Denmark 1, Scotland 0 A 60th minute header from Denmark's Ebbe Sand consigned Scotland to
defeat in the Copenhagen friendly. Despite the result taking Scotland's recent run of defeats to four in a row, it was a much-improved performance. Fletcher, goalkeeper Paul Gallacher and right-back Gary Caldwell enjoyed good games, while Norwich City's Malky Mackay made a solid debut in central defence. His club-mate Gary Holt was not so lucky, however, and left the field on a stretcher after 13 minutes following a clash with former Celtic midfielder Morten Wieghorst. McFadden had a chance in the third minute when he cut into the penalty box from the left flank, but Rene Henriksen stepped across to block his shot. And in the ninth minute there was a let-off for the Scots when Jon Dahl Tomasson shot wide from 10 yards after Gronkjaer's pass had carved open the visitors. Denmark went close again through Martin Jorgensen as the home side's passing game began to take hold, and the same player soon saw another long-range effort deflected wide. Fletcher sent a low drive fizzing just wide of the post on 38 minutes, but as the break approached Gallacher was forced to save well at Tomasson's feet. And Denmark then appeared to have a strong penalty claim when Pressley challenged Jorgensen. Half-time replacement Neil McCann marked his arrival with a raking shot from 25 yards that flew narrowly wide of the mark. In the 57th minute Sorenson was at full-stretch to get his fingertips to a low 20-yard shot from McFadden. But three minutes later the Scots were behind when substitute Sand got in front of the ponderous Pressley to head home a Gronkjaer cross from close range. A minute later, Gallacher made a wonderful save to push Gronkjaer's fierce angled shot onto the crossbar and keep Scotland in the match. An exciting passage of play then saw Kevin Kyle release McFadden but the Everton forward shot tamely at Sorensen. Gallacher once again showed good hands to hold a useful curling free kick from Jensen. With ten minutes remaining the Scots were tiring and Sand's shot was deflected into the side-netting, while McCann had to clear from the goal-line at the resulting corner. Scotland scrapped gamely in the closing stages but seldom looked like finding an equaliser and have now failed to score in six of their last eight friendlies.
Denmark: Sorensen, Wieghorst (sub Retov 80), Henriksen (sub Kroldrup 66), Lauresen, N Jensen (sub Sennels 46), Helveg, D Jensen, Gronkjaer (sub Rasmussen 83), Thomasson (sub Sand 46), Jorgensen (sub Rommedahl 66), C Jensen (sub Perez 46). Scotland: Gallacher (Dundee United), G. Caldwell (Hibernian), Crainey (Southampton), Dailly (West Ham United, capt), Mackay (Norwich City), Pressley (Heart of Midlothian), Fletcher (Manchester United), Holt (Norwich City) (sub Canero (Leicester City) 16), Kyle (Sunderland), McFadden (Everton), Cameron (Wolverhampton W) (sub McCann (Southampton) 46). Unused substitutes: Gordon (Heart of Midlothian), S Caldwell (Newcastle United), Alexander (Preston NE), Thompson (Rangers), Webster (Heart of Midlothian), McNamee (Livingston), Marshall (Celtic). Referee: Martin Ingvarsson (Sweden) (replaced by Stefan Johannesson at half time)
Vogts remains positiveScotland coach Berti Vogts was upbeat despite seeing his side go down 1-0 in Denmark - their fourth successive loss. "We created lots of chances for an away game, but when you get these chances in international football you have to take them," said Vogts. "All my players played with heart and emotion and that's what Scotland needs. We were well organised, especially in midfield and the defence, it was a big compliment for Malky Mackay, Steven Pressley and Christian Dailly."
Scotland skipper Christian Dailly is confident that results will come if the team continues to play with the same spirit they showed against Denmark.The Scots lost 1-0 in Copenhagen but fought gamely against the side ranked 14th in the world. "It's not an easy place to come but on another night we could have nicked a goal," Dailly told BBC Sport. "There was a lot of commitment shown out there and if we keep battling like that then we'll start to get results." Dailly played in front of a back four and, while the Danes were on top throughout the game, the home side found it hard to create many clear-cut chances. "I thought the balance of the side was good and the size of the team looked good as well. We had a few big lads in the team and made life difficult for our opponents." Gary Caldwell enjoyed a good match at right-back but the Hibs defender acknowledged that Scotland didn't pose much threat in attack. Darren Fletcher saw his shot fizz inches wide of the post and James McFadden created a couple of openings, only to be denied by Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen. But there was a lack of width in the Scottish team and Kevin Kyle failed to make much impression from the centre forward position. "We didn't do enough going forward to give them (Denmark) problems," Caldwell told BBC Sport. "But we had a good set-up at the back and looked pretty tight for most of the night." |
