SCOTLAND: Goram, Burley, Boyd, Calderwood, McKinlay, McCall, Hendry, Collins, McAllister, Ferguson, McCoist (Durie 75).
AUSTRIA: Konsel, Schopp, Schottel, Pfeffer, Feiersinger, Marasek, Ramusch, Kuhbauer, Polster, Herzog, Heraf.
Referee: Blind Belgian (Belgium).
Match Report
Report prepared by Kenny Bell (from live TV coverage)
A satisfactory result, but a slightly disappointing performance and a pretty shite game. More punch on the break could have brought Scotland full points. Scotland started brightly enough in the two-thirds full stadium, but soon ran into trouble with the ref who consistently gave a free kick to the Ostriches every time Drunkín came within 40 yards of the ball: he was penalised at least 6 times in the first half hour. The big Ostrich centre-back simply backed into the inebriated one every time a high ball came across, and waited for the refís whistle. As Scotland had few other attacking ideas, the Ostriches began to assert themselves more and after about 15 minutes won a string of 4 corners on their right. These were served as dangerous near-post inswingers from Herzog with which the defence didnít look entirely comfortable, Drunkín and McAllister among others having to get back to clear. Uglymusch, looking dangerous, found space and once got a shot in bearing down the right towards the six yard box, but it didnít trouble Puff Candy.
After 25 minutes a tremendous cross from McAllister from a seemingly impossible boxed-in position near the corner flag nearly dropped over the keeper to Drunkín, but the keeper clutched it at the second attempt while the jailbird fluttered in attendance. In the first half Burley was well covered on the overlap, though after 30 minutes he did manage to get a shot on target under pressure at the edge of the box. McKinlay on the other side did his best but had to contend with both the ref and the difficulty of finding team-mates free. Ten minutes later McCoist turned in the middle just outside the area to deliver a drive which might have beaten the keeper, but took a deflection to pass narrowly wide for a corner.
The Ostriches took a couple of long shots but their targeting was woeful. They also had the habit of giving the ball up in midfield, which unfortunately Scotland soon began to imitate. Collins in particular lost the ball stupidly on several occasions in the first half. An Ostrich took a dive after 36 minutes looking for a penalty, but luckily the ref didnít buy it this time. He got pelters from Hendry and Calderwood for his troubles. Collins was floored by an appalling tackle from behind in the first half: no card.
In the second the Ostriches again moved forward in large numbers but on the few occasions they had a sight of goal, blootered high and wide. McAllister in 55 minutes and Drunkín in 59 were booked, the first for a tame tackle, the second for dissent when the ref yet again blew as the pigeon-fancier turned the defender, and looked to have got free on the wing. The Ostriches began to lose the ball moving upfield, but Scotland failed to capitalise on the opportunities for quick breaks, with poor passing and inadequate support. After about 70 minutes two Ostriches got clear through on Goram but the linesman flagged: the decision was marginal at best. Drunkín had two chances for headers, one right at the death, but couldnít get round the combination of fouling defender and idiot ref. At one point Burley (I think) found himself alone ahead of the defender about ten yards out as the ball bounced into the box but in trying to control the ball he allowed the defender in. During the last 15 minutes the Scots fans were heard more than the dissatisfied home support. Even so, more space was appearing in the Scots defence as time wore on.
Overall, the Ostriches were frankly poor and I feel that with a bit more imagination in attack we could have come out with a win. Our midfielders should be capable of rapidly and accurately passing out of defence when an opposition attack breaks up, and others should be quickly up in support. I canít help comparing how weak we are in this department with how effectively Rangers and, more recently, Celtic hit on the break. In the end, neither team created clear-cut chances, with the exception of the late Ostrich offside.
After the first half, with the wing backs making so little progress, Collins at least could have been pushed wider. Or perhaps - shock, horror - Scotland could play with wingers? The youngsters may still have a bit to go but the Juke box can play right wing, and he can cover the entire park with tireless hustling at the same time. He didnít get into the rhythm tonight in his 15 minutes though. Perhaps there is a lesson for Broon in the success of Walter Smithís risky three-up-front ploy against the Russkies. If we play this same set-up away v Latvia and Belarus we will again have trouble scoring, not to mention our home games. And we may well have to come from behind at some point - if Austria had scored I really donít see how weíd have got back in the game.
As regards individual performances, the defence held up well and McCall was busy enough in midfield, also making a couple of his trademark (and only just legal) sliding, scooping, saving tackles on the edge of the box. However, McAllister and Collins did not impose themselves enough. Boydís usual attacking flair was nowhere to be seen, and Drunkín couldnít get past the ref. I feel thereís something missing from the team, but perhaps this is just because Collins and McAllister were both off colour.
Sweden may well get a win in Vienna. Hereís hoping we donít regret attacking with more verve here if we find ourselves in second place and facing a play-off. Winning the group is the only definite way to qualify.
Final Suggestion: Dalgleish for Manager !