Pedro Martinez Losa believes his Scotland aspect can beat Belgium and “put England in difficulties” of their remaining two Ladies’s Nations League video games.
Scotland sit backside of Group A with one level and should win each matches to have an opportunity of avoiding relegation on the finish of the inaugural competitors.
They drew with Belgium at dwelling in September after a 2-1 loss in England.
“We all know we are able to compete in opposition to Belgium – we all know we are able to beat Belgium,” Scotland’s head coach mentioned.
“We additionally see they’re a really sensible workforce and are getting outcomes in opposition to massive groups. After that, we now have that particular state of affairs of what it means to play at Hampden in opposition to England and I am fairly positive we may have the assist of the group and that will likely be a plus.
“Hopefully we’re nonetheless alive within the competitors and I am fairly assured we are able to put England in difficulties.”
Scotland journey to face Belgium on Friday, 1 December earlier than internet hosting England at Hampden 4 days later.
The Scots have one level, with England on six and Belgium on seven, after struggling back-to-back defeats by group leaders Netherlands of their most up-to-date video games.
Nonetheless, Martinez Losa’s squad is bolstered by the return from damage of Bayern Munich midfielder Sam Kerr together with London Metropolis Lionesses defender Emma Mukandi, Bristol Metropolis striker Abi Harrison and Rangers ahead Brogan Hay.
The pinnacle coach says his gamers “broke a barrier” of confidence with their improved second-half show of their slim defeat by England, who might arrive at Hampden needing to win so as to qualify Nice Britain for subsequent yr’s Olympics.
Martinez Losa doesn’t assume relegation from the Nations League high tier could be a large blow to that confidence, stating his aspect had gone into the competitors unbeaten in seven video games.
Though “difficult”, he identified that reaching their goal of two group wins was nonetheless attainable as they felt their performances to date merited greater than a single draw.
Martinez Losa additionally famous that solely Portugal, with three factors, have extra factors from among the many fourth seeds in every group, with Switzerland and Wales but to get off the mark.
In the meantime, dropping out of the Scotland squad this time are uncapped Rangers defender Kathryn Hill, clubmate striker Kirsty Howat and Celtic midfielder Jenny Smith, whereas Chelsea Cornett, the Rangers midfielder who was a late addition final time, can also be not included.
Scotland are nonetheless with out two key midfielders – Actual Madrid’s Caroline Weir and Manchester United’s Emma Watson – by means of long-term damage.
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Jenna Fife (Rangers), Lee Gibson (Glasgow Metropolis), Sandy MacIver (Manchester Metropolis).
Defenders: Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Rachel Corsie (Aston Villa), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester Metropolis), Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers), Emma Mukandi (London Metropolis Lionesses).
Midfielders: Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Lauren Davidson (Glasgow Metropolis), Claire Emslie (Angel Metropolis), Lisa Evans (West Ham United), Christy Grimshaw (AC Milan), Sam Kerr (Bayern Frauen), Kirsty MacLean (Rangers), Jamie-Lee Napier (Bristol Metropolis), Amy Rodgers (Bristol Metropolis).
Forwards: Fiona Brown (Rosengard), Amy Gallacher (Celtic), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Abi Harrison (Bristol Metropolis), Brogan Hay (Rangers), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur).