Scotland 2 Iceland 1 – Match Day Report

Written by Scott on April 8th, 2009

1st April 2009, 20h00

Following the weekend defeat in the Netherlands, this match took on a ‘must win’ air if Scotland are to retain hopes of a play off and eventual qualification for the finals in South Africa in 2010. Only 3 points from this would do and if not, it would be looking very much like George Burley would be stepping closer and closer to the trap door!

The city centre was fairly quiet for a Scotland match – even for a midweek one! The usual TA pubs and drinking haunts were quite quiet and there were a few dishevelled and sorry looking footsoldiers who were clearly only recently back from their bender in Amsterdam! Nevertheless, there was still some clear tension among the fans as they ‘warmed up’ for the game.

The atmosphere at Hampden was quite tense as well and not only the issues of having to win helping along but also that Ferguson and McGregor were both on the bench following a disciplining from George Burley for their now infamous post-Netherlands all night drinking binge. It didn’t become apparent until after that match but the two players were pictured giving a V salute from the bench. It was a totally unprofessional and childish action, the result of which means that neither of them will play for Scotland again.

The match started with a fiery tempo with Scotland well on top and well in control of the game. The first 20 minutes were fast and furious and all the play was Scotland. However, the goal that looked so likely just didn’t come! The tempo eased off and the game went flat before McCormack of Cardiff City whacked home the opener. Breathe easy for a while.

However, the Icelanders got themselves right back into shortly it after half time. A shot from a ball that should have really been cleared came back off the post. No Scotland players were on hand to help clear it further and one of the first chances Iceland had in the match was immediately converted to a goal.

After that, the game was a bit flat until around 15 minutes later, Stephen Fletcher nodded in from the edge of the 6 yard box. Scotland had a couple more chances in the match but Iceland started to come back into it again. The last five minutes were certainly not for the faint hearted. Iceland could have scored three or four times – and should have. Final whistle halped prevent any more heart attacks.

The 3 points gained from this match are vital for Scotland in Group 9. It is still anybodies group for a second place and play off spot, although the other sides will still need to win their potential points in hand. The coming game against Norway is now very important. A Scotland win there would effectively neutralise their hopes but a win for Norway would bring them right back into it!

Three games left to get that second place and hopefully a play off. It has been a pretty poor display from Scotland so far in the campaign so lets hope Burley can get the side motivated and playing entertaining foorball for the rest of the group games!

This is a guest post from Scott, one of the thousands of Tartan Army footsoldiers who traveled to Glasgow fo the game.

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