Another Qualifying Campaign over. The dream is over for Scotland fans. The Tartan Army won’t be cheering on the boys in Russia.
The game against Slovenia was an average performance from Scotland but wasn’t good enough for another chance at getting to the World Cup. The Scotland goal was a good shot by Leigh Griffths in the first half. The Slovenians came back scoring two goals in the space of 20 minutes. But Scotland came back at the 88th minute from a Robert Snondgrass goal, but that wasn’t enough for a win and a space on the qualifying round.
What happens now? Well Scotland are not going to Russia for the World Cup. Scotland will take a lot from this World Cup Campaign. One thing Scotland fans can do apart from complaining is look forward to the Euro Qualifing Campaign.
Things we learned from this campaign: Scotland can achieve big things and compete with bigger teams. We are able to score more often and concede less goals.
Our Qualifing Campaign:
We started of our campaign with a 5-1 win against Malta which was a good start. We then drew 1-1 at Hampden with Lithuania which wasn’t the best result. After that we had two 3-0 loses from Slovakia and England which let us down badly. In 2017 we started off by beating Slovenia 1-0 which brought the new year as a good start. Next up was our noisy neighbors England which we drew 2-2 , with an unfortunate last minute equalizer. Soon after that we had to play Lithuania, beating them 3-0 and in the same month beating Malta 2-0.
Our second last game was coming up we bet Slovakia 1-0, giving us a hope of world cup qualification.
The game was mostly possession, until there was two yellow cards one for Robert Mak and Marek Hamšík. Then five minutes later Robert Mak reccieved another yellow card and was sent off – leaving slovakia with 10 men. Scotland were unlucky twice in the first half from a couple of good saves from the keeper and the woodwork denying Scotland as well. Slovakia’s first half wasn’t really busy but they had a lot of defending to do, but managed some nice passing especially Marek Hamšík and Stanislav Lobotka, both making some quick one-twos but didn’t really get to anything.
The goalless first half was not what anyone supporting Scotland was wanting. The atmosphere at Hampden was still as good as ever. The teams came out for the second half. The Slovakians started the half the best going on an attack, winning a corner which came to nothing. A couple of attacks happened after another and at the 61st minute Scotland made a sub Chris Martin coming on for James Forest. Scotland had a lukcy couple of shots saved by the Slovaks keeper, especially Leigh Griffiths and Chris Martin’s shot being saved by the crossbar. The game continued until the 89th minute when Martin Skrtel put the ball in his own net. Six minutes later the referee Millard Magic blows his whistle.
How Close Were We: The difference between Scotland and Slovakia was 0 points in the end. But Slovakia had a goal difference of 10 and Scotland had a goal difference of 8.
This World Cup Qualifying Campaign was one of our best Qualifying Campaigns we had; winning 5, drawing 3 times and losing twice. Out of the whole Campaign the Tartan Army have been in full voice in every game home or away.
Here’s till next time.
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