The Scotland Women’s football team suffered their third defeat in the prestigious Brazil Women’s International Tournament last night despite a brave performance against Chile.
The game took place at the 68,000 capacity Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha which hosted the opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup earlier this year and will also host seven FIFA World Cup matches next summer, including a quarter-final.
Hibs’ goalkeeper Shannon Lynn made her first appearance in the tournament replacing skipper Gemma Fay.
The Scots started brightly with both Haley Lauder and Leanne Ross going close before Chile took the lead against the run of play when Maria Rojas raced clear to send a low shot past Lynn.
Scotland were level within three minutes. Former Hibs and Arsenal star Kim delivered a fine cross for Jane Ross, who beat her marker to flick the ball high in to the net.
Christine Murray added a second just before the break after good work from Lauder then Jane Ross drew another save from Endler while Lynn did well to save at the feet of Maria Rojas as both teams pushed forward.
Ross and Little continued to cause problems for the Chilean defence, but it was the South American’s who scored next when Francisca was first to react to a free-kick and flicked the ball in to the net.
Chile then scored two goals in four minutes to secure the victory. Araya got on the end of a cross in to the box to fire in to the net, before Saez blasted in a shot from close range.
Substitute Lana Clelland had a chance to pull one back for Scotland but Endler raced off her line to smother the ball and deny her.
Both sides continued to create opportunities, before another Scotland substitute Sarah Crilly picked up the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a terrific effort to beat Endler to make the score 4-3.
Scotland will face either Canada or Brazil in the 3rd/4th place match on Sunday.
Scotland
Lynn (GK), Love, Corsie, Beattie, Lauder, L Ross, Crichton, Sneddon, C Murray, Little, J Ross
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
