Most of Scotland's eyes will today be on their crucial World Cup Qualifying match against 6th placed side, Moldova, in a game which could see Scotland confirm their spot in the World Cup Qualifying Play-offs. (A game in which Scotland confirmed their spot in the World Cup Play-offs with a 2-0 win away to Moldova). As for me, I will be in Tannadice Park, Home of Dundee United, as Scotland's Under 21 side face off against Kazakhstan's Under 21 squad in match-day 3 of the UEFA Under-21 European Championships Qualifying campaign. Currently the Young Scots sit 4th in their qualifying group after a 1-1 draw against Turkey in the first game, and a 1-0 loss to top seeds Denmark last time out. Meanwhile Kazakhstan sit 5th having lost both of their previous games. Kazakhstan will be the first of 2 opponents the youngsters will face at Tannadice over the next 4 days, with the other being Belgium on Tuesday 16th November. As for today's team news:- Starting XI - 21 - Archie Mair 2 - Harrison Ashby 3 - Josh Doig 4 - Lewis Mayo 5 - Stephen Welsh 8 - Lewis Fiorini 10 - Marc Leonard 11 - Glenn Middleton 14 - Stephen Kelly 15 - Scott High 16 - Dapo Mebude Subsitutes - 1 - Cierran Slicker 6 - Thomas Clayton 7 - Scott Banks 9 - Aaron Pressley 17 - Adam Montgomery 18 - Jack Burroughs 19 - Ben Williamson 20 - Elliot Anderson 23 - Kai Kennedy Goals from Lewis Fiorini and Glenn Middleton secure the win for Scotland, after a nervy end to the game. First Half - Scotland get us underway at Tannadice with pressure put on the Kazakhstanis straight away with three attempted crosses from Dapo Mebude blocked by the Kazakhstan defence, the ball soon drops to Harrison Ashby who is brought down in the box prompting penalty calls, which were soon denied. Kazakhstan's first chance of the game, came not long later when Seidakhmet crossed in from a corner which met the head of Abylaikhan Zhumabek, who headed narrowly wide of the post. Scotland's first, of many, free-kick of the game was taken by Harrison Ashby whose ball into the box didn't manage to reach anyone and spun out for a goal kick. Just short of the 20 minute mark, Glenn Middleton forced Kazakhstan goalkeeper, Ustimenko, into a diving save when the St Johnstone winger struck from the right side of the box. This then sparked the bombardment of shots for the Young Scots with Dapo Mebude playing Lewis Fiorini in behind the defence, whose shot was then blocked by a lunging challenge from Zhumakhanov.
Due to intense pressure from Scotland, they were able to register their first shot on target through Rangers midfielder Stephen Kelly, who had drilled a shot into the bottom left hand corner, calling Ustimenko into action for the first time of the night.
Following Scotland having been denied a penalty, with 28 minutes on the clock, Stephen Kelly had played a through ball to set off the Manchester City academy graduate Lewis Fioroni, who delicately nutmegged the advancing Shriobokov before arrowing a strike into the bottom left-hand corner to give Scotland the lead.
Not long after the referee blew for halftime with the Young Scots going in 1 up at the break.
Second Half -
A first 10 minutes of the second half was purely dominated by Scotland, although no big chances came of it. Dangerously, Glenn Middleton beats Skvortsov to put a cross into the Kazakhstan box, which is punched away by keeper (Ustimenko) which lands to Dapo Mebude who can't control it properly and is soon cleared out the box. Not long later, Glenn Middleton doubles Scotland's lead after an excellent run from Josh Doig, who plays in Lewis Fiorini. Fiorini then puts a terrific ball over the top of the Kazakhstan defence which is brought down by Middleton, who slots it cooly past the Kazakhstan keeper sparking celebrations all around the stadium for the second time for the night.
10 minutes later, Stephen Kelly beats all four Kazakhstan defenders and the goalkeeper to put himself in an open-goal position, and squanders the opportunity by hitting the post because of poor control. Scotland's 2 goal advantage was reduced when Samorodov beat Scotland Goalkeeper, Archie Mair, and plays the ball into the back of the open net. Samorodov then proceeded to celebrate by shushing the fans. Scotland's first substitutions of the game came when Scott Banks, Ben Williamson and Jack Burroughs were brought on for Harrison Ashby, Dapo Mebude and Stephen Kelly. Not long before the end of the game Lewis Fiorini is taken down right outside the 'D' by Turklybek. Up stepped Middleton whose shot was blocked by the wall and Middleton's rebound shot ended up in 'row Z'. Scotland's final sub for the game came when Fiorini exited the pitch, with Thomas Clayton coming on. Short after the referee blew the whistle for the final time of the game, confirming the score at 2-1. My MOTM:- There were plenty to choose from, a very impressive performance from a select among of individuals. But for me, and probably a lot of people. Lewis Fiorini tops the lot with his goal and his assist. The Manchester City youngster (On Loan At Lincoln City) commanded the midfield and attack, with a host of excellent runs and an overall impressive passing ratio (87%).
Final Verdict:-
An important win for Scotland leaves them 2 points behind second placed Denmark. Scotland take on Belgium on Tuesday night (16th November) in match-day 4 of the UEFA European Under-21 Championships Qualifying campaign. Belgium currently sit top of the table having played 5 games, and won all 5 games.
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