International News: 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Update

A round-up of the closing stages of qualifying for Canada 2015. The United States lead the CONCACAF entrants ahead of Costa Rica and Mexico, African champions Nigeria are joined by Cameroon and Ivory Coast, and New Zealand again take the Oceania place. For the home nations the news is bleak: Scotland lose 4-1 on aggregate to the Netherlands in their play-off semi-final, with pictures capturing Jane Ross under pressure in the 2-1 home defeat and captain Gemma Fay dejected in Rotterdam, after Ross, Hayley Lauder and Kim Little had been honoured for reaching 75, 50 and 100 caps. Italy edge past Ukraine to set up a decider with the Dutch. France and Korea Republic lodge bids to host the 2019 finals, and the Canada draw is set for 6 December in Ottawa.