By Nicholas Irwin

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Qualifiers
Scotland 1-1 Ukraine
Friday, 26 November 2021, kick-off 7.35pm
Hampden Park, Glasgow

SCORERS

Scotland: Harrison 93’

Ukraine: Kravchuk 29’

SWNT continue their unbeaten form within Group B with a well-deserved 1-1 draw against a defensively astute Ukraine.

Although the result is bittersweet for Scotland as they were dominating the game for large parts and had to wait until the 93rd minute for Abi Harrison to grab a late equaliser and take something from the game.

AS IT HAPPENED

With an opening 20 minutes consisting of Scotland dominating the ball, the visitors who hadn’t been involved in the game at all, were able to open the Scot’s up with one pass from Petryk, who played a perfectly timed through ball into the path of the lone striker Kravchuk, who had plenty of time to slot her shot into the bottom left-hand corner from 10 yards out, giving Ukraine the lead with their first shot on target.

Soon after Ukraine took the lead, Scotland also registered their first shot on target through new addition Abi Harrison, who had pounced onto a flick on, to quickly nutmeg the advancing Ukraine defender, only for her tame effort to roll into the hands of the Bondarchuk.

Abi Harrison was again involved in the action on the 38th minute, after latching onto a heavy through pass, she carried the ball another 20 yards until she blasted a shot from the top right corner of the box. Unfortunately, her powerful strike that was goal bound, was met impressively by the Ukrainian shot-stopper to deny Scotland from levelling.

Early in the second half, Scotland were piling on the pressure and nearly scored through Erin Cuthbert’s corner, which was met with a glancing header by the substitute Howard. Although the Scot’s were unable to go level, as her effort narrowly glided over the bar.

Just before the hour mark, Scotland came as close as you can to score without putting the ball in the back of the net. Caroline Weir had rattled a long-range strike down the centre of the goal from 25 yards out, albeit Bondarchuk was there yet again to tip the strike onto the bar and out for a corner kick.

In the 71st minute Scotland were presented with an excellent chance to draw level through their skipper Corsie. Seconds after Ukraine had cleared from Scotland’s attacking corner, Boyle was switched on at the edge of the box, to guide a floated ball into the back-post where it was met by Corsie who was unmarked. Fortunately for Ukraine, Apanaschenko was quick enough to react to the cross and provided a last stitch challenge to prevent Corsie from passing it into the back of the net.

Grimshaw came extremely close shortly after this chance through a well struck half-volley, although Ukraine’s solid defensive display continued as her strike was blocked, narrowly flying past the outside of the post.

Constant pressure was followed by Scotland, with many wide balls floated into the box with little success. Nevertheless, Scotland’s perseverance was finally rewarded with just one minute left to play. Rachel Corsie had lofted a long ball from deep in her own half, for it to be luckily misjudged by Shmatko. This set off the fresh substitute Lana Clelland, who was able to drive down the line and play a direct cross into the six-yard box which met the head of Scotland’s hero Abi Harrison, to secure a point in the dying embers of the game.

HOW WE LINED UP

Scotland: Alexander, Corsie, Beattie, (Howard 45’), Grimshaw (Clelland 79’), Boyle, Weir, Graham, (Ross 69’), Evans, Arthur, Harrison, and Cuthbert.

Unused substitutes: Fife, Cumings, McLauchlan, Docherty, Robertson, Murray, Muir, Clark and Arnot.

NEXT UP

Scotland travel to the Estadio de La Cartuja to face Spain on Tuesday 30th November, at 20:00 UK time. Spain currently tops the table with a flawless start; however, Scotland remain unbeaten and will be looking to get a result to overtake the current group leaders.