Corsie adds strength to defence against Brazil

THE availability of Rachel Corsie, pictured, who flew out to Brasilia on Thursday, will give Scotland’s women a boost as they prepare for their first ever match against Brazil at the 71,000-seater Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha this evening.

Rachel Corsie. Picture: SNS

Scotland, who were also missing Corsie’s central defensive partner Jenny Beattie and attacking midfielder Suzanne Lappin when they lost 2-0 to Canada at the same venue on Thursday, are using the four-nation Brasilia Tournament as preparation in their attempt to qualify for the 2015 Women’s World Cup.

That is being staged in Canada, and the hosts are putting all their resources into preparing a side capable of winning on home soil. John Herdman’s team, who are seventh in the FIFA rankings, were rarely troubled when scoring early in both halves.

Brazil, fourth in the rankings and including five-time world player of the year Marta, will provide Scotland with a formidable challenge today. Unlike their men, who will attempt to win a sixth tournament on home soil next year, they have never won the World Cup – but were runners-up to Germany in China six years ago.

Taking on such a tough competition when so many of the players are out of season was a risk, but coach Anna Signeul was delighted that her side – which retained its 20th place in the new FIFA ranking announced on Friday – had been invited.

“If we want to achieve our ambition of playing in the 2015 World Cup these are exactly the kind of matches we have to be playing,” the Swede said.

“We have never played Brazil or Chile [the fourth team in the tournament] before so the experience is invaluable for the players, as is playing in such a great footballing country.”