{"id":8627,"date":"2026-03-27T00:47:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T00:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/8627\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T00:47:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T00:47:19","slug":"scots-playing-with-pressure-encourages-andreatta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/8627\/","title":{"rendered":"Scots playing with pressure encourages Andreatta"},"content":{"rendered":"

Having members of the Scotland squad “playing with high pressure” for their clubs will benefit the national side’s quest for the World Cup, says head coach Melissa Andreatta.<\/p>\n

Scotland will face Belgium twice next month, with both sides sitting on six points out of six from their opening World Cup qualifiers in March.<\/p>\n

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The double-header will probably be decisive in determining who wins Group B4 and claim a higher seeding for the play-offs in the race to reach Brazil 2027.<\/p>\n

Andreatta believes her squad are ready to face better opposition after dominant wins over Luxembourg to open their campaign.<\/p>\n

“Playing [and beating] China recently away was a good challenge, they just went deep in the Asia Cup over in Australia, they’re very close in ranking to Belgium but the context is different.<\/p>\n

“We’re in a competitive game now, trying to qualify for something big in a major tournament. What we have is a group of players that are doing that weekly for clubs.<\/p>\n

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“They’re in situations, even as recently as last night [Arsenal v Chelsea], where they’re playing with high pressure and having to perform under the highest pressure.”<\/p>\n

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Scotland vice-captain Erin Cuthbert skippered Chelsea in their 3-1 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat by Arsenal<\/a> and is one of the established players called upon again by Andreatta, along with captain Caroline Weir.<\/p>\n

Eilidh Adams has been recalled to the squad while Hibernian team-mate Kathleen McGovern is included, despite picking up an injury at the weekend.<\/p>\n

“She’s an example of that mentality amongst the group,” said Andreatta.<\/p>\n

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“She’s been embraced by a lot of the senior players. I’m in touch with our medical team, who are in touch with Hibs and we’re taking it day-by-day but it was precautionary at this point.”<\/p>\n

Adams, 21, missed out on this month’s wins over Luxembourg as Scotland opened their qualifying campaign with a 5-0 away win and 7-0 home victory.<\/p>\n

Rangers defender Leah Eddie, 25, who won her fourth cap in the second meeting with Luxembourg after being a late call-up to the squad, retains her place.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Birmingham City midfielder Chelsea Cornet nd Glasgow City full-back Amy Muir, 26, are named again after having to withdraw from the previous camp.<\/p>\n

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Uncapped Rangers midfielder Jodi McLeary, 20, and Nottingham Forest midfielder Amy Rodgers, 25, are not included this time after being unused substitutes in both games against Luxembourg.<\/p>\n

The Scots host Belgium, who beat Israel twice this month, at Easter Road on 14 April, with the return in Leuven four days later.<\/p>\n

“We’re really looking forward to it,” said Australian Andreatta, who has overseen four wins, two draws and two defeats with Scotland.<\/p>\n

“We’ll relish the challenge, that’s what this group has done from the outset. They’re a group that’s hungry to be the best that they can be and make their best even better.<\/p>\n

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“I know that’s what they’ll look to do in this window. What we know about [Belgium], they’re a team in form.”<\/p>\n

Scotland conclude the group campaign with two matches against Israel in June.<\/p>\n

The top three will progress to the play-offs, which will be staged from October through December.<\/p>\n

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