Scotland responded to their dreadful Euro 2020 qualifying defeat at Kazakhstan with a 2-0 win at lowly San Marino.
Alex McLeish’s men were dispatched 3-0 in Astana on Thursday, leading to Craig Burley telling talkSPORT that the manager should never have come back in the first place.
3
The result will do little to ease the pressure on McLeish
And while the latest match will do little to ease the pressure McLeish, Scotland did get the all-important result thanks to goals from Kenny McLean and Johnny Russell.
Many of the near 3,000 visiting fans therefore vented their disapproval towards the Scottish Football Association board, even after the second goal.
Skipper Andy Robertson admitted on the eve of the match that Scotland could only make a small start to atoning for Thursday’s loss but they barely did that.
3
Captain Robertson returned for the San Marino game
The opening defeat looked even worse when Group I rivals Russia won 4-0 in Kazakhstan before kick-off in San Marino and ending the first two games against the two lowest-ranked teams on minus goal difference is a major setback, especially given Cyprus put five past San Marino.
The omens for a resounding win were not good. Scotland had only won 2-0 on each of their three visits to San Marino, twice on their way to reaching the European Championship finals in the 1990s.
McLeish made six changes and a bold choice in his central striking role in Cardiff’s Callum Paterson – a midfielder for his club and a right-back for his country in the November wins over Albania and Israel.
Paterson and Bournemouth wide player Ryan Fraser were back in after being allowed to miss the opening qualifier under an agreement with their clubs over concerns about the artificial surface, while Robertson returned after dental surgery.
Right-back Stephen O’Donnell also came in along with Russell and McLean, with James Forrest among the players dropped.
Scotland started with verve and McLean came close with a fierce 20-yard volley before glancing home Fraser’s cross and settling the nerves.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
But there was no lift-off as the tempo gradually tailed off. Russell was twice off target with half-chances before teeing up Stuart Armstrong in the 20th minute but Ella Benedettini produced an impressive double stop.
Slackness remained evident in the visitors’ play and there was a scare on the half-hour mark when Jose Hirsch got in between Scotland’s centre-backs and went round Scott Bain, but he shot into the side netting from a difficult angle.
Paterson went off injured after landing awkwardly as he had a header theatrically saved and Marc McNulty eventually took his place.
There was a lack of quality about Scotland’s final ball, evidenced by Russell and Fraser wasting free-kicks and the latter crossing straight out of the park, before the half-time whistle was met by a few boos.
There was another scare just after the restart when Filippo Berardi went down in the box under the close attention of Scott McKenna but the referee was unimpressed.
McNulty had a shot deflected wide and McKenna glanced a header just past but Scotland were labouring and the introduction of Scott McTominay for Callum McGregor did little to change things.
Forrest replaced Armstrong in the 71st minute and soon set up Russell on the break to net from close range, with McNulty assisting matters by setting the Celtic winger free and leaving his low cross.
3
Russell’s 74th-minute strike sealed the win for Scotland
McNulty had good chances to add to the lead but headed Forrest’s cross wide from six yards and then saw his attempted lob diverted over.
The final whistle was met with a few jeers but more applause from the travelling fans.
Leroy Sane escapes serious injury in Germany's draw with Serbia The Manchester City winger was caught on the ankle late in the 1-1 draw in Wolfsburg. "It was a vicious foul. Sane was lucky
Leroy Sane escapes serious injury in Germany's draw with
If Europe's top selling clubs had held onto their Star Players coffeewithcantona Football , Sport January 23, 2018 February 17, 2018 14 Minutes Over the years many of Europe's top clubs have opted to sell their precocious young talents in big money transfers that seek to boost their club's financial standing.
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Benfica: Portuguese champions come from
Arsenal could name several academy stars on the bench for their Europa League final against Chelsea on Wednesday. New UEFA regulations mean both clubs will be able to name 12 substitutes for the Baku showpiece, as opposed to seven in the earlier stages of the tournament.
The Gunners academy players who could be on the bench for
fussboll.com/2019/05/28/the-gunners-academy-players-who-could-be-on-the-bench-for-europa-league-final-in-baku/
Arsenal could name several academy stars on the bench for their Europa League final against Chelsea on Wednesday. New UEFA regulations mean both clubs will be able to name 12 substitutes for the Baku showpiece, as opposed to seven in the earlier stages of the tournament.
Chelsea vs Arsenal: The Gunners academy players who could be
FPL TIME Who are your transfer options ahead of another […] Transfer advice for Gameweek 35, including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham aces - Fussboll Home
Fantasy Premier League tips: Transfer advice for Gameweek 34
Wayne Rooney scores sensational free kick to give Manchester United fans serious nostalgia. The training ground strike is almost identical to the one he scored against Stoke City to break Sir
Wayne Rooney scores sensational free kick to give Manchester
The alleged incident is said to have taken place in the tunnel at Oakwell. Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton says he "emphatically" denies allegations he assaulted Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel.
Joey Barton: Fleetwood Town boss 'emphatically' denies
hollywoodadviser.com/joey-barton-fleetwood-town-boss-emphatically-denies-assaulting-barnsley-boss-daniel-stendel/
Tykes striker Cauley Woodrow tweeted that Barton allegedly confronted Reds manager Daniel Stendel after the game. Joey Barton is alleged to have assaulted Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel With regards to the alleged incident on Saturday following our game against Barnsley, I emphatically deny all the allegations made.
Fleetwood manager Joey Barton 'emphatically denies' assault
Report Ad
Finding the best price for your journey is easy with Trainline.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was keeping tight-lipped over whether Harry Kane would start the Champions League final.. Kane has not played since the quarter-final first leg against Manchester City in early April when he suffered a "significant" ankle ligament injury.
Sunderland 1-0 Portsmouth: Chris Maguire's goal gives Black Cats advantage in first leg of Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final. Chris Maguire's excellent volley gave 10-man Sunderland a 1-0
Chris Maguire's rocket gives Sunderland the play-off edge
Rafa Benitez drops hint that he could be prepared to stay at Newcastle United beyond 2018. Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez yet to be offered a new deal but with big jobs being touted he remains
Rafa Benitez will fight to prevent Newcastle star quitting St
Leonardo Bonucci and Moise Kean have trained together for the first time since the Juventus defender suggested his team-mate was partly to blame for racist abuse in their win over Cagliari.
Huddersfield Town have equalled the earliest ever relegation in Premier League history following Crystal Palace's 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. The Terriers' defeat couple
Crystal Palace 2-0 Huddersfield: Terriers' relegation
~ Arsenal news: Olivier Giroud appears to mock former club after Chelsea Europa League win and Piers Morgan is not happy ~ Kenya Latest
Arsenal news: Olivier Giroud appears to mock former club
Bolivian referee dies after collapsing during match A referee has died in hospital after collapsing during a match played at high altitude. Myjoyonline 15 hours ago: Victor Hugo Hurtado: Bolivian referee dies after suffering heart attack at world's highest stadium A referee has died after collapsing during a football match played at the world
Victor Hugo Hurtado: Bolivian referee dies after suffering
No comments:
Post a Comment