Scotland win 2-1 but Swiss women still control their fate

by Roddy Speirs, St Mirren Park

Scotland no longer control their own fate in World Cup Group 2 after beating Switzerland 2-1 at St Mirren Park. Having won their first encounter 1-0, Switzerland lead the Scots on the head-to-head tiebreaker and will top the group if they win in Poland next week.

Both sides have 18 points and if the Swiss slip up, Scotland can still top the group themselves by winning in Albania.

All three goals were scored in the first seven minutes with Erin Cuthbert and a Kim Little defected shot giving the Scots a shock 2-0 lead inside 6 minutes. Switzerland recovered their composure quickly and Lara Dickenmann pulled the key goal back with a full 83 minutes left to play.

Cuthbert’s opener came from distance inside two minutes. The Swiss back four was still in a state of reorganisation when Kim Little tried a speculative effort from the left hand side and, via a deflection, it sent the unfortunate Gaëlle Thalmann in the Swiss goal the wrong way.

Seconds later, effective Swiss passing cut through Scotland and captain Lara Dickenmann who scored against Scotland in the first match, did so again and pulled the score back to 2-1 in the home side’s favour.

That was the end of the scoring but Rachel Corsie making her 100th appearance for her country volleyed over with an overhead kick before half time. Scotland’s only other convincing effort came late on when Caroline Weir’s free kick forced Thalmann into an excellent leg save as she lay on the pitch.

Naomi Mégroz was called into the Swiss starting XI at the last minute after Portland Thorns’ Ana-Marie Crnogorcevic was injured in the warm up.  She was foremost among Switzerland’s defensive stars alongside Luna Bühler and Noelle Maritz who all excelled to keep a lively Scotland attack, led by the effervescent Kim Little, at bay. Such was the dominance of the ersatz Swiss right back Mégroz that Scotland manager Shelley Kerr switched left winger Claire Emslie to the right wing after half time. Throughout the night, Erin Cuthbert was a handful.

Shelley Kerr switched tactics at half time but couldn’t find a crucial third goal

At the other end, the Scots had their hands full quelling Ramona Bachmann but Rachel Corsie, Emma Mitchell and Jennifer Beattle were outstanding at the back. Beattie’s best battle came in the air with the tall Swiss defender Rahel Kiwic, a duel that bordered on the physical but was always fascinating.

Mitchell pulled herself to her full height for a tête-a-tête with Bachmann which Swedish referee Sara Persson had to diffuse. Corsie also made a very brave header at the feet of Bachmann and even won the goal kick for her troubles.

Switzerland’s best moments were few although Beattie was forced to clear from nearly off the goalline in the 35th minute. Kiwic regularly won first ball at corners despite the attention of Beattie. Kim Little was busy and effective covering every blade of the Paisley turf but very good Swiss marking prevented her from ever quite setting a colleague free.

Although the scoring was over within the first nine minutes, the match was an intriguing contest throughout. Both teams worked tirelessly and both looked as if they could add further goals.  In the end however each teams’ defence proved to be better than their opponent’s threat.

A crowd of 4098, a record for a Scottish womens’ home game, were thoroughly entertained but despite the loss, the Swiss players seemed happier at full time.