Glasgow City Hero Lisa Evans to Replace Arsenal Star Julie Fleeting for Scotland
Glasgow City's 19-year-old star striker Lisa Evans has been called into the Scotland squad for their opening European qualifying group match against Israel at Ness Ziona on Wednesday as a replacement for 120-time capped Julie Fleeting.
The 31-year-old Fleeting, who has hit 116 goals in 120 international appearances, withdrew from the squad on Friday due to a calf injury and head coach Anna Signeul called up the uncapped 19-year-old Glasgow City attacker Evans, who scored three of her side's goals in the 4-1 aggregate win in the Champions League over Icelandic side Valur last Wednesday.
Eddie Wolecki Black has likened Evans style to that of the former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry telling the SFA, "Lisa's greatest asset is her lightning pace."
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"When she runs at defenders she just leaves them for dead. She works really hard on her finishing as well and when she's on a run of goals she's virtually unplayable. She's not like Julie, who's big and strong and plays through the middle, Lisa plays wide in our front three and I'd say her style's more like Thierry Henry than a central striker."
Scotland manager Anna Signeul aims to lead her side into what would be the nation's first major tournament.
After watching Israel's recent 5-0 defeat by the group favourites France in preparation for her own team's first qualifier, Signeul also told the SFA, "I had never seen Israel play before but I was impressed by their organisation and the technical skills of some of their players.
"It will be difficult on Wednesday, especially so because the kickoff is midday and we shall be playing in temperatures approaching 30 degrees. But it's important we get off to a good start and, if we are at our best, I believe we can win this game."
Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
