Scotland v Hungary
Pinatar Cup
Tuesday, 22 February 2022, kick-off 7.30pm (UK time)
La Manga Club

Fresh from Saturday's impressive win over Slovakia, Scotland will look to round off their Pinatar Cup campaign in style against Hungary.

Defeat in the opening game against Wales means the Scots aren't in contention to defend the title they won two years ago, but the competitive action and warm-weather training camp has been the ideal preparation for the crucial upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Spain.

The two teams, of course, know all about each other from that same World Cup qualification group, with Scotland enjoying home and away wins over Hungary in 2021.

Team News

Scotland Head Coach Pedro Martinez Losa will again look to utilise his squad - conscious of the need to experiment while looking after the fitness of his players. 

Captain Rachel Corsie could be involved, after shaking off lingering sluggishness from a bout of COVID-19 to win a place on the bench against Slovakia. 

Others will be assessed closer to kick-off.

Pre-match thoughts

Martha Thomas was glad to make up for lost time in a Scotland shirt, after netting the clinching second goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Slovakia.

The Manchester United striker missed out on the last two national team camps and is keen to show a new-look coaching staff what she can bring to the table.

She said: “It’s felt like a long time coming. I worked with Pedro and his staff on their first trip, but it was difficult to miss out on the last two occasions through injury.

“It’s a new style of football, with a different mentality, but I’m enjoying it. Pedro wants us to have more of the ball and that’s what you want to hear as an attacker.

“First and foremost, I want goals and assists but we have to do our bit pressing high and winning the ball back as quickly as possible and then make the right decision when we get it.

“I’m happy dropping into pockets of space or stretching the backline. It worked well against Slovakia.”

Thomas looked threatening in a Scotland team that have created plenty of chances across their two games in the Pinatar Cup, and she knows – with the quality of player Pedro can pick from middle to front – that she just has to be ready to capitalise.

Reflecting on a seasoned poacher’s finish, she added: “It was a proper striker’s goal. It wasn’t the prettiest but those are the ones you like because they take a bit of thought, and your movement has to be right.

“I got a nice bruise on my quad from their goalkeeper for my trouble. I know, in this team, that if I put myself in the right areas then I’ll always get chances.”

Martha was handed her international bow in the original Pinatar Cup two years ago – scoring twice in the process in a 3-0 win over Ukraine.

She hopes to round off this year’s tournament with the kind of showing that will keep her front and centre for the big World Cup qualifiers on the horizon.

“With everything that’s happened in the world, it feels like longer than two years, but that day was a dream come true, to finally pull on the shirt, never mind score two goals.

“I’m very proud to play for my country and I want to do it as often as I can, for as long as I can.

“We have some important games coming up and everyone wants to be involved, so no-one will be taking the game against Hungary lightly.”

Where can I watch?

BBC ALBA will broadcast live coverage from 7.20pm (UK time). The match will also be streamed live via iPlayer and on the BBC Scotland website and then available to watch on demand for 30 days afterward.

BBC ALBA is available through the following channels:

Freeview/You View 7 (Scotland only)
Freesat 109 (UK)
Sky 117 (Scotland), Sky 169 (rest of the UK)
Virgin Media 120 (Scotland), Virgin Media 161 (rest of the UK)