Scotland Women's Football Team
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Andreatta on 'tough' friendlies, Scotland confidence & newcomer Taylorpublished at 15:35 GMT 12 November
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source,SNSScotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been talking to the media afterselecting her squad for the upcoming friendlies against Ukraine and China.
Here are the key points:
"Let's build on what we've built so far" is Andreatta's message prior to fixtures that mark Scotland's final preparation before World Cup qualifying starts next year.
She adds: "Two tough games against teams that are in form, that are flying high in confidence, but so are we. Two teams who are taking these two games very seriously."
Andreatta - who has one win in her opening four games - is pleased with the progress she has seen since taking charge, but says there are aspects "we need to tighten up", adding: "There's things we can always improve on and with this group, that's what they're hungry to do."
The former Australia assistant coach called for fans to get behind the men's and women's teams as they seek World Cup qualification: "Doesn't matter if it's a Caroline [Weir] or [Scott] McTominay wearing the tartan blue. Get behind both teams because we're representing you and this nation to do you proud."
On Aston Villa midfielder Miri Taylor's first call-up after switching allegiance from England, Andreatta says the 25-year-old comes into camp with good form having "shown her qualities". While it is a "very competitive position" in the squad, Taylor's "holding midfield qualities is something want to look at".
Media caption, 'It doesn't matter if it's Caroline Weir or Scott McTominay'
What awaits Scotland in World Cup qualifying?published at 14:08 GMT 4 November
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport ScotlandMedia caption, 'Anything's possible' with Scotland - Andreatta
Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg. The first three obstacles between Scotland and the 2027 World Cup.
Not the best, but not the worst, would be the initial reaction to the draw in Nyon.
Starting from the top, pot one team Belgium are a nation not unfamiliar to Scotland. Two years ago, the countries met in the first iteration of the Nations League in Group A.
Both games finished 1-1 - the only points Scotland picked up in the top tier - but the lasting memory comes from the first meeting at Hampden, when Caroline Weir ruptured her ACL.
That injury meant she missed out on Scotland's meetings with Israel in June 2024 in Nations League B. The Scots didn't need the Real Madrid midfielder's magic, though, as they won 5-0 and 4-1 respectively.
Martha Thomas scored all four goals in the closed-doors game in Budapest.
In the aftermath of the 7 October attack by Hamas and the Israeli government's military response, European football's governing body, Uefa, decided no matches in its own competitions could be held in Israel for security reasons.
As a result, Hungary has mostly been the home of both Israel's men's and women's football teams in the past seven months.
The Scottish FA has been approached for comment regarding the upcoming games against Israel.
When the Israelis came to Hampden, kick-off was delayed as aprotestor chained himself to a goalpost.
The lowest-ranked team in the group, Luxembourg, are the nation Scotland have no recent history with. In fact, the sides have never met.
Melissa Andreatta's squad will be hopeful of ensuring there are no slip-ups in the matches against Luxembourg, with Belgium and Israel posing more challenges than perhaps she would have liked.
Wales would have been the preferred Pot 1 team, with Rhian Wilkinson's side on a wretched run of form - as well as now being in the post-Jess Fishlock era.
The recent friendly performance against Switzerland - also a Pot 1 team - has provided reason for optimism and promise in the early days of the Andreatta reign.
This, though, is the real deal. Part one. Let's not even think of the play-offs just yet...
Scotland fans, what do you make of the draw? Let us know your thoughts here.
Scotland 3-4 Switzerland: Have your saypublished at 21:58 GMT 28 October
Caroline Weir scored one and set up two goals on her Dunfermline homecoming, but it was not enough for victory as wasteful Scotland were defeated by Switzerland in an entertaining seven-goal friendly match.
Read the full match reporthere
Have your say on the gamevia this link
'Special' Weir homecoming gives Scotland 'buzz' - Andreattapublished at 16:47 GMT 27 October
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at East End Park
Image source,SNSCaroline Weir says it's a dream. Melissa Andreatta believes it'll be an inspiration.
The Ballon d'Or nominee's homecoming to Dunfermline is dominating the discussion as Scotland prepare to host Switzerland at East End Park on Tuesday.
Real Madrid midfielder Weir last took to the home turf of her beloved Pars 15 years ago for a birthday party, but will return for real as the Scots eye back-to-back victories following Friday night's win against Morocco.
Andreatta's squad trained on the pitch earlier on Monday after arriving back from Casablanca on Saturday afternoon, and the head coach said the native had an "ear to ear grin" as she took to the grass.
"She's a lifelong Pars fan, so to be here in her home city, in front of her friends and family - she showed me where her family used to sit - it just gives you that buzz," the Australian said.
"It's special for her and the players are happy for her. She's going to be inspired by the shouting Scots in the stands, the family and friends that she looks up to when she's singing the anthem and the tackles, the running, the big moments that her teammates take in the game.
"I think that's what will inspire her and her teammates to put in the type of performance that we want."
Andreatta familiarised herself with the city a matter of weeks ago, when she alsosat down for an exclusive interview with BBC Scotland, and hopes her side's game in Fife is not the last outside of Hampden.
"I've really quite enjoyed it and everyone's so warm and friendly," the Australian said of Dunfermline.
"Then, just now, I was out on the pitch with the coaches looking at our session and Caroline walked out and the grin was from ear to ear.
"It's a beautiful stadium, it's so tight and close. We hope we get around the rest of the country too and share that with other cities and regions as well."
'It's the ultimate dream, isn't it?'published at 19:22 BST 25 October
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in CasablancaMedia caption, Caroline Weir secured Scotland's first win in almost a year with a special wonder goal
Once Caroline Weir's wonder goal hit the back of the net in Casablanca, her focus sharply turned to her dream homecoming in Dunfermline on Tuesday.
The Real Madrid midfielder delivered a bit of magic in Morocco to earn Scotland their first win since 29 October 2024, but now she wants to repeat it at her East End Park.
Melissa Andreatta's side welcome Switzerland to the Kingdom of Fife in the second of four friendlies before the end of the year on Tuesday - live on BBC Alba - and it's set to be an extra-special night for the Ballon d'Or nominee.
Dunfermline native Weir, who last graced the Pars' pitch at a birthday party 15 years ago, can't wait to live outa lifelong dream of representing her country in her hometown.
"I'm so excited to be going back to Dunfermline, and I think the team are excited as well," Weir told BBC Scotland after her winner in Africa.
"I mean, that is the ultimate dream, isn't it? [to score another wonder goal in Dunfermline].
"I don't know, we'll see. That might have been a fluke to be fair with my right foot!"
Fluke or not, it was an fantastic individual moment from the midfielder, who once again had the captain's armband. And the skipper was proud of her squad.
"We knew it was going to be a tough challenge coming over here, not always pretty and playing a different type of team that we're used to," Weir told BBC Scotland.
"But I think the team dealt with it well. Of course, there were tough moments, but we've come out on top.
"And I think this is a start. We need this kind of momentum and a win helps with that.
"We've learned a lot from tonight and I'm really proud of the players."
