SCOTLAND'S WOMEN THROUGH
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In what will be some good news for the SFA and their new sponsors, Safeway, there is something to celebrate by players in Scotland strips. The men may be toiling to get a decent result but the women just keep on winning. They were hoping to travel to Wales and win to lead qualifying group 5 and so earn a chance to win promotion into the top 16 sides in Europe. And guess what - that did exactly that! The bare details are that they travelled down to Penydarren Park, Merthyr Tydfil for the final group game on Sunday and the score line ended up - Wales 0 Scotland 2.
Recent reports on their games against Austria and Belgium have shown that Scotland can handle themselves when the chips are down. This was a useful indicator for fans who travelled down to cheer them on as the game was very physical and Scotland were lucky to go in a half time at 0-0. Lucky - as Wales managed to miss a penalty in the 30th minute. The half time pep talk by Vera Pauw worked wonders as in the second half Scotland put on a much better performance which led to the 2-0 victory. The goals came from Donna James (in 58 minutes) – a magnificent 40 yard Pele like lob that caught everyone by surprise, and, who else but, Julie Fleeting scored the second from a corner.  | Can't stop 'me' Julie scoring |
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The team travelled back in Glasgow at 9.45pm this evening and will be resting their weary legs as you read this. No - there is no need to volunteer to give them a rub down! The play-off I mentioned above will be played between 22nd August and 30th September 2002 over the traditional home and away legs. The opposition has yet to be decided but will be either be the Czech Republic or Ukraine. Just who will Scotland will face from Group 1 will be decided when the two teams play each other on 26th May.
Remember these names as Scotland winners, they deserve all the praise going:
Scotland Team: Gemma Fay, Shelley Kerr, Stacey Cook, Nicky Grant, Michelle Barr, Julie Smith, Joanne Love, Karen Penglase, Donna James, Julie Fleeting, Debbie McWhinnie
Subs: Claire Johnstone, Mhairi Gilmour, Suzi Robertson, Lesley Fowler, Pauline Hamill, Suzanne Grant, Alana Bruce
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