Fleeting treble sinks Ukraine
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Article summary
Scotland 5-1 Ukraine
A hat-trick from Julie Fleeting helped Scotland to an impressive Group 4 win on Sunday.
Article body
A hat-trick from Julie Fleeting helped Scotland to an impressive 5-1 home win against Ukraine in UEFA European Womens' Championship Group 4 on Sunday.
Back with a bang
Having been beaten 5-0 by Germany in their opening qualifier, Scotland bounced back with a bang but had to come from behind after Elena Hodyreva opened the scoring on 20 minutes. Debutant Julia Ralph then equalised for the home side nine minutes before the interval, converting a telling cross from Fleeting.
Fleeting treble
As Ukraine tired during the second half, Scotland edged in front through Linda Brown's 66th-minute effort, before Fleeting took centre stage in the final 15 minutes. Her first strike came on 75 minutes and goals on 86 and 89 minutes capped a fine individual display and a superb team effort by Vera Pauw's side.
Third place
Scotland are now third in the Group 4 standings with three points from two matches, level with both Germany and Portugal who have both played a game less. The Czech Republic are yet to start their qualifying campaign, while Ukraine are rock bottom having earned no points after their opening two fixtures. Scotland face Portugal away in their next match on 7 June and Ukraine take on the Czechs at home the following day.
