Bordin looking to go out on a high note by finally Recording qualifying victory

ROBERTO BORDIN has vowed to bow out as Moldova manager by leading his team to their first victory in Qatar 2022 qualifying – and dealing a blow to Scotland’s chances of securing a play-off spot in the process.

Bordin’s side have picked up just one point in Group F – from a 1-1 draw at home against fellow minnows the Faroe Islands in their opening fixture back in March – and are bottom of the section.

The Libyan-born coach, who spent spells at Parma, Napoli and Atalanta in Italy as a player, looks set to leave his role when his contract runs out following the meeting with Austria away on Monday.

However, the 56-year-old is determined to go out on a high and is confident Moldova, who were only beaten 1-0 at Hampden back in September, can

record a victory in the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau this evening.

A defeat would mean Steve Clarke’s men would have to beat Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark in Glasgow on Monday – unless Austria beat Israel in in Klagenfurt.

“There is not a simple solution to why we have had the campaign we have had,” said Bordin. “People complain about the tactics and about the team selection, but we have not been as bad as it is said. We have eight players in the squad under the age of 24. We are trying to build, but it is not easy.

“I think we should have had more than one point in this group. We have deserved more for the work we put in, on and off the pitch. We bring everything we have, every time.

“It would mean so much if we could finish our World Cup off with a victory. I know the game is massive for Scotland, I know how powerful a team they are, but we have to believe in ourselves.”

He added: “In Glasgow, they put us under so much pressure, they passed and passed so quickly and got so many players into our box, but at the end we were so unlucky to lose 1-0. We made chances. We played well.

“Scotland will be the same here. They have their World Cup to play for, but we also come to play. I’m told they are bringing a lot of fans and mayno

be we do not have as many as we would like right now, but fans don’t win the game. They can create noise and pressure, but they cannot score goals.”

Meanwhile, Cristian Dros, the Moldova captain, has apologised to his side’s supporters for their dire Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign and pledged to give them a win to cheer this evening.

“I really want to say sorry to the fans and all the people of the country for our results,” he said. “It is a huge honour for me to be captain, but it does not come at an easy time.

“All we can do at this moment is remember the positives we have taken from the games before and try to turn them into something better.

“If you look at what happened in Glasgow, for instance, we played really well.

We made chances. We did not let Scotland have many chances. But still we lost 1-0. That has been the story too often for us, we cannot do quite enough.

“I believe there are wins in this team. This is our last chance in this World Cup to prove it.”