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Post by andi on Sept 21, 2006 17:53:36 GMT 10
Scotland surge sees off FaroesScotland began their bid to reach UEFA EURO 2008™ in fine fashion as five first-half goals laid the foundation for an emphatic home victory against the Faroe Islands in their first Group B fixture. First-half flurryThe Faroese had suffered a 6-0 reverse at home to Georgia in their opening qualifier last month and were soon on the back foot in front of more than 50,000 spectators at Celtic Park as early strikes from Darren Fletcher and James McFadden put the hosts in control. Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller increased the advantage from the penalty spot before Boyd scored Scotland's fifth seven minutes before half-time and substitute Garry O'Connor rounded off a fine afternoon's work with a late sixth. Scottish salvoWalter Smith's side made a perfect start in Glasgow and took the lead as early as the seventh minute, Miller wriggling free down the left to cross low for Fletcher to touch in at the far post. Three minutes later Miller was again involved as the Scots took a stranglehold on proceedings, turning cleverly on the edge of the area and, although he was tackled, the ball broke perfectly for McFadden to curl a low left-foot effort into the corner. Penalty doubleThe match was effectively ended as a contest in the 24th minute when Óli Johannesen was adjudged to have brought down McFadden and Rangers FC attacker Boyd stepped up to beat Jákup Mikkelsen from the spot. The Faroese keeper was picking the ball out of his net again six minutes later after Atli Danielsen handled Fletcher's cross inside the box, giving Miller the chance to notch his first goal at this ground since joining Celtic FC in the summer. Boyd boostFletcher also contributed to Scotland's fifth in the 38th minute, his clever through-pass allowing Boyd to outwit Mikkelsen at the second attempt. After a number of missed opportunities in the second period, O'Connor finally added a sixth with five minutes remaining, slotting in McFadden's centre and ensuring his team travel to Lithuania for their second game on Wednesday in good heart. The Faroese are at home to the same opponents on 7 October. www.uefa.com/competitions/EURO/FixturesResults/Round=2241/Match=83965/index.html
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Post by andi on Sept 21, 2006 17:58:49 GMT 10
Dream start for impressive ScotsScotland made it two wins from their opening two UEFA EURO 2008™ Group B qualifiers as second-half goals from Christian Dailly and Kenny Miller secured an impressive away victory against Lithuania in Kaunas. Promising startLithuania, buoyed by their 1-1 draw in Italy at the weekend, started brightly and defender Tomas Zvirgzdauskas threatened to score when Dailly was forced to head his shot off the line, though Scotland showed their intent when Nigel Quashie forced a good save from Žydrunas Karčemarskas soon afterwards. After a tight first period where neither side could force the opener, the Scots needed only a minute of the second half to move in front when Dailly climbed high to meet Gary Naysmith's outswinging corner and nod powerfully past Karčemarskas. Miller thrillerLithuania had a glorious opportunity to level in the 57th minute after Scotland were too slow to clear their lines from a free-kick and the ball broke kindly for Robertas Poškus, but he lashed wildly at it with his left foot and blazed over when he should have hit the target. Scotland's influential front man Miller collected his second booking of the campaign - and will be suspended against France in October - but made his presence felt with the visitors' excellent second goal, latching on to a bouncing ball and controlling with his chest before blasting in on the volley. Poškus missPoškus was unlucky not to get more out of a difficult chance he created for himself by hooking a left-footed shot wide before Lithuania set up a barnstorming finish when substitute Darius Miceika pulled one back courtesy of a spectacular overhead kick with six minutes to play. However, the equaliser eluded the hosts and Scotland held on. www.uefa.com/competitions/EURO/FixturesResults/Round=2241/match=83967/index.html
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Post by andi on Sept 21, 2006 18:14:56 GMT 10
Scotland shining brightly againScotland's 2-1 victory in Lithuania last night has helped the country regain respect at international level according to manager Walter Smith. Perfect startThe Scots have made a perfect start to UEFA EURO 2008™ Group B qualifying with wins against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania, raising hopes of a first major finals appearance since the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. While Smith is keen to play down expectations in a group containing the combined might of Italy and France, he does believe Scotland are in a position to compete once again with the bigger nations. Respect due"I am not saying the likes of Italy and France are suddenly going to fear us, but I think they will definitely have to show us some respect," said Smith, after stretching Scotland's unbeaten away run to seven matches. "How far that can take us is the imponderable but I hope we are beginning to be respected again for what we have done over the last two years. We don't claim to be among the best teams in the world but I think we are starting to show we will give anyone a difficult match." 'Bitter disappointment'The only disappointment was the yellow card collected by Kenny Miller, which sidelines the Celtic FC striker, scorer of Scotland's vital second goal in Kaunas, for next month's encounter with Les Bleus at Hampden Park. "I knew as soon as I got the booking that I was going to miss the France game, which is a bitter blow," said Miller. "When there are games against the likes of France you want to play in them. I can't tell you how gutted I am. But it's been a perfect four days for us." Dailly delight Scotland's other marksman Christian Dailly, who earned his 63rd cap, summed up the renewed optimism among the players and the hugely supportive Tartan Army who travelled in large numbers to Lithuania. "That's seven away games and we are unbeaten – that is just brilliant," said the West Ham United FC utility man. "Walter has done a great job since he's come in. Everyone has total belief in him and the start we have made has given the whole country a lift." www.uefa.com/competitions/EURO/news/Kind=1/newsId=453819.html
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Post by andi on Sept 21, 2006 18:17:18 GMT 10
Hey guys wishing you all the best for the France match - you can do it! #saltire#
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Post by smudger on Sept 21, 2006 20:28:46 GMT 10
Aye i hope the lads do well and play to win #saltire# .
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Elly
Administrator
Posts: 29,887
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Post by Elly on Sept 21, 2006 20:30:54 GMT 10
go the boys in blue #saltire#
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Post by andi on Sept 21, 2006 20:33:16 GMT 10
They had a great start, pity we are not able to watch the matches over here.
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Post by smudger on Sept 23, 2006 7:00:08 GMT 10
Such positive playing and winning by the Scottish Football team is so long awaited by the fans , the last years were terrible with playing standards . Looks as though things are changing and the young players have the bite and grit of players such as Kenny Dalgleish from days of old . I wish the boys all the best ... #saltire#
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Post by andi on Sept 27, 2006 21:04:38 GMT 10
McFadden in race to face FranceScotland forward James McFadden is in danger of missing the early Group B leaders' home game against France next month as he is sidelined for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury. Strong startThe 23-year-old Everton FC player was injured during Scotland's 2-1 win in Lithuania last week which followed a 6-0 victory over the Faroe Islands. These results have left Walter Smith's side in pole position ahead of France's visit to Glasgow on 7 October. But McFadden, who has scored nine goals in 29 internationals, may be forced to sit out the match according to Everton physio Mick Rathbone. "The injury happened eight days ago. There is a small tear so he is going to be out for up to a month," Rathbone said. www.uefa.com/competitions/EURO/news/Kind=1/newsId=457162.html
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Post by campsie on Sept 29, 2006 18:49:44 GMT 10
whilst i admire what they have done its one hell of a transformation from herr bertie.lets not get to excited remember we are famous for shooting ourselves in the feet.
as a team they are playing well and getting a result we still have a long way to go.
AND NOW LETS BRING ON THE FROGS. and who can remember the last time the italians won the world cup it was something like 12/13 games before they won another game.so we could be in with a shout lets hope so
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Post by neil6147 on Sept 30, 2006 3:58:48 GMT 10
And speaking of the Scotland v France match on the 7th oct at Hampden Park Glasgow. Although I am not a football fan. I would to say the the Clann An Drumma who I also report on in the forum have been signed up to play before the match and possibly at Half Time. So all you football fans might just get the chance to see them play there first venue of the day. You have to remember that Clann An Drumma played at Murrayfield when Scotland beat England 18 . 12 So here is hoping they can lift the Scotland football team the same way the did with the Rugby team. Now was there not a song using 1812 as the title.
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Post by smudger on Sept 30, 2006 5:22:53 GMT 10
HI Neil i hope that Clann An Drumma spur the lads to play some good football and as you say campsie ..Bertie Vogts ..what a plonker !!! .
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