Scotland treating qualifiers like play-offs, says Clark
Scotland are treating their Women's World Cup qualifying double-headers like play-offs, says defender Jenna Clark. After each side won their opening two qualifiers, Scotland and Belgium meet on 14 and 18 April in Group B4. In June, Scotland play Israel home and away while Belgium meet Luxembourg twice.
[SNS] Scotland are treating their Women's World Cup qualifying double-headers like play-offs, says defender Jenna Clark. After each side won their opening two qualifiers, Scotland and Belgium meet on 14 and 18 April in Group B4. The Scots are at home in the first game and away for the second.
In June, Scotland play Israel home and away while Belgium meet Luxembourg twice. The top three sides in the section progress to the play-offs. "It's what a play-off would be and that's how we're treating all these games in this campaign," said Liverpool's Clark, 24.
"It definitely brings a different element - one we probably weren't used to before but I think it's important that we do get used to it because it could be crucial for us. "We know the level of the teams in this group. It will be a challenging game but one we'll be prepared for.
" Reaching next year's finals in Brazil and bringing "that kind of joy to the fans" is a big incentive for Scotland, says Jenna Clark. Clark referenced the men's team's 4-2 win over Denmark in November, which sealed qualification to this year's World Cup in North America and Mexico. "You can see how much that meant to the full nation and I was watching the game myself," Clark said.