Several West Ham United women’s team players were in international action for their countries on Friday evening and the early hours of Saturday morning.
Starting with the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures on Friday, Lisa Evans came off the bench for Scotland in a tightly contested 2-1 defeat to England at Stadium of Light.
Lucy Bronze superbly directed a cross from Katie Zelem beyond Scotland Lee Gibson, who couldn’t get near her headed strike on 39 minutes.
Lauren Hemp made it two with another powerful header five minutes later, but Scotland would pull one back just before the half time whistle sounded, as Kirsty Hanson slotted home Claire Emslie’s cut-back after a mistake at the back.
Scotland had more chances in the second half, with Hanson smashing the crossbar, whilst former Hammer Martha Thomas could only head straight at Mary Earps.
Evans entered the fray on 83 minutes as they continued their search for an equaliser, but the Lionesses hung on to clinch victory as they look to clinch Olympic qualification on behalf of Team GB.
Viviane Asseyi was an unused substitute as France made a solid start to their Nations League campaign, beating Portugal 2-0 thanks goals from Grace Geyoro and Selma Bacha, with the latter sealing the win late on.
Amber Tysiak was not named in the matchday squad for Belgium, as The Red Flames beat the Netherlands 2-1 to join England at the top of Group A.
Away from competitive action, in the early hours of Saturday morning, Japan turned on the style in an 8-0 victory over Argentina in a friendly match at Mikuni World Stadium.
The World Cup quarter-finalists dominated their opponents from start to finish, and were 4-0 up at the break thanks to a double from former West Ham midfielder, Yui Hasegawa, as well as strikes from Mina Tanaka and Hana Takahashi.
Risa Shimizu started the match, with Riko Ueki and Honoka Hayashi coming off the bench on 46 and 58 minutes respectively.
Hayashi would lay on an assist for Kiko Seike to score on 61 minutes, before Hina Sugita made it 6-0 five minutes later.
Ueki was a constant threat in the second half, and would get on the scoresheet herself on 80 minutes, slotting home from the penalty spot, before Seike rounded off the win in second half stoppage time to bring the demolition to an end.
After our internationals return, watch West Ham United women's team in their first Barclays Women's Super League match of the season! Purchase your ticket by clicking on the graphic below!
