Estonia 0, Scotland 0 |
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| Estonia 0, Scotland
0 09 Sep 1999 Tallinn Att:4,000 Scotland stumbled along the road to the finals of Euro 2000 when they had to settle for a point against Estonia. But at least Craig Brown's boys stay in front of Wednesday's opponents in Group Nine and, with two home games to come, they should secure their passage to the Low Countries next year. Brown rung the changes for this vital Euro 2000 qualifier at the Kadrioru Stadium. Perhaps the biggest surprise following the 2-1 victory against Bosnia last Saturday in Sarajevo was the inclusion of Kilmarnock midfielder Ian Durrant for Neil McCann. Callum Davidson and Allan Johnston also returned to the starting line-up at the expense of Barry Ferguson and David Hopkin, who is struggling with an ankle injury. One bonus for Scotland was at least Estonia were prepared to make a game of it. Three years ago they failed to turned up at the ground and the match lasted all of three seconds. Scotland knew that victory in this match would put them one step closer to a play-off spot from Group nine. Sunderland winger Johnston won a corner after only two minutes when his attempted cross was blocked by Erko Saviauk. However, the corner from Collins was poor and easily cleared. Scotland were finding it difficult in the opening stages against an Estonian side prepared to scrap for every loose ball. Johnston again tried to carve out an opening in the 12th minute but his intended pass to Billy Dodds was cut out by keeper Mart Poom. But Scotland had a scare in the 13th minute when keeper Neil Sullivan's clearance came off Andres Oper. Luckily for the Wimbledon star the ball went past the post. The Estonians were going into every challenge with a certain degree of relish as they tried to rough up Scotland. It meant Craig Brown's boys were finding it difficult to string even a few passes together. However, Estonia found a gap in the Scotland defence after 26 minutes when Martin Reim threaded the ball through to Oper, but Sullivan was equal to the task and raced out of his goal to clear. The Tartan Army, scattered around the tiny ground, were become increasingly irritated at Scotland's inability to make the breakthrough. Estonia keeper Mart Poom, who plays for Derby, had little to do in the first half. In fact if anything the former Baltic state carved out the better openings in the first 45 minutes. Martin Reim sent a shot over the top as three Estonians suddenly appeared in the Scotland box. Then Aivar Anniste hurried his effort to drag his shot wide of the post as Scotland were again forced on the defensive. Dodds, however, nearly made the breakthrough in stoppage time after Don Hutchison had slipped the ball through. Poom raced off his line to boot the ball clear. Scotland were forced on the defensive again at the start of the second half when Oper got away from Dailly only for Hendry to make a vital challenge. Estonia moved forward again in the 52nd minute when Indrek Zelinski linked with Oper. Sergei Terehhov was left clear in front of goal but his shot was poor and Sullivan was able to take the ball safely. Scotland broke away and from a long clearance by Sullivan, Dodds' volley from six yards was held by keeper Poom. Scottish manager Brown made a change 10 minutes into the half, bringing on McCann for Johnston. Scotland survived another scare when Reim sent in a thunderous shot from the edge of the area that was superbly punched away by Sullivan. But the danger was not over for Scotland and a header form Piiroja looked goalbound only for Collins to clear off the line. Estonia were looking dangerous every time they broke forward and Scotland were being overrun in midfield. Brown changed things again by bringing on Ferguson for the tiring Durrant. McCann was looking lively and released Davidson but Poom cleared the danger. Estonia poured forward and Zelinski twice came close to making the breakthrough, the first effort a cross-cum-shot, the second a header that went over. McCann rescued Scotland with four minutes to go heading away from Urmas Kirs as Marko Kristal swung in the corner.
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