Scotland's High-Pressure Club Play Boosts World Cup Hopes, Says Andreatta
Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta believes that having members of the national squad accustomed to "playing with high pressure" for their clubs will be advantageous as the team pursues qualification for the World Cup.
Next month, Scotland will face Belgium twice, with both teams currently holding six points from six after their initial World Cup qualifiers in March. These upcoming matches are expected to be pivotal in deciding the winner of Group B4 and securing a higher seeding for the play-offs on the path to Brazil 2027.
Following commanding victories over Luxembourg at the start of their campaign, Andreatta feels her squad is prepared to confront stronger opposition.
"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.
"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.
"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."
Scotland vice-captain Erin Cuthbert, who captained Chelsea in their 3-1 Champions League quarter-final first-leg loss to Arsenal, is among the experienced players called up again by Andreatta, alongside captain Caroline Weir.
The squad also includes the recalled Eilidh Adams and Kathleen McGovern of Hibernian, despite McGovern sustaining an injury over the weekend.
"She's an example of that mentality amongst the group," said Andreatta.
"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."
Adams, 21, was absent from the recent wins over Luxembourg, where Scotland secured a 5-0 away victory and a 7-0 home triumph to launch their qualifying campaign.
Rangers defender Leah Eddie, 25, who earned her fourth cap in the second Luxembourg match after a late squad call-up, retains her place.
Additionally, Birmingham City midfielder Chelsea Cornet, 27, and Glasgow City full-back Amy Muir, 26, are included again after withdrawing from the previous camp.
Uncapped Rangers midfielder Jodi McLeary, 20, and Nottingham Forest midfielder Amy Rodgers, 25, are omitted this time after being unused substitutes in both Luxembourg games.
Scotland will host Belgium at Easter Road on 14 April, with the return fixture in Leuven scheduled four days later.
"We're really looking forward to it," said Australian Andreatta, who has overseen four wins, two draws, and two defeats with Scotland.
"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.
"I know that's what they'll look to do in this window. What we know about [Belgium], they're a team in form."
Scotland will conclude their group campaign with two matches against Israel in June. The top three teams will advance to the play-offs, which are scheduled between October and December.
