Fraser gives Scotland a glimmer of hope
Scotland suffered a setback to their World Cup qualifying hopes as they fell behind for the second game in succession. Israel’s Dor Peretz scored just before half-time but, to Steve Clarke’s credit, he responded with purpose.
The Scotland manager switched formations, sending on Ryan Christie to create more menace, a task the Celtic player fulfilled by playing a decisive part in the lead-up to Ryan Fraser’s equaliser 11 minutes after the interval.
The Scots’ task now is nevertheless daunting. To return to the classic qualifying path of taking the greater share of spoils from each double header, they must beat Austria in Vienna and Israel at Hampden, neither of which falls into the category of probability.
This being the sixth meeting of these sides in three years, and the fourth in seven months, there was little scope for surprise, although novelty off the pitch took the form of a modest crowd of 5,000 in the 30,000-capacity Bloomfield Stadium. As for the Group F table, Denmark had already moved on to the six-point mark with an 8-0 home win over Moldova before proceedings got under way in Tel Aviv.
Clarke made three changes to the team who drew with Austria at Hampden on Thursday. Lyndon Dykes, Stuart Armstrong and Christie made way for Che Adams – on his first start – Callum Mcgregor and Fraser. Adams was a busy figure in the early stages and, although not a target man, worked his attacking beat from flank to flank, seeking out pockets of space in which to make himself available.
Israel, though, had the first proper chances to excite their supporters. Eran Zahavi shot wide from the edge of the Scottish area and that was followed within a minute by an effort from Manor Solomon that also swept past from 25 yards.
The Scots continued to invite damage and Stephen O’donnell contributed to the unease when he lost possession and allowed Zahavi a powerful drive that was blocked by Grant Hanley.
Shon Weissman also had a sniff of goal with a downward header, which David Marshall scrambled to gather, but the goalkeeper was left exposed just before the interval when Solomon fed Peretz into space directly in front of the Scottish area and, although Scott Mctominay tried to intercept, he could not prevent the shot being delivered. Even so, Marshall was able to get his gloves to the ball, but with too little force to divert the effort off target.
Clarke’s response was to remove Jack Hendry, who had been booked,
and he sent on Christie, with John Mcginn instructed to get closer to Adams.
The Scots immediately looked more purposeful and the change paid off when Christie found Mcginn, who played a pass through to Adams and his lay-off was perfectly weighted for the unmarked Fraser to score.
“I’m a bit disappointed,” Clarke said. “We didn’t start the game well. It was disappointing to lose a goal just before half-time but as always this group of players showed good character – we were really good second half. Credit Israel, they were good, they got out, caused us a few problems with the width that they had in midfield.”
Israel (3-5-2) Marciano; Arad, Elhamed, Tibi; Dasa, Natcho (Lavi 63), Peretz, Menachem (Kayal 79), Solomon; Weissman (Dabur 74), Zahavi. Subs Nitzan (g), Kleyman (g), Kandil, Blorian, Taha, Haziza, Abu Fani, Abada, Abu Hanna. Booked Peretz.
Scotland (4-3-3) Marshall; O’donnell, Hendry (Christie h-t), Hanley, Robertson; Mctominay, Mcgregor, Tierney; Mcginn (Mclean 74), Adams (Dykes 75), Fraser (Armstrong 86). Subs Gordon (g), Mclaughlin (g), Fleck, Gallagher, Mckenna, Nisbet, Mcburnie, Considine.
Booked Hendry.
Referee Deniz Aytekin (Germany).