The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Stalemate but Gemmill looking at the positives
SCOTLAND U21S: Worsening weather does not help Scots after points dropped
SCOTLAND U21S 0 LITHUANIA U21S 0
Scot Gemmill admitted he had mixed emotions after Scotland Under-21s took a single point from their goalless draw with Lithuania in Group 4.
Scotland had the opportunity to go top of their qualifying group after leaders Greece drew 1-1 in the Czech Republic earlier yesterday.
But despite a dominant first-half display, Gemmill’s side were unable to take advantage after the weather conditions worsened in the second period.
Boss Gemmill was disappointed not to pick up maximum points but saw plenty of positives from his side’s performance and insists he must look at the bigger picture.
He said: “It was actually a game that we expected. The Lithuania team were always going to make it really hard for us.
“But I’m very happy with the team in terms of being defensively sound, not getting caught on the counter but pushing to break the opposition down.
“And I thought in the first half some of our football was really, really good – but we all know if you get chances, you have to take them.
“I also think the Lithuanians changed at half-time because of how dominant we were in the first half, and made it even harder for us.
“They dropped even deeper, were more narrow and compact.
“I think there were a lot of good things and then you factor in the bigger context.
“It’s seven points out of nine, a lot of young players played – a great opportunity, great for their development.
“Of course we’re disappointed not to win but I think we have to think of the bigger picture.”
The ball barely left Lithuania’s half in the opening minutes as the home side started on the front foot.
But despite their dominance, Scotland had to wait until the fourth minute for their first meaningful chance, when Fraser Hornby headed a loose ball over from close range.
Hornby was a thorn in the visitors’ side early on and forced goalkeeper Titas Krapikas into a smart stop after the ball fell to the striker at the back post.
Krapikas was called into action again from the resulting corner, tipping over to deny Scotland a 15th-minute opener.
Scotland remained on top and perhaps should have been rewarded for their bright start with a goal when Glenn Middleton let fly at the far post, but he could not keep his shot down.
Shortly after Allan Campbell had seen his shot from the edge of the box saved, Scotland had penalty claims waved away when Ryan Porteous went down.
Lithuania went straight down the other end and won a free-kick 25 yards from goal but it came to nothing as Titas Milasius’ ball in drifted harmlessly out of play.
Middleton almost opened the scoring in the 34th minute after Scotland were awarded a free-kick of their own, but his goalbound effort was excellently kept out by Krapikas.
Scotland were unfortunate not to go in front a minute later when a goalmouth scramble finished with the ball landing safely in Krapikas’ arms and Hornby going into the book.
After Hornby had sent a low free-kick narrowly wide, Billy Gilmour flashed an effort wide from 20 yards.
Only a good block in Scotland’s box prevented Lithuania from getting a shot away in the 45th minute as the first half finished goalless.
Conditions worsened in the second half and the heavy rain made the pitch slippery and increasingly difficult for both teams.
Scotland almost snatched all three points in the 81st minute when substitute Stephen Kelly latched on to Middleton’s cross but his effort was kept out.
Scotland U21: Doohan, Ross McCrorie, Porteous, Johnston, Harvie, Ferguson (McLennan 58), Campbell (Henderson 87), Gilmour, Magennis (Kelly 64), Hornby, Middleton. Subs not used: Robby McCrorie,Maguire, McIntyre, Reading, Smith.
Lithuania U21: Krapikas, Stockunas, Kloniunas, Uzela, Milasius, Sesplaukis, Antanavicius, Megelaitis,Jankauskas (Sirvys 89), Marazas (Banevicius 73), Dubickas. Subs not used: Armalas, Kodz, Kruzikas, Lukosiunas, Ramanauskas, Siaulys.