Scotland battle hard for draw with Dutch
Netherlands 1 (Roord 10) Scotland 1 (McGovern 27)
Scotland earned a hard fought 1-
in the first half.
Head Coach Melissa Andreatta made two changes to the side that narrowly lost to Austria, bringing in Mia McAulay for Lauren Davidson, who moved to the
bench, and Kirsty MacLean replaced the injured Amy Rodgers. The home side meanwhile were once again captained by the remarkable Sherida Spitse, who extended her new European record number of caps to 242 having surpassed Caroline Seger’s total a few days earlier.
The Netherlands took an early lead in the tenth minute through Jill Roord. The midfielder pounced on a cutback from Romee Leuchter, forcing an initial save from Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson before slotting the rebound into the roof of the net.
The hosts pressed for a second, with Gibson making several key stops, including a fine save from Roord’s left footed strike in the 26th minute.
That save proved pivotal, as Scotland equalised moments later. Emma Lawton intercepted a pass on the halfway line and surged forward, delivering a precise cross for Kathleen McGovern to volley past Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar in the 27th minute for her first international goal.
The Dutch remained dangerous, with Roord testing Gibson again shortly after the half hour mark and Leuchter’s volley being deflected clear by Sophie Howard. Scotland, however, nearly took a surprise lead when McAulay broke through on an Erin Cuthbert pass but she dragged her shot just wide.
Despite being second best in the first half, Scotland improved significantly after the break. Andreatta’s substitutions—Rachel McLauchlan, Kirsty Smith, Martha Thomas, and Kirsty Howat—bolstered the visitors, who controlled much of the second period. McAulay had another chance early in the second half but was denied by Van Domselaar from a tight angle.
The Netherlands thought they had won it in the 80th minute when Roord’s low effort, set up by Chasity Grant, grazed the post. Scotland responded three minutes later as Caroline Weir’s flick sent Howat through, only for Van Domselaar to save her shot.
Scotland pushed for a late winner, with McLauchlan’s mazy run nearly creating an opportunity before she was crowded out. Substitutes McLauchlan and Thomas then combined, but the latter’s shot was blocked by Van Domselaar’s feet. Thomas came close again in the 89th minute, heading Jenna Muir’s cross onto the roof of the net.
Despite their late pressure, Scotland settled for a creditable point against a strong Dutch side, marking a positive end to their Nations League campaign.
Netherlands: Daphne van Domselaar, Kerstin Casparij (sub Lynn Wilms 74mins), Esmee Brugts, Caitlin Dijkstra, Jackie Groenen, Jill Roord (sub Damaris Egurrola 85mins), Wieke Kaptein, Sherida Spitse (sub Dominique Janssen 68mins), Romee Leuchter, Danielle van de Donk (sub Chasity Grant 68mins), Victoria Pelova (sub Katja Snoeijs 85mins). Subs not used: Lize Kop, Danielle de Jong, Jill Baijings, Merel van Dongen, Shanice van de Sanden, Renate Jansen, Ilse van der Zanden.
Scotland: Lee Gibson, Emma Lawton, Amy Muir, Jenna Clark, Sophie Howard (sub Rachel McLauchlan 45mins), Kirsty MacLean (sub Emma Watson 90mins), Erin Cuthbert, Mia McAuley (sub Kirsty Howat 56mins), Caroline Weir, Kathleen McGovern (sub Martha Thomas 56mins), Freya Gregory (sub Kirsty Smith 45mins). Subs not used: Sandy MacIver, Eartha Cumings, Rachel Corsie, Chelsea Cornet, Charlotte Newsham, Brogan Hay, Lauren Davidson.
