Scots on course for women's World Cup

SCOTLAND'S impressive form in the women's World Cup qualifying continued on Saturday when they beat Bulgaria 5-0 in Sofia.

Goals from five different players maintained the Scots' 100 per cent record in Group 3 and claimed their biggest away win under coach Anna Signeul. The highlight was a superb opener from Arsenal defender Jennifer Beattie, who intercepted the ball on the halfway line and shrugged off several tackles before unleashing a fierce left-footed shot into the net.

"It was a fantastic goal," said Signeul. "The Bulgarian keeper was their best player but nobody could have stopped that."

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Scotland now face group leaders Denmark at Rugby Park on Thursday night. The Danes, who beat Greece 7-0 on Saturday, have 16 points from six games, and Scotland 15 from five. "Winning in Bulgaria was a huge boost, because that is where Denmark dropped their only point," said Signeul.

Scotland came through the game – in which Julie Fleeting scored her 113th international goal – without any injury worries, and are also likely to have Suzanne Grant fit for the match against Denmark. The Celtic striker has a calf strain and wasn't risked in Sofia.

Victory at Rugby Park would virtually assure Scotland of winning Group 3 and making the play-offs for a place in next summer's World Cup finals in Germany. They would still have to travel to Denmark for the last game in the group in August, but a home win over Greece before that would leave them in an unassailable position.

Scotland's other goals came from a Kim Little penalty, Rachel Corsie and Pauline Hamill.

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