Pinatar Cup 2024
Philippines 0 – 2 Scotland
Saturday, 24 February 2024
Pinatar Arena, Spain

Scorers

Philippines 0
Scotland 2 (Thomas 22’, 36’)

Team news

Only three players remain from the team that faced the Philippines last year. Lisa Evans, Sam Kerr and Martha Thomas all retained their starting positions. Pedro Martinez Losa’s first eleven of 2024 featured Sandy MacIver in goals with a back four of Nicola Docherty, Rachel Corsie, Sophie Howard and Lisa Evans. Erin Cuthbert, Sam Kerr and Hayley Lauder shored up the midfield with Brogan Hay and Claire Emslie either side of striker Martha Thomas.

As it happened…

Philippines got the match underway in blustery conditions and Scotland were fast out of the traps. The first chance of the game fell to Emslie after 90 seconds who had an opportunity at the far post, but the winger couldn’t capitalise on a superb cross from Evans on the right.

Philippines had half a chance around 12 minutes when Scotland lost possession just outside the box. Kerr recovered just in time to slide the ball clear before Serrano could get a shot away.

After a period of sustained pressure and back-to-back chances for Kerr, Scotland made the breakthrough with a goal from Thomas on 22 minutes. The striker was there to pounce on the rebound after a powerful drive from Cuthbert forced the keeper to spill the shot directly into the path of Thomas who duly tapped the ball home.

On the half hour mark, goal of the year winner Docherty delivered a wonderful ball from the edge of the box which found the head of Lauder, but McDaniel managed to tip the midfielder’s attempt over the bar.

Scotland didn’t have to wait long for another goal – Thomas was at the double on 36 minutes after nodding in a pinpoint cross from Emslie on the left.

Scotland cruised to half-time with a comfortable two-goal lead. Changes were made at the break with Thomas and Lauder making way for Ross and Cornet.

Philippines started a little brighter in the second half and quickly came close to getting a goal back courtesy of a corner whipped in from the left. MacIver was alert to the threat and Cornet cleared the danger.

Philippines continued to press high around the hour-mark. Pedro Martinez Losa opted for a double substitution on 68 minutes with Hay and Evans making way for Napier and Hanson.

Norman had a chance on 70 minutes and with MacIver at full stretch the effort floated over the bar. Five minutes later Emslie had a chance to make it 3-0, but the long-range shot was just off target.

Napier and Hanson were both lively since their introductions – the latter with promising deliveries into the box in quick succession, but no-one could convert.

Two minutes additional time saw Kirsty Hanson go close again, as her strike deflected just over the crossbar, with the subsequent corner proving to be the last act of the game.

Up next for Scotland, the winner of Finland or Slovenia on Tuesday at 1pm – you can catch it live on BBC Alba.

Teams

Scotland: MacIver, Docherty, Corsie (Clark 78’), Howard, Evans (Hanson 68’), Cuthbert, Kerr, Lauder (Cornet 46’), Hay (Napier 68’), Emslie (Brown 78’), Thomas (Ross 46’)

Unused subs: Gibson, Fife, Rodgers, Eddie, Smith, Davidson

Philippines: McDaniel, Cowart, Sawicki, Beard, Harrison, Eggesvik, Bolden, Quezada, Serrano, Norman, Guillou