Scotland stepped up their preparations for the World Cup with defeat in opposition to Japan in a pleasant.
Thomas Tuchel’s England will face Japan on Tuesday, and the German dealt a blow to Harry Maguire’s hopes of constructing the ultimate World Cup squad.
Derby day within the Ladies’s Tremendous League noticed victories for Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Boos for Scotland in Japan loss
Junya Ito’s late aim gave Japan a 1-0 win over Scotland in Steve Clarke’s facet’s first 2026 World Cup warm-up recreation.
Clarke’s gamers left the Hampden Park pitch to euphoric scenes in November after their dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark certified them for the finals in North America however their return to the nationwide stadium was a way more sedate occasion.
Each side hit the aim body within the first half however Hajime Moriyasu’s facet created extra alternatives after the break and substitute Ito shot previous keeper Angus Gunn within the 84th minute to interrupt the impasse and go away Scotland winless in 4 conferences in opposition to Japan.
Clarke revealed his shock and disappointment after listening to some boos from the Tartan Military, saying: “It’s simply the trendy method, it appears to be now should you lose a recreation you get booed. You’ve got simply acquired to take care of it. It disappoints me.”
Harry Maguire down pecking order – Thomas Tuchel
England boss Tuchel has appeared to ship an enormous blow to Maguire’s World Cup probabilities by insisting he’s nonetheless a minimum of the fifth-choice centre-back.
Maguire regarded to have strengthened his case for being on the aircraft to North America in the summertime as he delivered a commanding efficiency on his return to the nationwide staff set-up in Friday’s 1-1 pleasant draw with Uruguay.
“I acquired precisely what I believed, stable, stable central defender play,” mentioned Tuchel. “That’s what he does. Excellent on the ball, very calm, sturdy within the air and (as a) weapon for set-pieces.
“I haven’t modified my thoughts however I see different gamers I like to start out for us, I see different gamers forward with a unique profile.
“I see Ezri Konsa forward, I see Marc Guehi forward. It’s no secret. I see Trevoh Chalobah on the extent of mobility was barely forward of him. Additionally John Stones, however he had accidents, so he wanted to come back to camp.”
Metropolis dominate derby
Vivianne Miedema scored twice as Manchester Metropolis took one other step in the direction of the WSL title with a dominant 3-0 win over Manchester United at Previous Trafford.
The Netherlands striker bagged a three-minute brace contained in the opening 20 minutes earlier than Kerstin Casparij swept in a 3rd early initially of the second half.
Alessia Russo’s first Arsenal hat-trick propelled the Gunners to a 5-2 north London derby victory over Tottenham on the Emirates Stadium as they moved as much as second place.
The England striker opened the scoring with a fifth-minute header and accomplished her hat-trick lower than 22 minutes later.
Ceri Holland’s brace helped 10-woman Liverpool declare Merseyside bragging rights with a 3-2 win over Everton.
Sean Dyche laughs off Spurs discuss
Sean Dyche has quashed rumours he’s in talks with Tottenham however described the relegation-threatened staff as a “good membership” amid hypothesis over Igor Tudor’s place.
Spurs are with no fixture till April 12 however a run of 5 defeats in seven matches underneath interim head coach Tudor has positioned his job at menace.
Tudor is at present coping with the dying of his father Mario however Dyche has been named by bookmakers as one of many main contenders to take over if Tottenham had been to make a change, and the looks of the previous Burnley boss in a London pub on Friday sparked curiosity on social media.
Nevertheless, throughout an look on talkSPORT, Dyche mentioned whereas laughing: “Ah, it’s good, actually.
“I used to be within the pub simply up the way in which close to my place, I’ve acquired down right here and this man goes, ‘ah, you’re meant to be in talks with Spurs tonight?’ And I say, ‘I’m sat subsequent to you having a pint of Guinness, so it’s unlikely – except you’re employed for Spurs!’”
What’s on at present?
Chelsea can climb to second within the Ladies’s Tremendous League desk behind Manchester Metropolis with victory over Aston Villa whereas West Ham face London Metropolis Lionesses and Leicester play Brighton.
