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Sunday, November 30, 2025

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Close defeat for Scotland Under-23 in Belgium

Scotland went down to a 2-0 defeat in their Under-23 international friendly with Belgium in Tubize.

An 18-player squad travelled to Belgium for the match in Tubize. While Paige McAllister and Eilidh Adams were named in the

initial squad, both were forced to pull out due to injury, with Georgia Hunter coming in. Maria McAneny was also due to travel

with the team, but was drafted into Melissa Andreatta’s senior Scotland squad.

For the match in Belgium, Erin Clachers retained her place in goal, behind a defence that saw Charlotte Wardlaw as the only change from last month’s win in Italy. Jasmine McQuade came into midfield alongside Eilidh Shore and captain Jodi McLeary, with Lisa Forrest joined by the incoming Bayley Hutchison up front.

After an even opening ten minutes, it was the hosts who took the lead with the first real chance of the game. Belgium captain, Alixe Bosteels, drove into the right hand side of the box before playing a low ball into Lisa Petry’s path, the no.9 poking the ball past Erin Clachers.

A positive response from Scotland followed, with the first big chance following to wing back Eilidh Austin. A corner came in from the left, and found its way to Austin at the back post, where she struck the ball low, forcing a good save out of Lowiese Seynhaeve.

Opportunities on the right continued to be the best avenue to goal for Michael McArdle’s side, as moments later Bayley Hutchison received the ball in the box, this time the Scotland effort going wide of the post.

Belgium also pushed to extend their lead, forcing Erin Clachers to come off her line on multiple occasions to confidently gather the ball from dangerous low crosses, ensuring the first half ended 1-0.

After a first half that saw Scotland begin on the front foot, Clachers was forced into another save, this time reacting well to Petry’s shot after Thirsa De Meester’s cut back.

Shortly after coming on from the substitutes bench, Rosie Livingstone combined well with Tegan Bowie down the left, with the latter sending a dangerous cross in for Forrest, but seeing her effort caught by the ‘keeper.

Entering the final 15 minutes, quick feet from Jodi McLeary saw her win a free kick on the edge of the Belgium box. Stepping up to take the set piece, it was fired over the wall, but was just too central to beat Seynhaeve, who gathered the ball.

As Scotland pushed for the equaliser, space opened up in their half, on one occasion allowing Petry to attempt a shot from just over the halfway line, but the ambitious effort floated wide.

As the game entered the final minutes, a Scotland free kick on the right rebounded about the box before falling to McLeary, who saw her effort deflected wide, before the resultant corner was comfortably cleared.

As Scotland continued to push, Belgium finally took their opportunity, as De Meester broke away down the left, laying off to Bosteels, who cut in to shoot on goal. Erin Clachers made a save to her left, but Roos Willemsen was there to tap in the rebound, and secure a 2-0 victory for the Belgians.

(scottishfa.co.uk)