Pitiful draw leaves Vogts in dire straits

GLENN GIBBONS AT REPUBLICAN STADIUM

THE remainder of Berti Vogts’s contract surely became as unfulfillable as the dream of World Cup qualification when Scotland failed to secure the victory that had been considered imperative here in Chisinau last night.

Having to come from behind, through Steven Thompson, to take one point after Moldova had led through Serghei Dadu, an ultimately pitiful Scots side rendered the excuses for Vogts’s consistent disappointments - and there are a number - irrelevant.

Second from bottom of Group 5 with two points from three matches, it has become clear that even change for change’s sake will have to be implemented.

The Caldwells, Gary and Steven, were not allowed much time in which to celebrate becoming the first brothers to play in the same Scotland team for 58 years, Jock and David Shaw having been the last to do so, against Switzerland in 1946.

The euphoria, indeed, would last only 28 minutes before Gary suffered the depression of being the defender who failed to prevent Dadu from giving Moldova their short-lived lead.

It was from a cross by Ghenadie Olexici on the right, flicked on by Serghei Covaliciuc, that the CSKA Moscow forward received the ball, back to goal, and with Caldwell crowding him from behind. Dadu, whose previous brush with the Scots resulted in a kick in the head from Rangers’ Alex Rae in the qualifying tie for the Champions League, still managed to turn away from the Hibs man and left-foot a volley past Craig Gordon from about six yards’ range.

The moment seemed to confirm that, in addition to their other problems, Vogts and his players have been deserted by whatever luck they may previously have enjoyed. On the balance of play before the goal, it could not reasonably be argued that the visitors deserved to be behind.

It was, therefore, very encouraging that they should equalise within three minutes. That goal from Thompson - their first after 208 minutes of World Cup football - at least indicated the kind of resilience that had appeared to be misplaced in the matches against Slovenia and Norway.

It was from an orthodox, low centre from Darren Fletcher on the right that the ball ran to the powerful Rangers striker, who placed it right-footed through the legs of Evgheni Hmaruc from about 12 yards out to the left of the Moldova goal.

Much as you would expect on a field that would seem like a des res to entire colonies of moles, slick, accurate passing and fluency of movement were unrealistic objectives. But, under any conditions, the match had never promised to be anything other than a test of commitment and will for a Scotland team whose reputation for virtuosity has been soiled beyond recognition.

Starting from that premise, it would be unfair to spend too much time searching for flaws in the finer points of the Scots’ game. This was an expedition to a bad place that simply had to be survived by any means possible.

For most of the time, Vogts’s makeshift team - Steven Caldwell replacing the injured Russell Anderson, Colin Cameron in for Richard Hughes and Thompson and Stevie Crawford forming a new front line for the suspended James McFadden and Paul Dickov - could hardly be criticised on the basis of lack of effort.

Crawford demonstrated a healthy longing to make his mark very early, when he ran on to a header from his partner, Thompson - off a long ball from Gary Caldwell - and hit a ferocious, right-foot volley from the right corner of the penalty box that sent the ball rising marginally high.

Having regained the initiative through Thompson’s goal, however, the Scots once again seemed to be overtaken by the second-half loss of power that has too often been a feature of their play in recent times.

It was, for uncomfortably long spells, as though they had been invaded by some virulent form of lethargy, although it may also be explained by the lack of match practice with their clubs among so many members of the team.

That would certainly account for the aimless drifting and generally weak play of Fletcher, who was taken off and replaced by Kenny Miller after 65 minutes, Vogts electing to play a three-man forward line in an attempt to put the home defence under the kind of pressure to which they had become unaccustomed since the interval.

In fact, it was the Scots who were subjected to the discomfort, as a suddenly spry and eager Moldova began pushing forward and producing some scoring efforts. Most of these were wildly off target, but the one from Dadu would have restored their lead but for the intervention of Gordon.

Serghei Covalciuc held the ball on the left until Dadu, untracked, strolled into empty space on the right. On receiving the pass, the striker hit a powerful, right-foot volley towards the far corner, forcing the young Hearts goalkeeper into an excellent save.

And it was only the profligacy of Serghei Rogaciov later that prevented the Moldovans once again from establishing an advantage. From a corner kick on the right, Covalcius took possession and some neat footwork left him free of a challenge.

His cross to the far side was perfect for Rogaciov, but the striker, perhaps through over-excitement, rushed the header over the crossbar by several feet. These were convertible opportunities that the Scots seemed to have become incapable of creating.

Given their previous form, the loss of so many first picks and a venue that was never likely to be conducive to classic football, it was not difficult to explain the apprehension that had settled on many of the 1,800 fans who followed the Scots to Chisinau. Their misgivings were worryingly vindicated.
 

Moldova: Hmaruc, Savinov, Lascencov, Olexici (Cebotari 39), Catinsus, Priganiuc, Covalciuc, Ivanov, Rogaciov (Miterev 85), Bursuc, Dadu. Subs Not Used: Melenciuc, Andriuta, Golban, Epureanu, Corneencov.

Booked: Ivanov.

Goals: Dadu 28.

Scotland: Gordon, Gary Caldwell, Stephen Caldwell, Webster, Naysmith (Murray 46), Fletcher (Miller 66), Holt, Ferguson, Cameron, Thompson (McCulloch 85), Crawford. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Severin, Hughes, Murty.

Booked: Murray.

Goals: Thompson 31.

Att: 7,000

Ref: Kristinn Jakobsson (Iceland).