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Scots flushed with success for second play off with Netherlands
Dumbarton, Nov 18: Scotland prepare for the second leg of their Euro 2004 play-off against the Netherlands.
Dumbarton, Nov 18: Scotland prepare for the second leg of their Euro 2004 play-off against the Netherlands.
The Scotland soccer team flew off to Amsterdam on Monday (November 17) holding a surprise 1-0 lead over the Netherlands from the first leg of their Euro 2004 playoff.
Everton winger James McFadden's 22nd minute strike clinched victory at Hampden Park on Saturday (November 15) in their first competitive success against the Dutch since the 1978 World Cup finals.
The Scots rode their luck in the match -- Dutch forward Andy van der Meyde struck the bar, a Frank de Boer header was blocked on the line and goalkeeper Robert Douglas made a number of fine saves.
"We were very fortunate in the game yesterday, and we know that," said Scotland's assistant coach Tommy Burns.
"Then we had a lot of luck in the game, and we know that also. But our players gave everything they could in the game, physically pressing, chasing, competing, all the things that Scotland can do well. We cannot compete at the same level technically as the Dutch, we know that."
A lot of the credit for the victory went to 23-year-old Scottish defender Lee Wilkie. The Dundee player managed to prevent Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy from scoring, but knows that his and Scotland's task will be even more difficult in Wednesday's (November 19) second leg.
"I think, the first half we went out and we attacked quite well," he said. "We still had a few chances the second half but they were mainly from breakaways. I think if we go across there we need to look at that in a different way. I mean, it's going to be difficult across there, I can't see us defending the way we did for the whole of the second half."
Scotland's fortunes in the Euro 2004 qualification have risen dramatically since they were held to a 2-2 draw by the Faroe Islands in their opening match a little over a year ago and now, under the guidance of coach Berti Vogts and Burns, are now close to qualifying for their first European Championship finals since 1996.
"I think the one good thing after the game is that you suddenly realise you've beaten a team like Holland, and that can only be good for their confidence," said Burns. "The younger players, even the older guys, it's been a long time since we've beaten a team of that stature but bearing in mind it's only halfway, we've still got to go there and that's the important one, we know.
"I think what we've done is given ourselves a chance. I think that was always the main objective, not to be dead and buried when we go there. All credit to the players, I think they've played certainly above themselves, every player gave every ounce and a little bit more and that's what we hope for, so we've done that, and if we can go and do the same again on Wednesday, who knows what might happen.”
Bureau Report
"Then we had a lot of luck in the game, and we know that also. But our players gave everything they could in the game, physically pressing, chasing, competing, all the things that Scotland can do well. We cannot compete at the same level technically as the Dutch, we know that."
A lot of the credit for the victory went to 23-year-old Scottish defender Lee Wilkie. The Dundee player managed to prevent Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy from scoring, but knows that his and Scotland's task will be even more difficult in Wednesday's (November 19) second leg.
"I think, the first half we went out and we attacked quite well," he said. "We still had a few chances the second half but they were mainly from breakaways. I think if we go across there we need to look at that in a different way. I mean, it's going to be difficult across there, I can't see us defending the way we did for the whole of the second half."
Scotland's fortunes in the Euro 2004 qualification have risen dramatically since they were held to a 2-2 draw by the Faroe Islands in their opening match a little over a year ago and now, under the guidance of coach Berti Vogts and Burns, are now close to qualifying for their first European Championship finals since 1996.
"I think the one good thing after the game is that you suddenly realise you've beaten a team like Holland, and that can only be good for their confidence," said Burns. "The younger players, even the older guys, it's been a long time since we've beaten a team of that stature but bearing in mind it's only halfway, we've still got to go there and that's the important one, we know.
"I think what we've done is given ourselves a chance. I think that was always the main objective, not to be dead and buried when we go there. All credit to the players, I think they've played certainly above themselves, every player gave every ounce and a little bit more and that's what we hope for, so we've done that, and if we can go and do the same again on Wednesday, who knows what might happen.”
Bureau Report