Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Hardie’s double seals semi spot
A FORMER Raith Rovers loanee has fired the Scotland U/20s i nto the semi-finals of this year’s Toulon Tournament — and set up a clash with England.
Rangers striker Ryan Hardie, who scored 13 goals during a loan spell with the Kirkcaldy club last season, hit a double in a 2-1 win over Indonesia yesterday to hand Scotland all three points.
It also put them in pole position to qualify as the best-place runner-up from the three groups.
Following the win, Brazil and Czech Republic drew 0-0 i n the early evening kick-off, meaning Scotland’s place in the last four was sealed.
Scot Gemmill’s side will now face England at 4pm (UK time) in the first of two semi-finals at Stade Parsemain — the scene of Scotland’s memorable win over Brazil earlier this week — with Ivory Coast taking on Czech Republic in the other fixture.
Hardie almost handed Scotland the perfect start but his 25-yard effort after three minutes flew just over the bar.
But Putra Saghara pounced on some slack defending from the Scots to fire the Indonesians into a shock lead on 33 minutes.
Scotland grabbed a deserved equaliser j ust minutes l ater, however, when Hardie curled a shot into the top corner.
The young Scots were awarded a penalty after 65 minutes when Ralston was tripped in the box.
Hardie stepped up to smash the ball home to give Scotland the win.