SCOTLAND’S dream of a second successive World Cup ended on a night of high drama at Hampden. Instead it is the Republic of Ireland who, along with Switzerland, claimed an automatic passage to next summer’s finals in Australia and New Zealand.
There were jubilant scenes, led by head coach Vera Pauw, as the visitors celebrated their historic achievement of a first Word Cup appearance. Overall they deserved their win, although Scotland would have gone ahead had Caroline Weir not uncharacteristically had a penalty saved early in the game.
“I’m very disappointed – for the girls, and for the whole nation,” Scotland coach Pedro Martinez Losa said. “It was an incredible opportunity. I think the game was hard on us, but those things happen in life and in football. I apologise to the fans. We wanted to qualify for the World Cup so badly.”
