China – a real challenge for Scots

SCOTLAND V CHINA (SENIOR WOMEN) –  WAKEFIELD 
JULY 20 & 22

Scotland`s senior women play their first game against
China in six years when the teams meet in Wakefield tomorrow, and
again on Sunday, the final build-up for the Beijing silver
medallists and world number five before their opening match against
South Korea in the London Games.  

Gordon Shepherd, Scotland`s coach, sees many advantage in this
unexpected fixture.   “Playing a team so highly ranked in
the world and about to play in the Olympics will pitch us against a
team at their peak – what a challenge!  The Chinese will be
very fit and have a lot of speed in their team, so we will be
challenged in our defence.”

The last time the two sides met was in the 2006 World Cup
Qualifier in Rome and the Scots lost 2-0 that day.   The
timing of these games is not ideal for the Scots, they are just
coming off a two week down time period, while the Chinese are ready
for the Games.  

In addition, Shepherd will be without his three Great Britain
players – Laura Bartlett, Emily Maguire and goalkeeper Abi Walker –
but also missing are the  three under 21 newcomers to the
squad, they are presently in Russia for the European
Championships.

But Shepherd sees positives in the game: “It`s an opportunity
for players who have just started making their way on the
international scene to play such a top level team, gain great
experience from it, and for me to see how they deal with it.” 
The players who fall into that category are Susan McGilveray,
Aileen Davis, Amy Brodie, Nicki Lloyd and goalkeeper Amy
Gibson.

Shepherd is also delighted to welcome Vikki Bunce back to
Scotland colours, VWS Dundee Wanderers midfielder was not selected
by Danny Kerry for the final Great Britain squad for London, and is
consequently released for the games against China.  
“It`s great to have Vikki back for these matches and we are all
looking forward to her rejoining the squad in the build-up for the
World League and the Champions Challenge coming up in the next
couple of months,” said Shepherd.

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