ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (AFP) - Alex McLeish refused to quit as Scotland manager after their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign got off to a "horrible" start with a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Kazakhstan on Thursday (March 21).
The Kazakhs, ranked 117th in the world, struck twice inside 10 minutes through Yuriy Pertsukh and Yan Vorogovskiy to leave an under-strength Scotland shell-shocked in the Group I clash in Nursultan.
McLeish's men secured the safety net of a playoff to qualify via the Nations League in November and already that looks like their only realistic route to a first major tournament in 22 years as Baktiyor Zainutdinov's terrific header made it 3-0 six minutes into the second half.
It was one of the most embarrassing results in Scotland's history and McLeish admitted his players had paid the price for their woeful start.
"It was horrible. They hit us with two blockbusters," McLeish said. "It was disappointing not to see a great reaction from that.
"At half-time we tried to change it a wee bit to see if we could unsettle Kazakhstan, but they were very sharp on the night.
"It's a sore one. The facts are that we were beaten by a team ranked lower than us.
"On paper, we should win but I think you have to give Kazakhstan a bit of credit for the way they played." Scotland have a painful history of falling victim to shock results against the game's minnows, but Kazakhstan are the lowest ranked nation to beat Scotland.
In terms of the misery inflicted only a 1-0 defeat against Lithuania in a European Championship qualifier in 2003 and a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in the 1990 World Cup compare to the Kazakhstan shocker.
A draw against the Faroe Islands in 2002 was another low point, as were the 1978 World Cup draw with Iran and a 4-0 thrashing by Norway in 2009.
McLeish to battle on
When it was put to McLeish that it could be enough to cost him his job, the former Rangers boss vowed to fight on.
"I'll just continue doing my job and suffice it to say I'm not going to get drawn into that question," he said.
"It possibly puts more pressure on me. We have introduced a few new names over the last year or so and it can take time, but I know we don't have time." Asked if the loss was the worst of his career, McLeish added: "I don't really rank defeats. I just feel in terms of losing then I have to bounce back.
"I always feel low after a defeat but I'm pretty good at bouncing back." Without captain Andy Robertson and the highly-rated Kieran Tierney, McLeish was forced to name Graeme Shinnie in an unfamiliar role at left-back, and the Aberdeen skipper was exposed for both the first two goals.
Scotland looked longingly for an offside flag that never came as Pertsukh ran onto a long ball over the top and fired high past the helpless Scott Bain.
The visitors never recovered and Shinnie was caught ball-watching as Vorogovskiy was picked out by Islambek Kuat's pass to slot past Bain again.
Kazakhstan scored just six goals and failed to win a game in their entire qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup.
However, they had half that goal tally and the three points sewn up before the hour mark when Scott McKenna was outjumped by Zainutdinov, who directed his header across Bain into the bottom corner.
Scotland were also without Ryan Fraser and Charlie Mulgrew, who were not selected in agreement with their clubs due to the plastic surface the match was played on.
Bouncing back with victory away to San Marino on Sunday (March 24) is now imperative for Scotland to have any chance of automatic qualification from Group I by finishing in the top two.
But with Russia and World Cup semi-finalists Belgium also in the six-team group, Scotland already have a mountain to climb.
"Messi is a one-club man," Bartomeu added. "It's more than what he does on the pitch, his relationship with Barca will last forever. "I use the example of Pele, who was always at Santos. We want Messi to always be at Barca, whether that's playing on the pitch or being linked to the club (after he retires)."
Barcelona president Bartomeu wants to keep Messi with club
Portland, United Kingdom - A body recovered from the submerged wreckage of a plane that went down in the English Channel more than two weeks ago has been identified as that of footballer Emiliano
Body in Channel wreckage identified as footballer Sala
The captains return to Dutch Harbor days before the opening of king crab season. As they prepare their boats and their crews to battle the Bering Sea, they must also face each other to settle unfinished business from the past season.
Captain's unfinished business, Football News & Top Stories
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini said he was "ashamed" of his team after League One strugglers AFC Wimbledon delivered an FA Cup fourth-round shock to his Hammers in a gripping tie in south-west
Soccer: AFC Wimbledon humble West Ham in FA Cup shock
We like to believe that having a huge cushion of savings, or a locked-in job, will ensure us an easy experience, but that's not necessarily true. Sometimes, it's the luck of the draw, and we're "meant" to experience some challenges. Sometimes we're meant, when we take the leap, not to fall but to fly.And sometimes maybe it's both.
5 Tips for Starting a Business Abroad - Entrepreneur
Nov 29, 2018 · Pochettino says Spurs can beat Barcelona and make knockout round This article is more than 5 months old • Champions League win over Inter gives Tottenham belief
Champions League final: 'Liverpool have more weapons than
City will pounce if Liverpool slip up: Guardiola, Football
Ole Gunnar Solskjær admits #MUFC were nowhere near their best despite beating Watford today. Ole Gunnar Solskjær admits #MUFC were nowhere near their best despite beating Watford today. More
Unted Vs Watford | Solskjaer Begins Reign With A Win Against
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row West Ham's Robert Snodgrass in action with Fulham's Aboubakar Kamara. West Ham added to Fulham's Premier League woes on Saturday at Craven Cottage, beating their cross-London rivals 2-0 with goals from Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio.
Soccer: West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row
Neymar to miss Manchester United tie in Champions League after being ruled out for 10 weeks. Stay up to date on all the latest Football news with The New Indian Express App. Download now
Neymar to Miss Man Utd Tie After Being Ruled Out for 10 Weeks
It was not a good display from Real Madrid against Huesca, but what counts are the three points and Real done their job on Sunday. That's what Santiago Solari clung t
Real Madrid news: Santiago Solari says referee was right to
Thomas Muller issues emotional response following brutal Germany axe. The Bayern Munich forward was dropped by coach Joachim Loew, along with his clubmates Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng
'Angry' Mueller questions Loew decision after Germany axe
The Premier League has released a statement in which they state unanimous opposition to proposed changes to the structure of both the Champions League and Europa League. UEFA officials are said to
Premier League Clubs 'Strongly Opposed' to Proposed UEFA
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 23, 2019, with the headline 'Fit-again Kane ready to make 'massive impact''. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Fit-again Kane ready to make 'massive impact'
Reds get back fear factor, says Van Dijk AFP. The Anfield side fell behind domestic and European rivals but Tuesday's remarkable 4-3 aggregate win over Barcelona secured back-to-back Champions
Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk warns Reds of Huddersfield
0 comments:
Post a Comment