Soft Yugoslavia equaliser frustrates Roxburgh’s men
Mike Aitken sees Scots stay unbeaten on road to Italia ’90
Thursday 20 October, 1988 Scotland 1 Yugoslavia 1
IN FRONT of a worryingly disappointing attendance of less than 43,000, Scotland remained unbeaten in their World Cup qualifying section but were unable to impose their will on opponents who enjoyed a decided edge in the second half and in the process enhanced their reputation as the side the rest have to beat in Group 5 of the World Cup qualifying tournament.
Not that the Scots lacked application or effort at Hampden last night against a Yugoslav side who mixed a potent cocktail of athleticism and pace, as well as the less savoury ingredients of time-wasting and professional fouls.
However, Andy Roxburgh’s men never solved the problem of supporting the front players from deep positions. This meant that the Yugoslavs rarely faced sustained pressure and chances in the tie were very much at a premium.
The Scotland coach had said beforehand that a draw would not be a distressing result. He believes that the Scots may find more room to play when the return fixture takes place in Belgrade in September next year. Three points out of four from two games against Norway and Yugoslavia is an acceptable haul by Scotland, were well served by a number of individuals.
Goram did nothing wrong in goal as the late replacement for Leighton. McStay was always a tidy, probing presence in midfield and Miller, on the occasion when he surpassed Danny McGrain’s number of caps, didn’t put a foot wrong at the back.
It was the swiftness and economy with which the Yugoslavs managed to build the play from defence into attack that impressed more than any individual, although Stojkovic and Bazdarevic were outstanding. Theirs was a commanding presence even if the team’s temperament was suspect.
Since Jim Leighton had failed a fitness test, the Scots were forced to make three changes from the side that had won in Norway. Like Leighton, Gillespie and Durrant were injured. They were replaced by Goram, Gough and Bett.
Craig Brown, Scotland’s Under-21 coach, had suspected that the pattern adopted by the Yugoslav youngsters would be mimicked by the senior team. Certainly, the physical approach of the East Europeans was unchanged and Johnston was elbowed off the ball twice in the opening spell.
The Yugoslavs were intent on a counter-attacking policy. When Malpas was guilty of a slack pass to the flank after six minutes, they swept forward in numbers and Goram had to make a brave save at the feet of Cvetkovic to smother the danger.
Scotland’s best early moment came when McClair, who kept his place instead of McCoist, sent Nicol clear on the right. The midfield player’s low shot was well saved by Ivkovic.
After a cat-and-mouse start to the tie, it was to Scotland’s credit that they took the lead in the 17th minbute with a goal built from the back.
McLeish played a long ball out of defence to Bett in a position wide on the left. The Aberdeen man played the ball back to Malpas. The Dundee United full-back moved inside and played a one-two with McClair. The full-back’s low shot was only parried by Ivkovic, and Johnston was able to put enough pressure on Spasic, who struck the ball into his own net.
McClair played between the midfield and the front, a tactical decision which allowed Scotland to combat Yugoslavia’s strength in midfield. The Manchester United player had a busy and productive first half. There was no doubt that the Yugoslavs were most comfortable on the ball but Scotland defended well, and Gough’s magnificent 31st minute tackle on Spasic epitomised a determined rearguard effort.
Nonetheless, with ten minutes of the first half remaining, the Scots lost a soft goal from a set piece. Goram appeared to make a first-class save from Stojkovic – this was later disputed by Andy Roxburgh who claimed the ball struck a post. At any rate, the Yugoslavs won a corner on the left.
Stojkovic played the ball towards the near post, where Nicol cleared the ball off the line. Unfortunately, the ball fell nicely for Katanec, who drove from close range into the roof of the net. The Scots were spurred by that loss and Aitken was more than a little unlucky to see a header creep over the bar after good work on the right. Over the piece, Yugoslavia could count themselves a little fortunate to be on level terms at the break.
The Scots forced a series of corners at the start of the second hald and the feeling grew that Ivkovic, the Yugoslav goalkeeper, could be vulnerable if subjected to sustained pressure.
Even so, there was no room for complacency on Scotland’s part. Stanojkovic’s run and cross saw Vujovic’s header comfortably saved by Goram, warning enough of the threat of the Yugoslavs on the break.
Yugoslav’s technique continued to pose problems for Scotland. Goram had to make an alert diving save from Stanojkovic’s cross, while there was considerable relief when Vujovic glanced a header wide after smart work by Cvetkovic. Given that Yugoslavia had gained the upper hand, it was a timely moment for Andy Roxburgh to change the pattern. In 56 minutes Bett went off, McClair dropped back to midfield and McCoist came on as the fresh man in attack. There was no further attempt by Scotland to take charge of the proceedings when Speedie replace Aitken. However it remained an even contest in which the Yugoslavs always posed a threat when they counterpunched, though they were guilty of blatant time-wasting in the final phase of the match.
Ivkovic had to produce two outstanding saves in the closing minutes to keep his side on level terms when both Johnston and McCoist contributed snap shots on target.