Three Takeaways From SWNT’s Friendly Success
Two victories, two clean sheets and the feeling that maybe, just maybe Scotland have started to find their feet under Pedro Martinéz Losa.
Here’s three takeaways from a successful international window for SWNT.
Emma Watson may get the headlines, but her success should pave the way for the next generation to start making waves
On Friday a debut with a dazzling array of numbers against Australia and on Tuesday scoring not just once, but twice for your country at Hampden. Life in a SWNT jersey appears to be light work so far for 17-year-old Rangers’ midfielder Emma Watson.
To make a debut at such a tender age is one thing but to leave the impression that Watson has in those two games is quite another, the joyful exuberance with which she celebrated her first goal for her country a reminder of how early in her Scotland journey the teenager really is.
Watson is an exceptional talent in the making, with an on-pitch presence and personality that belies her years but her success should not be an outlier but instead an incentive to a number of young SWPL stars that if you are good enough, you are old enough. I was buzzing and I hung up the boots a long time ago (admittedly I was also terrible at football) so for her contemporaries, many of whom compete regularly at first team level in the SWPL, just like Watson, her success must have been a huge fillup.
There is still a developmental gap to fill for those transitioning from U19 to full international level, such is the one that now awaits Hibernian striker Eilidh Adams the most recent highly-rated graduate of the Young Team to have no place to go but there will be a slew of players from U16 — U19 level who, as professionalism in Scotland continues to gain traction, will be looking at Watson’s impact and pushing for that to be their next step too.
Emma Mukandi can provide the centre back option Scotland need
I will hold my hands up and say I wasn’t expecting Emma Mukandi to start at centre back against either Australia or Costa Rica. In recent weeks she has stepped into that role for her club side Reading, but with career centre backs Jenna Clark and Kathryn Hill in Martinéz Losa’s squad it was still a surprise to see her be chosen to partner Sophie Howard in the centre of the Scotland defence with captain Rachel Corsie absent through injury.
Oh how wrong was I as the 30-year-old impressed across too very differing tests. Costa Rica was a contest she could almost have gone through whilst wearing slippers, smashing a bag of pick’n’mix and flicking through the latest issue of whatever magazine she fancied. She was called into action only once to deny Priscilla Chinchilla when it seemed inevitable that the Glasgow City forward was set to score, sliding in from nowhere at the last, she ended the game as the senior partner in the centre of defence.
Her performance against Australia though was the one to suggest that she could be an important piece during a transitional phase at the heart of the Scottish defence following the retirement of Jen Beattie.
Along with Howard she was the linchpin of a superb defensive display but along with backline efficiency the nominal full back is able to add progressive passing to Scotland’s play in the defensive third; often sending the same balls she would look to receive down the line to release both Nicola Docherty and Clare Emslie on frequent occasions against in both games.
Naturally left-footed the inclusion of Mukandi in the centre of defence can also provide balance, while her ability to fill in at full back can add flexibility both in game and from the bench. While all the talk has been of one Emma, the performances of her more experienced namesake should be heralded as equally newsworthy ahead of the competitive challenges to come.
Despite World Cup disappointment this a squad entering it’s prime
Against Australia Claire Emslie was handed the armband to mark the occasion of her 50th cap for Scotland. The 29-year-old and her trademark head first running has become a mainstay of the national side and she added yet another goal to her tally against Costa Rica on Tuesday night. She would be joined on the 50 cap mark by Fiona Brown, who’s tally at the age of 28 is made all the more remarkable when you consider the four career threatening injuries that the wing-back has overcome since making her debut in 2015.
They are not the only two. Caroline Weir is 27. Erin Cuthbert (absent for these matches through injury) is still only 24 as is Kirsty Hanson who’s impressive form for club side Aston Villa this season has been translated to Scotland blue. Sam Kerr (the good one who plays in midfield) is 23 and already a first team staple. Sophie Howard at 29 is about to enter her prime defensive years and Lee Gibson against both Australia and Costa Rica showed why she is still in ole position as her nation’s number one.
The challenge for many onlookers both at home and abroad has been why this talented collective have yet to fully spark into life but against both Australia and Costa Rica Scotland played with a forward momentum that had deserted them at the most crucial times in recent years.
Yes these are only friendlies and it is in the success defining moments that Scotland will be judged but after the bitter disappointment of defeat against the Irish last October new shoots of hope have started to appear.
This isn’t the dawning of a new era just yet, but it’s a start and that in itself is a step in the right direction. Roll on the Nations League draw on May 2nd.
If you enjoyed this, and you are able to, then you can buy us a wee coffee at the link below, it would be really appreciated:
https://ko-fi.com/mersh/
Until next time, peace and love.