'Frustrated' Scotland show signs of growth in Belgium
A goalless draw away in Belgium was greeted with frustration by Scotland players in their World Cup bid, a sign that things are improving, writes Amy Canavan.
When the full-time whistle pierced the Leuven air, signalling Scotland were unscathed in back-to-back games against Group B4 top seeds Belgium, there was a collective feeling among the visitors. Not one of accomplishment or joy, not even job done, but rather frustration that they would be leaving with one point instead of all three. That in itself is rather telling of how this group have grown in the year Melissa Andreatta has been head coach.
The Red Flames are ranked 18th in the world - six places above the Scots - and have a striker in Tessa Wullaert with 101 international goals to her name. They have made the last three European Championships. But still, Scotland were left wondering 'what if' after their two draws in World Cup qualifying.
"I think it [their frustration] reveals they're character and what they're all about," Andreatta told BBC Scotland. "It was chaotic at times but I think we saw a really professional, mature, experienced performance. That's not determined by age, that's by them buying into what we're doing.
" Scotland top of group after stalemate in Belgium Weir on World Cup dreams, coaching kids in Fife & Empire Biscuits The Australian aiming to guide Scotland to World Cup 'It's a nice place to be, but we need to keep at it' If Scotland were offered up two points from these two games this time last week, they'd of been silly not to bite the offering hand off. This double-header, from both sides, was billed as the big one in terms of who will top the table come mid-June in the quest for the World Cup. Belgium head coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir told the BBC before Tuesday night's game when the draw was made this was one "neither side wanted".