SCOTLAND coach Anna Signeul says her team will not be going to the Netherlands to make up the numbers at Euro 2017 next July.
The Swede wants to go where no Scottish team – male or female – has gone before. “We’re happy with qualifying today – but tomorrow we want to set new targets,” Signeul said.
“When we go to the Euros we’re going to push ourselves further. We haven’t set any goals with the players yet, but I’m happy to say our aim is to at least get out of the group stage and reach the quarter-finals.
“I’m certain that’s the least the players will want as well.”
A 2-1 win in Reykjavik on Tuesday night rounded off a successful Group One campaign and it emerged yesterday that Scotland were the best of the six group runners-up who have qualified.
Fifteen of the finalists are now known, with Russia and Romania playing for the final spot next month.
Signeul revealed that the GPS figures in Reykjavik confirmed that her players put in an enormous effort against a bigger Iceland side. Scotland controlled the game for the first hour, and only started to tire in the closing stages.
“The stats show we did more running and sprints than in any game in the last 18 months,” the coach said. “If you put in the physical effort you give yourselves a chance of winning games.”
The final group match was won without three of the squad’s best players, including Kim Little, who were injured. The Scots switched from the 4-2-3-1 formation they adopted at the start of the campaign to a more familiar 4-2-2.
“That allowed us to play much more solidly in the wide areas,” Signeul pointed out. “It might be that we’re not ready defensively to play 4-2-3-1 against the better teams.”
Jane Ross, with a header and penalty, scored the only goals Iceland conceded in the group and they also made her the joint top scorer in the competition, with ten.
Signeul was also pleased with the performances of the two youngest players.
“Caroline Weir stepped up,” Signeul said of the Liverpool central midfielder. “We always knew she has a great left foot and can strike the ball well, but she tackled well and was very physical.
“Kirsty Smith [the Hibernian full back] also did herself proud. We asked her to be more confident and she really stepped up to the mark. She had 48 sprints during the game when the average was 15, so that tells you how good she was at overlapping and getting forward.”
Signeul’s contract runs out in December, but it is inconceivable she won’t lead the side at the finals.
“Stewart [Regan] and I have said we need to sit down and talk,” she said. “I’m very proud to have taken the team to the finals but it’s not me that’s done it – it’s the players and everybody involved in the set-up.”
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