Brynjarsdottir

Brynjarsdóttir helps Iceland to victory over Scotland at Pinatar Cup opener

Dagný Brynjarsdóttir helped Iceland to 2-0 victory over Scotland in their opening fixture of the international break on Wednesday afternoon. 

Brynjarsdóttir started in the heart of midfield for her country, as Iceland ensured their Pinatar Cup campaign, which is taking place in Murcia, Spain over the next week, would get off to the perfect start. 

Lisa Evans and Kirsty Smith were named on the bench by Scotland boss Pedro Martínez Losa. 

It was Scotland who would dominate the play in the opening 45 minutes, having eleven shots on goal, but only being able to test goalkeeper Sandra Sigurðardóttir on two occasions. 

Rangers’ Brogan Hay almost opened her account for her country, but she was denied from close range, whilst Sophie Howard had the best chance of the game, crashing a header off the post from a corner kick. 

But the Scots would be made to pay for not taking one of those chances five minutes after half-time. 

Ólöf Sigríður Kristinsdóttir, who was making her debut for Stelpurnar okkar was afforded time to swivel on the edge of the area – and a deflected shot wrongfooted the previously untroubled Lee Gibson to give Iceland the lead. 

A minute later and they were two goals ahead, with Kristinsdóttir making the most of a mistake at the back and firing a shot beautifully into the far corner – both goals coming completely against the run of play and the overall story of the match. 

Brynjarsdóttir would be substituted after 64 minutes of the contest, whilst Smith entered the fray three minutes later. 

Scotland looked for a way back into the game, but Iceland were dogged in their defending in and around their six-yard-box. 

Their frustration was highlighted by captain Rachel Corsie – who drilled an effort wide from 25-yards – drawing a frustrated breath as she saw it land wide of the mark.  

Ultimately, Smith couldn’t help her side to claw a way back into the match in the closing stages and Iceland would make a winning start to the compeititon.

Evans was an unused substitute in the defeat – and will be hoping to gain minutes in Scotland’s next fixture – a clash with the Philippines on Saturday 18 February, 2pm GMT. 

Iceland will play Wales on Sunday evening, with that fixture kicking off at 7:30pm GMT. 
 

A total of eleven West Ham United players are currently away with their National sides during the February international break. Read all about who has been called up in our 'All You Need To Know' guide!

 

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