‘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”.

It’s still very finely-poised because the Belgians have the opportunity to boost their goal difference against lowly Luxembourg and overtake the Scots – assuming they win both games while Scotland do the same against Israel, but Andreatta’s side are in a sound position.

“Still sitting top, it’s a really nice place to be in,” defender Nicola Docherty mentioned.

“But, we need to make sure we’re on it for the next games because we know that Belgium will be on our toes.”

To Scotland’s – and Docherty’s especially who marked Wullaert out the match – credit, their hosts on Saturday night could not get a proper foothold in the game to exude any semblance of rhythm or control.

It was all a bit chaotic – and a tad messy – but still with spells of superb stuff in the final third. Until it came to the last action.

Media caption,

Docherty on Belgium draw

That was the story of Tuesday night at Easter Road too. The Scots were dominant, created decent chances but just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net, until McGovern did deep into stoppage-time to level.

In the Hibernian striker – who had six goals in seven games before this one – it does seem the Scots have found the goalscoring forward they’ve been missing.

But in both games she missed golden opportunities too. Though she was not the only one.

Andreatta insists the clinical edge which is still missing will come as “connections grow” between players.

Lauren Davidson was drafted in from the off after her impressive performance and assist off the bench midweek, while Freya Gregory only earned her first cap last year, along with McGovern.

There’s still a bit of a transitional feel about things, but Scotland don’t have time for bedding in.

The players know it. Many have seen this movie before where they canter through qualifying campaigns but panic at the play-offs, which are guaranteed to come.

“Frustration” was the first word Docherty mentioned in her post-match reflection.

She, along with Weir, have been mentioned to have been sharing horror stories of the past in camp this week. Fresh faces, such as McGovern and Miri Taylor have spoken of their importance.

Important to recognise but not be restrained by.

Andreatta has done well in her year to release the squad of their shackles and shift their mentality to one where Scotland leave Belgium with a point and a pang of pain.

A double-header with Isreal is the next challenge, but the overriding focus is getting her side ready to right their play-off wrongs later this year.

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