Scotland set for top of the table clash with Serbia to conclude qualifying group phase

Scotland v Serbia
UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers
Tuesday, 16 July, kick off 6pm
Wyre Stadium at Firhill, Glasgow       

Scotland conclude the group phase of qualifying for next summer’s European Championships with a match against Serbia in Glasgow on Tuesday evening. 

Scotland and Serbia both sit on 13 points after five matches and the two sides could not be separated when playing out a 0-0 draw on matchday one. 

Scotland are top on goal difference, courtesy of the impressive form shown since that draw, and have already secured a place in the play-offs which will take place later in the year. 

Pedro Martinez Losa’s side have scored 12 goals and conceded just one since playing Serbia, securing two wins apiece over Israel and Slovakia. 

Scotland also had to battle the elements on Friday evening as they faced Slovakia in Nitra, with a significant delay to the match in the second half owing to stormy conditions. A double from Claire Emslie either side of the stoppage was enough to give the Scots the victory.

Serbia have also shown good form in the group and they kept themselves in the hunt for top spot with a 1-0 victory over Israel. 

Prior to Scotland’s goalless draw with Serbia, the last meeting was in 2013, the Scots drew 1-1 in a friendly in Stara Pazova. Of the current squad, only Rachel Corsie and Nicola Docherty were involved in that match.

Team news

There has only been one change to the squad since it was named, with Mia McAulay coming in for Jane Ross. Eartha Cumings kept a clean sheet on her first competitive start for her country and will be looking to build on that, while Emslie now has four goals in her last three games for Scotland. 

Pre-match thoughts

Speaking after her competitive debut, Cumings said: “Obviously I didn’t really know it was coming because we have three great goalkeepers here so it could have been any one of us. Pedro gave me the opportunity and I’m so buzzing with the clean sheet and the win. 

“It was so special and you’ve got to take a moment to think ‘You’re starting a European Championship qualifier for your country’ – sometimes you don’t think it’s going to happen.

“I think we dealt with the delays well. The girls were calm in the changing rooms. Obviously you never know what the weather is going to do. Everyone handled it really well and we came out really strong in the second half.”

Where to watch

The match will be live on BBC Alba, with coverage from 5:50pm

Scotland Squad

Jenna Clark Liverpool
Kelly Clark Celtic
Chelsea Cornet Rangers
Rachel Corsie Aston Villa
Eartha Cumings Rosengard
Erin Cuthbert Chelsea
Nicola Docherty Rangers
Leah Eddie Rangers
Claire Emslie Angel City FC
Lisa Evans Glasgow City
Jenna Fife Rangers
Lee Gibson Glasgow City
Kirsty Hanson Aston Villa
Brogan Hay Rangers
Sophie Howard Leicester City
Kirsty Howat Rangers
Sam Kerr FC Bayern
Kirsty Maclean Rangers
Mia McAulay Rangers
Jamie-Lee Napier Bristol City
Amy Rodgers Bristol City
Kirsty Smith West Ham United
Martha Thomas Tottenham Hotspur