Iceland survive Scotland fightback to progress

Last summer's UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship semi-finalists Iceland are through to the second qualifying round after holding off the challenge of Scotland to top Group 10.

Having beaten Austria, staging the first qualifying round mini-tournament, and Kazakhstan, Iceland needed only a point today against Scotland to confirm first place and it finished 2-2. Hanna Kristin Hannesdóttir's 17th-minute goal was added to just past the hour by Berglind Ros Agustsdóttir, one of four veterans of last year's finals squad. Caroline Weir and Zoe Ness drew Scotland level in the closing nine minutes but they are out despite an unbeaten campaign.

Iceland coach Thorlákur Árnason told UEFA.com: "I thought it was a roller coaster, the whole game, full of emotions. Both teams wanted to win, both teams had the chances to win, but in the end I think the draw is fair. We knew the tournament will not be easy. Austria and Scotland have both very good teams. We have some of our best players at home, but the others stepped up and showed good potential. The games against Austria and Scotland were good, we did not play well against Kazakhstan.

"In general I am satisfied. We will do our best in the second qualifying round, but we have lot of players also playing for the U19s who will not be able to play, so it will be difficult. However, these matches will be great experience for the rest of the girls."

Scotland led the group after matchday one, Carolina Richardson, Lucy Graham and Weir's second-half goals giving them a 3-0 win against Kazakhstan. Iceland beat Austria 2-1 thanks to Lára Einarsdóttir and Svava Rós Gudmundsdóttir, Jelena Gatea pulling one back with 15 minutes left.

Iceland then moved ahead with their 3-0 defeat of Kazakhstan as two strikes from Glódís Viggosdóttir were added to at the death by Eva Lind Eliasdóttir. Scotland drew 1-1 with Austria after Elizabeth Arnot cancelled out Nicole Billa's opener.

Although Scotland's subsequent draw with Iceland gave them the consolation of second place, they cannot progress as one of the four runners-up with the best record against the teams first and third in their section. The third-placed finishers were Austria, who defeated Kazakhstan 11-0 with Billa scoring seven to equal the competition record for a single game, set in 2007/08 by Denmark's Pernille Harder against Armenia.