January 23, 2003

Scotland loses away to Italy in friendly

Colin Aldis

Italy 4, Scotland 1

International Challenge Match

Wednesday January 22, 2003

Stadio Flaminio, Rome

National Coach Vera Pauw put the result down as a very good learning experience, against one of the best teams in the world. "The Italians are professional players they train every day and the difference showed."

The Scots were outplayed and under intense pressure from the whistle. The Italians were 2-0 up at half-time and doubled their goal tally by the 64th minute. Julie Fleeting scored a consolation goal in the 80th minute - her 75th for Scotland.

Pauw stated "The match certainly made us sit up and take notice of what we need to achieve after the winter break. We need to develop physical and mental toughness."

Scotland

Johnstone, Claire

Barr, Michelle

Cook, Stacey

Grant, Nicky

Sneddon, Megan

Gilmour, Mhairi (Grant, Suzanne, 26)

Love, Joanne

Smith, Julie

James, Donna (Hamill, Pauline, 80)

Fleeting, Julie

McWhinnie, Debbie

Comment

This was another game in their scheduled build-up to prepare for Germany in the UEFA 2005 qualifying round. It is four months since they lost to the USA 8-2 but theyhave drawn 0-0 with Holland and beaten Portugal 2-0 in the last few weeks.

Another important test will come when China plays them on British soil for the first time in early march, before the World Cup hosts set off to the Algarve Cup 2003.