Football365 goes to France 98

365.Paper - the front page

Football 365 News

England Fans' Curfew

Southgate Injury Worry

Beans Extra!

Batty And Ince: We Believe In Each Other

Leighton Rates Scots' Show Against Norway As Best Ever

Christian Marches Forward

Burley And Weir Give Brown Options

Give A Toss? Scotland Might

France 4 Saudi Arabia 0: The Stats And Reaction

France 4 Saudi Arabia 0

Denmark 1 South Africa 1: The Stats And Reaction

Denmark 1 South Africa 1

Spain v Paraguay Preview

Nigeria v Bulgaria Preview

World Cup Anthems

Cantona Ad Banned

Bollocks!

Today's Trivia

World Cup Knowledge And News

More Injury Woe For Paul Kitson

TV & Radio

NewsFeaturesResultsHomegroundHelp
Eidos  - World League Soccer
Friday 19 June 1998 Previous News 2 Next

LEIGHTON LOOKING FOR 90th PRESENT
Give Us One More Cracker, Jim Asks Mates

JIM LEIGHTON still can't believe all his teammates' efforts have failed to bring them three points in the World Cup three points in total, let alone three from one of the games.
But now he knows that a repeat performance will surely bring the win that they need against Morocco, and that, coupled with anything other than a Norwegian victory over Brazil, would see him earn his 90th Scotland cap in the second round of the World Cup, somewhere no Scottish 'keeper has ever played.
"We have produced two excellent performances and still not won a game but we have put ourselves in a position to qualify," said the Aberdeen star. "We should have more points, but no-one can question our level of performance. Before the Norway game, the best Scotland performance I had been involved with was the 3-1 defeat of Spain in 1984.
"But we played better against Norway - that was the best we've ever played in my time with Scotland. I don't remember a Scotland team keeping possession the way we did. Apart from ten minutes after they scored, we were superb in our approach. You might expect to see so much of the ball against a team such as San Marino, but not a side with the reputation and record Norway has."
But the fact remains that Scotland failed to take advantage of that excellent possession play, with attacks breaking down inside the penalty area through unforced errors over-hit crosses, poor passes and snatched finishes. That sense of frustration must not be allowed to get the better of them against Morocco.
"We are in a good position now, because, barring Norway beating Brazil, we know that if we win, we can go through. On the three occasions we have gone out on goal difference, it has been a single goal over the three games that has done it and this time it is just as close. But now it is in our own hands and you can't ask any more than that."
When Leighton ended his 1990 World Cup campaign by conceding a disastrous late goal against Brazil, he did not play a single League game. Axed by Manchester United, he eventually went on loan to Reading before reviving his career with Dundee. But he could never have expected to be in almost the same position eight years on, facing another D-Day at the World Cup.
Leighton, who will be 40 in late July, will have to adjust to playing behind a different back three after the injury sustained by Colin Calderwood, who has been sent home for surgery on a damaged hand. He said: "It's a huge disappointment for Colin and the rest of the squad, because he has been such a fixture in the team for the past three years and I knew he was looking forward to the World Cup. Hopefully, he will be able to come back to the squad, even if he can't play. He can get the kilt and scarf on and be a supporter. He is my room mate and I spoke with him before he left.
"He wasn't too down because he's not the type to want others to see him moping around. It won't be as difficult as some people think to get used to playing behind someone else. David Weir came in and did well in the Norway game - he even laid on the equaliser for Craig Burley. No matter who is picked against Morocco, he'll know our system inside out."

BURLEY, DAILLY AND WEIR LEAVE BROWN
SPOILT FOR CHOICE

CRAIG BROWN must make some big decisions about his line-up ahead of Scotland's final group match with Morocco on Tuesday. Colin Calderwood's hand injury means he must find another centre back to partner Colin Hendry and he has a choice of three players: David Weir, who came on as substitute against Norway, Matt Elliott or Christian Dailly, who had an inspired day running down Norway's right flank, but is clearly happier in central defence where he has mainly played for Derby.
The possibility of moving the chronically right-footed Dailly from the left wing-back slot could enable a major reshuffle in Scotland's midfield, but Brown may consider that too much of a gamble. Goalscorer Craig Burley would prefer to play in central midfield rather than at right wing-back and Darren Jackson could be sacrificed to allow Jackie McNamara's pace on the right, a line-up that Scotland used for the last half an hour against Norway.
"We have got five or six players who are flexible enough to play anywhere, and perhaps my own versatility has been a problem for me," said Burley. "But we're pleased - as a team we're delighted with the way we're playing. I want to be in midfield, but I play where I'm told to play. The situation is ongoing, and there might be the chance to switch -but when you start questioning a manager you are out of the door.
"Yet I know that I can do a job in the middle of the park at this level. I won't score every game, but I'm confident I can finish chances off."
Brown could give Weir his first start of France 98 in place of Calderwood. The Hearts defender had barely joined the action as a substitute for the injured Colin Calderwood when his pass released Craig Burley to score. Weir anticipated this summer being a case of watch and learn, but perhaps his own experiences at Tynecastle should have taught him to be less pessimistic. The defender was 26 when he joined Hearts from Falkirk in July 1996 but has improved hugely since then.
"My progress since signing for Hearts and what has happened to me has been incredible," said Weir. "There was nothing to suggest it would happen like this for me; it's something you dream about. My first aim was to try and do well in training and if anything happened, be ready to step in and perform.
"I have a chance now and I'll be nervous if I am involved, but I'm not about to bother the rest of the guys who play on the big stage every week," he said.

CHRISTIAN BELIEVES IN ATTACKING APPROACH

CHRISTIAN DAILLY has been given a licence to thrill - and he is enjoying every minute of it. Now he is hoping to help secure Scotland's passage into the second phase of the World Cup finals for the first time by defeating Morocco on Tuesday.
Dailly made his way into the international set-up with some outstanding displays in Derby's defence, but he is now being asked to play a totally unnatural left wing-back role. After being totally dominated by the wonderful Cafu against Brazil, he showed his potential with some fantastic runs against Norway only to fail with his final ball. But that's excatly the type of game manager Craig Brown wants the 24-year-old former Dundee United whizzkid to play on Tuesday.
Dailly said: "It was a more open game when we played Norway, and it was good to get forward. I feel comfortable in that role, even though I am used to playing in central defence at my club. The Scotland manager has given me a vote of confidence, and I am trying to take it.
"He gave me a licence to get forward against Norway and be positive. I am relishing the challenge, although perhaps I should have scored early in the game.
"We know we should have won the Norwegian game, but if we keep playing the same way, then we will succeed. Perhaps then we will pick up a bit of praise because I still believe we are not getting too much credit at the moment."

GIVE A TOSS?
SCOTLAND MIGHT

SCOTLAND could have their World Cup future decided by the toss of a coin! If Scotland draw 2-2 with Morocco and Brazil defeat Norway 2-1 on Tuesday, it would leave Scotland and Norway equal on points, goals scored and goals conceded. Morocco would also have two points, but they would be out of the running on goals conceded. The fact that Scotland and Norway drew with each other means that lots would have to be drawn to decide who went through to Round Two. Even if they beat Morocco, Scotland could still go out if Norway beat Brazil. But Paul Lambert, Scotland's anchor man in midfield said: "I think the pressure will now be on Norway. Let's put it this way - would you rather play Morocco or Brazil, if you needed a victory to go through to the next stage? Morocco would say the same if you offered them a choice between playing Scotland or Brazil"
But Tommy Docherty is warning the team against underestimating Morocco and adding to Scotland's list of World Cup disasters; Zaire in 1974, Iran in 1978 and Costa Rica in 1990.
"We usually fall by the wayside against teams like Morocco," he said. "I'm not saying that Morocco are not a good side, but they could turn out to be another Costa Rica for us. I'd rather play the likes of Yugoslavia, France or Germany than these smaller teams. This is when I start to worry."
The Doc, who managed Scotland in 1971-72, added: "We're not going to qualify if we don't score goals. We've only scored two goals - and one of those was a penalty - and that's not going to get us through.
"We've got to go on all-out attack against Morocco and get the three points. And let's not forget that if Morocco win they can go through as well.
"I would expect Brazil to rest most of the team that played in the first two matches and so we've got to look after ourselves. I think it will be a low-scoring draw against Morocco and hopefully that will be enough."


For all the World Cup results and news, fun and breaking news, visit our website at www.football365.co.uk


top Back to Top

Football 365NewsFeaturesResultsHomegroundHelpFootball 365