Stalemate at Stayen gives Gemmill many reasons for optimism
SCOT GEMMILL heaped praise on his Scotland kids after they bossed Belgium for most of the game in an encouraging display.
Scotland Under-21s were already out of the qualification reckoning before their penultimate match against the runaway group winners.
Belgium had previously won six of their seven games and drawn the other and were huge favourites to end their campaign with another triumph.
But Scotland not only held firm, they were the better team and created the most chances with Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson going closest in what was a really good performance.
Gemmill was delighted with his side’s display and said the display was up there with wins over France, Brazil and Croatia by previous age groups.
“I thought it was a really good performance in all aspects in difficult circumstances,” he said. “In recent years the 1998s age group have dug out really good performances, the 1996s produced some really good performances.
“And I would include this one too. This was a really, really high-level performance.
“A lot of them finished playing a long time ago so to really dig in with that application and energy isn’t easy.
“They were very good. We’re in a privileged position where we can give these opportunities to players but they have to confirm it and show there’s more to come.”
A prolonged torrential downpour before the game put the match in jeopardy despite Sint-Truiden’s Stayen ground having an artificial surface. The match just passed a late pitch inspection.
Gemmill handed first starts to Dundee United’s Kieran Freeman as well as Anderson.
Scotland lined up with a bold three-man attack and Anderson nearly handed them a dream start when he drove forward and smashed in a low shot which forced a fine save from Genk goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoort.
However, Rangers defender Lewis Mayo could perhaps consider himself fortunate to only be shown a yellow card when he tripped up Charleroi striker Anthony Descotte who was sprinting down on goal.
Anderson showed terrific close control to skip past a couple of challenges before teeing up Scott High who lashed his effort over the bar.
Then Connor Barron placed a shot wide after being gifted an opportunity at the edge of the box from a stray pass from Belgium’s Anass Zaroury as Scotland’s high pressing game continued to trouble the hosts, who were being watched by manager Roberto Martinez and No.2 Thierry Henry.
The young Scots almost snatched it with 10 minutes to go when Anderson stabbed a Barron cross just wide at the back post. It would have been a fitting goal because they were the two best players on the pitch, but Scotland could take plenty away from this game.