Wright saves young Scots from drubbing by Germany
GERMANY 3 Wintzheimer 23, Shiels 56og, Maier 81 pen
SCOTLAND 0
Scotland went down to an opening-game defeat in the Euro Under 19s Elite Round as classy hosts Germany took them apart in Lippstadt, writes Mark Walker.
Donald Park’s youngsters could have no complaints about the defeat, with Rangers keeper Kieran Wright making several fine stops to keep the scoreline respectable.
Scotland did, however, have a good spell on either side of the break and Hibs defender and Scots captain Ryan Porteous nearly headed them level before the interval.
But Park insists his youngsters can do better. He said: “We were very much in the game in the first half and their keeper made a great save.
“We asked them to press Germany more, but we gave the ball away in silly areas and the second half was disappointing. I think we have something to build on – a few of the boys played very well in difficult circumstances because they are a very, very good side. But we are very disappointed because we know we can play better than that.”
Scotland conceded the opener midway through the first half when they were undone down their right and Bayern Munich striker Manuel Wintzheimer tucked in Jan-niklas Beste’s low cross past goalkeeper Wright, who made plenty of fine stops last night.
But the young Scots were desperately close to a shock equaliser three minutes from the break when Porteous nodded Easter Road team-mate Fraser Murray’s free-kick at goal, but Cologne keeper Janchristopher Bartels flung himself low down to his right to make a superb save.
The home nation then hit Scotland with a hammer blow when Hannover’s Linton Maina’s cross was deflected into his own goal by unfortunate Matthew Shiels.
Scotland’s heads went down after that and Wright made several more fine saves before the Germans wrapped it up when Rangers left-back Shiels tripped Sam Screck in the box and Hertha Berlin playmaker Arne Maier converted the spot-kick. l Scotland lost 1-0 to hosts Greece in their first match of the Elite Round of the European Under-17 Championships. The Scots are also due to face Norway and Germany.