Award-winner Hamill makes Scotland pledge
Tuesday 16 June 2009
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Pauline Hamill celebrates scoring against Russia (©SFA)
Pauline Hamill has pledged herself to Scotland's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign after being named International Player of the Year at the Scottish Football Association's inaugural Women's Football Awards.
Play-off run
Hamill played a key role in Scotland's run to the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifying play-offs, where she scored twice in the first-leg home 3-2 defeat by Russia, and struck again in the 2-1 victory in the return as Anna Signeul's side missed out on the finals on away goals. The first Scotland woman to reach 100 caps in 2007, she has now scored 26 goals in 122 appearances and was delighted by her award.
'Amazing achievement'
"I am absolutely stunned," she said. "This caps off what has been a truly amazing year for me with the Scotland team. Reaching the play-offs of the European Championships was an amazing achievement for everyone involved. To then come so close to qualifying for a major championship in some ways was a huge blow because we worked so hard. But looking back now we must learn from the whole experience and continue to move forward."
World Cup bid
Scotland begin their World Cup qualifying bid in Greece on 24 October, with Georgia, Bulgaria and top seeds Denmark also lining up in Group 3 – and Hamill, 37, intends to play her part. "People ask me about how long I'll continue to play, but for me I just love my football and to be honest I will play until the last time I'm picked," said the Celtic LFC striker, who has scored in both of Scotland's friendlies in 2009 – a 4-1 home loss by Italy and a 3-1 defeat of Northern Ireland in which Hamill registered twice.
Signeul hopeful
Signeul, about to start her third qualifying campaign since taking over the squad in 2005, is confident that Scotland can continue to improve. "From what I can see since I came to Scotland we have made huge strides at domestic and international level, and we will continue to work hard together to develop the game further. We are aware of the success had by the 'A' squad in reaching the play-offs of a major championship for the first time in our history and I have every confidence that we can go one better in the future. But I have also spent time watching a lot of domestic football and senior and youth level this season and I'm really impressed by the standard of football being played out there."
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