A late penalty sees Scotland U17 women fall 2–1 to Morocco in MIMA Cup

Scotland’s young internationals began their first set of games today, travelling to Murcia to compete in the MIMA Cup. The competition aims to train and improve teams for formal tournaments such as UEFA U17 Euro qualifiers and youth championships. Scotland’s Michael Tuohy will use it to prepare for Round 2 of the UEFA European Championship qualifiers in March, when his side will face Switzerland, Greece, and host Norway in an attempt to advance to the championships in Northern Ireland in June.

After Norway U17s defeated Poland 1-0 earlier in the day, it was Scotland’s turn to demonstrate their talent for the first time this year on the international stage.

Morocco kicked things off beneath the clear blue skies of Murcia’s Pinatar Arena, and it was immediately apparent that both teams were eager to start strong. Scotland’s Burn and Ositelu were forming a fantastic left-wing partnership within the first minute, purposefully pressuring the Moroccan defence. This pressure finally paid off when the Moroccan defender misjudged her ball, and O’Donnell was able to steal it, knock it on to her dominant right at the corner of the box for a strike on goal, but it floated over this time. However, it certainly wouldn’t be her last.

Morocco’s Sonia was chasing every loose ball and putting pressure on Scotland’s back line, but Scotland’s Ava Crawford would not let anything get past her on the right, sliding into challenges and making sure she was first to every ball that came her way. Her composure and strength to deny any striker presence were commendable.

Bouzman Celia, Morocco’s 16-year-old holding midfielder, commanded the midfield as if she had done so for years, confidently twisting and turning players while maintaining her team’s possession of the ball.

Morocco’s first chance of the game came from winger El Hajouti Sara, who surged towards the byline before attempting a cross across the box, but Scotland defended well, forcing a corner.

Throughout the first 20 minutes, Scotland’s Phoebe O’Donnell was flying up and down the right wing, creating many opportunities, and it paid off when the Moroccan defender had to deny her the cross and send it out for a corner. Teammate Orla Burns took the corner, floated it right on top of Morocco’s goalkeeper Meriem, and Scotland’s Lily Boyce volleyed it in with her right foot, giving Scotland the lead.

With minutes to go to half-time, a foul on the Moroccan striker sounded the whistle for a free kick 20 yards from goal. Scotland set up the wall while Morocco’s Oubella Meryem and captain Youssoufi Hiba stood over the ball. The skipper eventually hit the strike, but it bounced off the shoulder of Scotland’s Ositelu before dropping to Gorska, who scooped it up.

Half-time: Scotland 1-0 Morocco

Both teams began brightly in the second half. Morocco were certainly not going to settle for a defeat, and within the first few minutes, Meryem was surging down the left wing, ready to cut inside, only to be stopped in her tracks by Scotland’s Chloe Arrufat Wood.

After an hour, Morocco knew they needed an equaliser. Mayssa was pressing Scotland goalkeeper Gorska, hoping to force a mistake and keep her team in the game. Her persistent efforts paid off, as she eventually won her team a corner. Chaimae and Sonia’s short corner routine was fresh from the training ground and executed flawlessly. Sonia whipped the ball into the box, which was congested, and it landed at the feet of Malak for the equaliser.

For the following 20 minutes, both teams battled hard, with Scotland’s Duncan and Palmer on the right attempting to free their attackers with some lovely 1-2 passes.

However, after 80 minutes of relentless work, a trip in the box led to a penalty for Morocco. Baha Mayssa stepped up and fired the ball towards goal, but Scotland’s Julia Gorska managed to get her gloves on the ball, but as she palmed it down, Mayssa was already there to slot it home for their second of the afternoon.

Full Time: Scotland 1-2 Morocco