A GOAL from Caroline Seger six minutes from time was all that separated Sweden, ranked sixth in the world, from Scotland’s patched-up team in Vaxjo last night.
The home side dominated the game and finally got their reward after the Scottish players put their bodies on the line time and again trying to hold out for the draw.
“If it had been the Euros it would have been devastating that we didn’t go away with a point – but I think we achieved what we came here to do,” Anna Signeul said.
“That was to stand up to Sweden and defend well.”
The head coach made two changes to the side which beat Romania 2-0 at Falkirk on Friday night. Hibernian captain Joelle Murray replaced Ifeoma Dieke, who came off injured against the Romanians, while Corsie, normally a central defender, was pushed forward in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Gemma Fay was again in goal, which means her next cap will take her total to 200.
Sweden made just one change to the side which lost 1-0 to World Cup holders USA in Gothenburg on Thursday, with Chelsea keeper Hefvig Lindahl returning from injury.
The Scots could barely get out of their own half but somehow survived a barrage of crosses and corners.
Barsley, getting her third cap in successive matches, and Murray made good blocks to prevent the home side scoring, while two minutes from the end of the half Frankie Brown had to clear off the line from Schelin.
The least worked player on the pitch was Lindahl, who barely touched the ball in the first half.
Jo Love replaced Corsie at the start of what was initially a much more even second half. The Swedes made two changes and three more on the hour, when Sophie Howard also came on for Murray for the Scots.
Sweden, with their fresh legs, mounted an all-out onslaught in the final 17 minutes and the goal arrived six minutes from time when Seger beat Howard in the air to direct her header beyond Fay.
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