdown... How to watch Jamaica vs Nigeria TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be broadcast on TV. Advertisement Live stream: However, Premier Sports subscribers will be able to watch a live stream via the Premier Sports website or the Premier Sports Player app. Coverage starts at 4.55pm BST ahead of a 5pm kick-off. Live blog: You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.

How to watch Ghana vs Trinidad and Tobago: TV channel and live stream for Unity Cup third place play-off today
How to watch Ghana vs Trinidad and Tobago: TV channel and live stream for Unity Cup third place play-off today

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

How to watch Ghana vs Trinidad and Tobago: TV channel and live stream for Unity Cup third place play-off today

Ghana face Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup third place play-off this afternoon (Getty Images) The Unity Cup international football tournament concludes this afternoon and first up is the third-place play-off between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago. A vastly inexperienced Black Stars squad were beaten 2-1 by rivals Nigeria on Wednesday night, though that was certainly a game of two halves. Second best in the opening 45 minutes at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, Otto Addo's side trailed by two at the break. Advertisement However, they rallied in the second half, halved the deficit with Brandon Thomas-Asante's first international goal and were inches away from sending the game into penalties when Abu Francis had an effort superbly saved by Stanley Nwabali in injury time. 24 hours earlier, Trinidad did fight back from two-goal deficit in a thriller against Jamaica. But Dwight Yorke's side conceded an injury time penalty from which Richard King successfully dispatched in a dramatic finale. If the games both nations were involved in earlier in the week is any indication, entertainment is guaranteed in west London this afternoon. Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the match... How to watch Ghana vs Trinidad and Tobago TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be broadcast on TV. Advertisement Live stream: However, Premier Sports subscribers will be able to watch a live stream via the Premier Sports website or the Premier Sports Player app. Coverage starts at 12.25pm BST ahead of a 12.30pm kick-off. Live blog: You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.

Saturday's briefing: Beever-Jones nets England treble as Liverpool bid for Wirtz
Saturday's briefing: Beever-Jones nets England treble as Liverpool bid for Wirtz

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Saturday's briefing: Beever-Jones nets England treble as Liverpool bid for Wirtz

Aggie Beever-Jones plundered a hat-trick as England Women set up a winner-takes-all Nations League clash with World Cup winners Spain with a 6-0 demolition of Portugal. Liverpool have made an improved offer for Bayer Leverkusen striker Florian Wirtz as they attempt to beat Bayern Munich and Manchester City to his signature. Advertisement For Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, the focus is retaining the services of skipper Bruno Fernandes. Three-sy does it Aggie Beever-Jones (right) scored a first-half treble against Portugal (Adam Davy/PA) Beever-Jones marked her first Wembley start for England with a hat-trick in a 6-0 Nations League rout of Portugal. The 21-year-old Chelsea striker became just the third woman – and second Lioness after Beth Mead – to score three times at headquarters, where Lucy Bronze, Mead and substitute Chloe Kelly were also on target. Beever-Jones said: 'I'm delighted. I don't even know any of the records and whatever, but I think someone just said it was Beth, so to be alongside her is something really, really incredible. Advertisement 'It's my first time playing at Wembley for England and I don't think it could actually get much better than that. 'It was incredible. Wembley's always been a special place. Obviously, we won the FA Cup here not so long ago with Chelsea, I saw the girls win the Euros here – for me it's such a historic place.' Going with the Flo Liverpool have tabled an improved offer for Bayer Leverkusen's Germany international Florian Wirtz (Bradley Collyer/PA) Liverpool have made an improved offer totalling £109million for Bayer Leverkusen forward Wirtz, the PA news agency understands. The Reds' second bid for the Germany International – which includes add-ons – would make him the most expensive signing in the club's history if it was accepted by Leverkusen. Advertisement Wirtz was a star performer in the Bundesliga club's domestic league and cup triumph in the 2023-24 season and also shone for Germany at last summer's Euros. Should he stay or should he go? Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is hopeful that skipper Bruno Fernandes (pictured) wants to stay at Old Trafford (Martin Rickett/PA) Amorim thinks skipper Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United amid interest from free-spending Saudi side Al-Hilal. Fernandes, 30, admitted after the Europa League final defeat by Tottenham loss that United could end up cashing in on him with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal reportedly willing to triple his salary and pay the Premier League club up to £100million. Asked after his side's 3-1 friendly win over Hong Kong if whether that might have been Fernandes' last appearance for the club, head coach Amorim said: 'I don't think so. Advertisement 'I don't know for sure, nobody knows, but I don't think so. I think he wants to stay. He needs to be in the best league in the world.' What's on today? All eyes will be on Munich's Allianz Arena on Saturday evening as Paris St Germain attempt to finally get their hands on the Champions League trophy. However, standing in the way of the French double winners are three-times European champions Inter Milan, who are desperate to soothe their pain at surrendering the Serie title to Napoli. Inter were beaten in the 2023 final by Manchester City in Istanbul, three years after PSG went down to Bayern Munich in Lisbon, but one of them will emerge victorious this time around.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store