SERRAVALLE, SAN MARINO (REUTERS) - Scotland beat San Marino 2-0 to avoid a second humiliation of the week and get their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign up and running on Sunday (March 24) although it was hardly a performance to excite their fans.
Kenny McLean's glancing header put the Scots ahead after four minutes against the tiny republic in northern Italy but it was not until the 74th minute that Johnny Russell made the points safe with a powerful finish.
Scotland were lambasted for losing 3-0 to 117th-ranked Kazakhstan in their opening Group I fixture on Thursday (March 21).
San Marino, 211th and bottom of FIFA's rankings, have never won a competitive match and never looked like doing so against a Scotland side reeling from their abject display in Kazakhstan.
They did make things awkward though after falling behind early - so much so that there were groans of frustration from the Tartan Army inside the Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle.
Manager Alex McLeish was even booed at halftime.
"We spoke about bringing our quality to the game so it was a surprise to see passes going astray," McLeish said. "I think the result in Kazakhstan affected a few of them.
"Getting the second goal was important because San Marino felt they were still in the game and when they broke it put the frighteners up the fans a wee bit, and they got agitated.
"The fans were looking for five or six and we accept that." The introduction off the bench of James Forrest late on livened up the Scotland performance and it was his ball after a counter-attack that allowed Russell to make the scoreline just about respectable.
"We got off to a good start but it wasn't nice," said Norwich City's McLean, making his first start in a competitive game. "It was frustrating but we got the job done. We should have got more goals but it wasn't to be."
Sarri livid over Burnley insult LONDON • The Football Association will assess the referee Kevin Friend's match report from Stamford Bridge, before deciding whether to investigate claims lodged by Chelsea that Maurizio Sarri was repeatedly called "a s**t Italian" by members of Burnley's backroom staff.
Sarri livid over Burnley insult, Football News & Top Stories
Yuya Osako scored twice as Japan overcame a spirited Turkmenistan side 3-2 to claim three points in the AFC Asian Cup Group F opening match in Abu Dhabi. It was a brave performance by Turkmenistan
Opinion: Heavyweight Ryan Reaves-Adam McQuaid scrap a
allmysportsnews.com/nhl/opinion-heavyweight-ryan-reaves-adam-mcquaid-scrap-a-microcosm-of-nhl-fighting-debate/
Football: Osako double saves the day for Japan in 3-2 Asian Cup win over Turkmenistan »
Yuya Osako snatches shock victory for Japan in opposition to
tmssmagazine.com/yuya-osako-snatches-shock-victory-for-japan-in-opposition-to-10-man-colombia/
It is difficult to imagine a team making a more calamitous start to a game in this World Cup finals than Colombia did here and, unfortunately for José Pékerman and his players, there was another blow to come on top of being a goal and a man down inside a chaotic first six minutes.
Japan 1 - Ivory Coast 2 | Reuters.com
3 things to know after Liverpool's incredible Champions League win. Reds achieve what many thought was impossible by coming from 3 down to beat Barcelona
How the world reacted to Liverpool's win over Barcelona
Injuries open way for Sanchez and Lukaku to shine for United. By. AFP - February 26, 2019 7:37 PM. "They've been part of our training for a long time now," said Solskjaer.
Injuries open the way for Lukaku and Sanchez to shine for
PSG's first goal, the one that led to such a fractious reception thereafter, was created by Di Maria. It was from his corner on the right side, which he swung in with his left foot, that PSG profited.
Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Jurgen Klopp's side reached the halfway stage of the campaign with a 4-0 Boxing Day defeat of Newcastle United at Anfield, a result that moved the Reds six points clear at the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool can be the new 'Invincibles', says
BURNLEY: Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday.
Aguero inches Man City closer to title | eNCA
Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for choosing not to attend this month's ceremony where he was given the award, saying their decision was unfair to
Luka Modric wins Ballon d'Or 2018, breaks decade-long Ronaldo
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful that Anthony Martial will be available to face Wolves after the forward went off injured in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Watford. Martial found the net with a
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits 'feeling in dressing room like a
Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min told his South Korea team-mates "we're better than that" after they needed extra time to scrape past Bahrain's part-timers 2-1 in the Asian Cup last 16 on Tuesday.
Son 'unhappy' as Koreans given fright by Bahrain's part-timers
"I'm not happy to play the second role. That's why I said next year I will need to have a more important role to play in the team." When asked whether he has already had offers to go elsewhere, Giroud added: "Yes but I won't reveal that now. The priority is Chelsea.
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea next season
City inflict more pain on Man Utd to go back top. On Apr 25, 2019 8,193 5. cardiff city manchester united. Nightmare season finally over for United . english premier league Manchester City.
Man City inflict more pain on Man Utd to go back top - Daily
0 comments:
Post a Comment