[ad_1]
Scotland has no justification for complaining about the inconvenient complications of the League of Nations.
Last week’s penalty shootout victory over Israel, a result of this much-disputed competition, has led the Scots to a game against Serbia in a first major tournament since 1998. When Slovakia visited Hampden Park, Scotland had the right to enjoy the challenge of strengthening your position at the top of your latest section of the Nations League. They did just that, thus extending an unbeaten streak to seven games.
It would be a great exaggeration and a distortion of history to suggest that Scotland may head to Belgrade next month with anticipation. There a position will be determined at Euro 2020. Still, there are now signs of steady progress. Whisper, but part of Scotland’s game in the second half of Slovakia’s visit was very impressive. His victory was deserved.
“It was a game that we pretty much controlled from start to finish,” Scotland coach Steve Clarke said. “I always felt comfortable.”
Clarke doesn’t seem like the type of person to indulge in euphoric celebration. It was no surprise, then, to hear the manager confirm that his thoughts had turned to Slovakia immediately after the grueling success over Israel.
Scotland made four changes to their starting XI, which included the debut of 33-year-old Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine. Slovakia’s Thursday night had been similar to that of the Scots, involving a penalty shootout victory over the Republic of Ireland, but what happened next was more dramatic on the score sheet. Pavel Hapal traded nine starters but, disappointingly for Clarke, he retained evergreen Marek Hamsik.
A generally forgettable first half hour was notable only for an injury to Slovakia’s Matus Bero, who received a long period of treatment before being carried into the tunnel, and a good defensive recovery from Scott McTominay. The Manchester United player, initially misled by Hamsik’s tremendous pass to Lukas Haraslin, regained his composure enough to deny his opponent a shot on goal.
Midfielder Martin Odegaard prepared Erling Haaland for two of his three goals and Norway beat Romania 4-0 in Oslo to top Group B1 with six points, two ahead of the Romanians. The Borussia Dortmund forward has already scored six goals in as many games for his country.
There were no goals in Group A1 as the Netherlands took Bosnia-Herzegovina, while Poland and Italy could not find the back of the net. “Something that affected us a bit was that the field was in very bad condition,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said. “It’s not an excuse, but it was terrible. This penalizes higher quality players, as the ball bounces irregularly. The team played well, we created chances but we didn’t score, it happens. “
Croatia celebrated their first Nations League victory after a late goal by substitute Andrej Kramaric gave them a 2-1 home win over Sweden. The other group match ended goalless as France and Portugal drew.
An own goal by Runar Mar Sigurjonsson and superb goals by Christian Eriksen and Robert Skov gave Denmark a well-deserved 3-0 win over Iceland in Group A2.
Group B3 leaders Russia drew 1-1 at home to Turkey, and Hungary made the most of that result by beating Serbia 1-0 to move to second place with six points, one behind the leaders.
In what bore a sinister resemblance to Israel’s game, Scotland were struggling to make their way anywhere near the visiting goal. When a sighting appeared, Ryan Fraser kicked a 25-yard free throw against the defensive wall. This pretty much summed up the early period of Scotland. Slovakia, although quite in possession, was equally forceful.
Football has a strange habit of shooting goals that are not at all consistent with what happened before. That’s what he proved, as a crisp move from Scotland delivered a second international hit for Lyndon Dykes. Ryan Fraser paired well with Stephen O’Donnell, whose splintered cross found a perfectly timed Dykes run. The Queens Park Rangers forward, who this year only formally chose Scotland over his country of birth Australia, achieved a first shot from close range. Admittedly, this was a just reward for a more adventurous start in the second. half by the hosts.
Oli McBurnie, looking for an opening goal for Scotland, moved closer to the width of the crossbar to double his team’s lead. Fraser, clearly reveling in playing time after a long recent stint in the club’s cold storage, brilliantly groomed the Sheffield United player with a delicious set of wings. The wait for McBurnie continues, but it’s not out of wanting to try.
Warning and substitutions slowed the flow of the final 45 minutes, but David Marshall on the home goal was hardly affected. Scotland’s three-man defense is shaping up to be a timely success story. With Fraser becoming more effective, Clarke’s men offered elements of threat that were not apparent before in the game.
If the Czech Republic, which has been beset by Covid-related issues, can be fired in Glasgow on Wednesday, thus completing a highly profitable international window for Clarke, the Serbian challenge will not seem as daunting as many were originally happy. predict. “We don’t wait for next month,” Clarke insisted. “The focus is on getting as many points as we can in this section.” At full steam, finally, on multiple fronts.
