Megan devastated by playoff defeat

Oct 31 2012 by George Johnston, East Kilbride News

Megan Sneddon says Scotland womens play-off defeat in the European Championship feels like theres been a death in the family.

The brave Scots were seconds away from a historic result in Madrid as they took Spain to extra-time for a place in next years finals in Sweden.

But the last kick of the ball sent Scotland crashing last Wednesday evening four years after the Scots missed out on the last Euros on away goals to Russia.

And 26-year-old Megan, from Greenhills, admits this latest defeat is her worst moment in football.

She told the News: I know its been nearly a week since the game but its still pretty raw.

Initially it didnt feel as bad as the time Russia put us out, but when I woke up the next day and it really sunk in I was so gutted.

Its ridiculous to say it but it felt like there had been a death in the family or something.

There were tears shed from the girls right after the game and theres still tears now when some of us think about it.

The last week or so has been so emotionally and physically draining and I just cant believe we arent through.

Its definitely my worst moment in football Ive never felt this bad after a game.

After drawing the first leg 1-1 at Hampden, the return tie finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and the game was forced into extra-time. Eight minutes into the first additional period, Kim Little gave the Scots the lead and her goal meant the Spanairds had to score twice to go through.

The hosts made it 2-2 with seven minutes remaining but the Scots were still going through on away goals only for their hopes to be cruelly crushed with the last kick of the ball.

Spains Vero scored the dramatic winner two minutes into stoppage time, just moments after Scotland keeper Gemma Fay had saved a penalty to keep one foot in the finals.

It was a real sickener for the Scots who fought valiantly against a team ranked five places above them in the world rankings, but Megan admitted her side may have taken their progression for granted when they went 2-1 up.

We really believed before the game that we would go through, said Megan. And when we went 2-1 up and knew they had to score two in a short time, I think we thought it was in the bag.

And when Gemma made an amazing save at the penalty, I thought it was destiny for us to go through, that it was our time at last.

We were rubbing our hands together with less than ten minutes to go and we ended up totally gutted.

To be that close to making our first-ever major finals and have that dream snatched away at the very last moment will take a while to get over.

Megan now has to turn her thoughts to domestic duties as she gears up for Celtics final game of the season.

The Parkhead side are second behind champions Glasgow City, who lifted the trophy at the weekend.

But Sundays big game with Hibs will decide who finishes second with both teams locked on 42 points although Celtic have a superior goal difference of eight.