SCOTLAND v ITALY - International Challenge - Rugby Park - Kilmarnock - Wednesday 8th. April 2009

Record Crowd As Scotland Lose to Italy

Scotland were beaten 4-1 by Italy tonight, in front of a record Women’s International crowd.

Over 1800 spectators turned out at Rugby Park to see Scotland dominate the early exchanges, with Arsenal’s Suzanne Grant drawing a good save from A Maria Picarelli in the 5th minute.

Grant called Picarelli into action again a few minutes later, and had another run into the box halted by a well-timed tackle in the 15th minute.

Joanne Love, Pauline Hamill and Megan Sneddon combined well as Scotland pushed forward looking for the opener. At the back, former U19 captain Rachel Corsie started her first home match with confidence, while 17-year-old Celtic defender Jennifer Beattie put in a player of the match performance at left back.

But it was Italy who took the lead against the run of play. With the Scotland defence stretched, Tatiana Zorri pounced on a loose ball in the box to tap home from close range in the 19th minute.

The goal seemed to rattle the confidence of the Scottish players, as Italy began to take control of the game.

Italy added a second two minutes into the second half when Tona headed past captain Gemma Fay in the Scottish goal. The Italians were dominating the middle of the park and continued to test the Scottish defence.

Manieri made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute when her long range shot squeezed past Fay’s fingertips into the bottom corner, with Vicchiarello chipping in the fourth two minutes later.

Scotland pulled back a late goal, when Hamill converted a penalty after strike-partner Grant was floored.

Spartans forward Diana Barry won her first cap after replacing Grant, and almost made a dream start when her powerful looping shot was punched clear by Picarelli in injury time.

Scotland Head Coach Anna Signeul said: “This was a very disappointing performance, especially after we started off so well. Our heads seemed to go down after the first goal, and we allowed Italy to score a couple of very soft goals.

“I think we missed some of our big players tonight. Although young players like Rachel Corsie and Jennifer Beattie played very well at times, our inexperience showed and we looked vulnerable. But, the talent is there and we showed how well we can play in the early part of the game. As our younger players grow in confidence I know that we will be capable of getting the results we need.”

Attendance: 1,811

Scotland
Fay (Hibernian), Jones (Hibernian) (Brown (Hibernian), 81), Beattie (Celtic), Corsie (Glasgow City), L. Ross (Glasgow City), Love (Celtic), Little (Arsenal), Sneddon (Glasgow City), Grant (Arsenal) (Barry (Spartans) 89), Hamill (Celtic), Ferguson (Celtic) (McBride (Hibernian), 59)

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1811 Scotland fans came along to Rugby Park last night to take a look at Anna Signeul's revamped squad.

With skipper Julie Fleeting out, expecting her first child, Shelley Kerr retired and Ifeoma Dieke playing in the USA pro-league, Signeul took the opportunity to bleed some fresh talent.

The side are rebuilding for the World Cup qualification campaign after a disappointing end to their Euros bid- missing out on the finals by an away goal.

Unfortunately last night's performance was a shadow of the confident and fluid side that defeated Russia in Russia.

The Italians scored their first goal against the run of play as it was Scotland who started the brighter.

But when the right-back Guangi hit the bye-line and drilled a low ball across the box, no one tracked the run of captain Panico who had an easy finish from 10-yards.

Scotland hit back straight away with a curling effort from Leanne Ross but Picarelli saved well.

Italy struck again minutes into the second half when Panico headed home a deep lofted cross for her second goal.

The Italians stepped up a gear for the next 20-minutes. Manieri scored a sublime 35-yard drive for their third.

And Fuselli capitalised on some slack defending, bullying her way onto the ball and chipping Gemma Fay for the fourth.

But the 1800 strong crowd were given something to cheer about with ten-minutes to go when Scotland were awarded a penalty.

Suzanne Grant was clattered by the keeper and Pauline Hammill duly converted the spot-kick.

This kick-started the Scots who finished the game strong, creating a number of chances.

The introduction of Diana Barry also gave the side a spark and she pulled a terrific save from Picarelli with a swerving volley from 25-yards.

Manager Anna Signeul was delighted with the support offered from Kilmarnock Football Club and the community.

"This was a terrific support here today," she said. "I'm just sorry we couldn't put on a better performance."

"In some ways we have three players missing today. That might not sound a lot but they are key players from the spine of the team, players with leadership qualities which I thought we really lacked tonight.

"I am very disappointed because we have the talent but our heads went down after they scored and we just didn't lift them again.

"We have a lot to work on defensively as we are vulnerable in areas, but we have time before the campaign starts and we will work hard with the girls.

"But i'd like to say thank you to Kilmarnock FC, local development officers and local clubs who worked very hard to make this a good occasion and I'm glad the fans had something to cheer with the penalty at the end.

"That makes a difference to the experience tonight."

Kayleigh Cameron

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