Scotland overcome challenge of minnows Liechtenstein
Scotland came close to an embarrassing result against Liechtenstein in their UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying clash at Hampden. However, defender Stephen McManus popped up deep into injury-time to nod home a corner, giving the hosts a 2-1 win and sending them to the top of Group I.
Mario Frick had put the visitors ahead right at the start of the second half with a strike from 16 yards before Kenny Miller restored parity when he struck home off the underside of the crossbar after 63 minutes of action.
Scotland national team coach Craig Levein had opted to field an attacking line-up after the cautious approach in the 0-0 draw with Lithuania. In need of three points against the team ranked 141st in the world by FIFA, Levein drafted in Middlesbrough’s Kris Boyd, who became the Scottish Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer during his spells at Kilmarnock and Rangers, and Birmingham City’s James McFadden to the side in place of Steven Naismith and Barry Robson.
Despite the home supporters hoping for a large scoreline in case the winner and runners-up of the group are decided on goal difference, it took 14 minutes before Scotland were able to create their first real chance. Boyd had been called offside and the Liechtenstein defence had been able to thwart any Scotland attacks in the early going, so it took a free-kick before Scotland had their first serious effort on goal. McFadden took responsibility for the set-piece and found Rangers’ Lee McCulloch, but the holding midfielder headed over the crossbar.
A few minutes later, captain Darren Fletcher — who won his landmark 50th cap for Scotland in the match — sent a hopeful long ball forward for Miller to latch on to, but Liechtenstein keeper Peter Jehle got to the ball first.
Boyd then had a optimistic effort from 30 yards, but was unable to find the target. The frontman then had an opportunity when Miller pinged in a cross, but Boyd was only able to head wide.
McFadden, who had been guilty of trying to do too much on his own, tried to weave his way past a string of defenders, but was unable to hold on to the ball. Scotland’s lack of creativity helped Liechtenstein grab a foothold in the game and they had a chance themselves before the break when Sandro Wieser hit a 20-yard shot, but he was only able to find the arms of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
After a disappointing 45 minutes, McFadden was taken off at half-time and replaced by West Bromwich Albion midfielder James Morrison. However, before long the hosts found themselves a goal behind.
McManus afforded too much space to Frick, who collected a cross inside the Scotland area and sent a curling ball into McGregor’s net.
Levein faced a further blow when left-back Lee Wallace took a knock and had to be replaced by Barry Robson who, almost immediately, had a strong penalty claim turned down as he jumped to meet the ball inside the Liechtenstein penalty area and was hit by Jehle’s hand.
Scotland came close to finding an equaliser when Fletcher’s volley was tipped over the bar by Jehle. However, just a few minutes later, the home side levelled. Robson’s cross was headed down by one of the visitors’ defenders into the path of Rangers striker Miller, who thumped the ball into the top corner to claim his first Scotland goal in over two years.
Levein’s men began to crank up the pressure on the away side who had to resort to heavy challenges to break down the Scotland attacks. However, central defender McManus was able to head home a Robson corner to give the Hampden crowd a sense of relief.
After the match, Levein opted to focus on the positives. He told reporters that: “I am not too interested in people wanting to highlight negative things. For me, we've got the points, they are in the bag, we are top of the group. And, from that point of view, I am a happy man. Why would I want to talk about something that could have been?"
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