Scotland 1-0 Denmark: Jane Ross goal secures win in final Algarve Cup match
- Published
Scotland ended their Algarve Cup campaign with two wins and a narrow defeat
Scotland head coach Shelley Kerr declared herself delighted with the Algarve Cup experience after a 1-0 win over Denmark clinched fifth place.
A much-changed and largely second-string Scotland side made it two wins from three games thanks to Jane Ross' first-half strike.
Denmark also fielded an under-strength team as they also played on Monday.
"It's been a really productive week and another step in the right direction," Kerr told BBC Scotland.
"It's been excellent - extensive work on the training pitch, a bit of bonding for team dynamics and three outstanding performances, albeit we narrowly lost to Canada."
"We don't want to play teams we're not going to get a challenge from and the last 11 days have been brilliant preparation for us."
'I thought they were magnificent'
The campaign ended on a high note with the narrow win over the Danes and the winner came from one of the few who had been a regular starter in the World Cup qualifiers.
The prolific Ross hammered her 58th international goal past Katrine Abel from the edge of the box, finishing off a swift counter-attack started by Jo Love's pinpoint pass.
The unfortunate Zoe Ness had earlier seen a first-time shot come back off the frame of the goal after a good move involving Leanne Crichton, Fiona Brown and Christie Murray.
And an even better effort - from 25 yards - also rattled the bar as Scotland tried to increase their advantage.
"We have a real trust, confidence and belief in all of the squad and I thought they were magnificent," said Kerr.
"They're really giving us a headache now because the squad is so competitive. It's getting better and better all the time."
But for all their positivity, Scotland needed another fringe player, Jenna Fife - making only her fourth appearance in goal - to be on her game.
The Hibs goalkeeper twice denied Frederikke Thogersen before saving well from Nadia Nadim - all this with the scoreline still goalless.
Fife was finally beaten deep into the second half when Frankie Brown was short with a pass back, allowing Nicoline Sorensen to nip in and slip the ball past the keeper. But Rachel Corsie was able to get back in time to prevent the ball crossing the line.
"I'm fighting as hard as I possibly can to even get to the World Cup," Fife told BBC Scotland. "I've definitely upped my game because I'm so determined to be in this squad.
"I learn so much every time I come away with them. If I could push on and get second or even first choice that would be brilliant for me."