Scotland-Japan

[NorthernLights24]

Looking forward to tonights game and its the only one that kicks off for us at a decent time - 10:15pm

 

BBC2 is showing the game live and you can also watch it at http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/livecoverage.html

 

Scotland Under-20 boss Archie Gemmill says the first goal could be vital when his side open their World Cup campaign against Japan in Canada on Sunday.

 

"Japan are very much like ourselves," Gemmill told BBC Sport. "They play 4-4-2, are very disciplined and work exceptionally hard for each other.

 

"They have undoubted ability in their team, but we have as much as them.

 

"So whoever gets the first goal could be important. Luckily enough, we have players who can score goals."

 

Japan have pinpointed Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher as the main danger for the Group F opener at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria.

 

"Fletcher is absolutely flying in training," said Gemmill.

 

"He's vitally important to the team, but all 11 players in a team are important."

 

The Scots have had a long wait for the tournament following the end of their domestic season, while Japan will go into the game with greater match fitness.

 

Hearts full-back Lee Wallace has been the Scots' only injury doubt but should be ready to face Japan.

 

"They have been going very well since we got together in Glasgow," said Gemmill.

 

"They are getting fitter every day, but it is all about what happens against Japan and they are mentally and physically ready.

 

"If we don't go anywhere in the tournament, it won't be for the lack of effort."

 

Nigeria and Costa Rica are Scotland's other group opponents in the tournament, which begins on Saturday.

 

Coach Tommy Wilson said: "The boys are getting a little stir crazy and they just can't wait to get started."

 

Gemmill's squad are being billed as the brightest pack of Scottish youngsters since the early 1980s.

 

And Wilson believes that comparisons with the star-studded team of 1983, led by Andy Roxburgh, are perfectly fair.

 

That group included Paul McStay and Brian McClair, who went on to play for Celtic, Steve Clarke and Pat Nevin (Chelsea), Dave Bowman and Jim McInally (Dundee United) and Dave MacPherson (Hearts and Rangers).

 

"I remember the 1983 finals well," said Wilson. "I was just too old to be involved and, by that stage, I was an under-21 international.

 

"It was a good squad who went to Mexico. My former St Mirren team-mate, Steve Clarke, who's now at Chelsea, was in the squad.

 

"They were at the start of their careers and full of ambition. It'll be the same hope for these guys. They do have the same sort of potential.

 

"They've got to take that and run with it. Hopefully, they'll keep their feet on the ground and go on to have successful careers as professionals."

 

The 1983 team reached the quarter-finals, as did Ross Mathie's 1987 side.

 

But Scott Crabbe (Hearts), Paul Wright (Kilmarnock) and Billy McKinlay (Blackburn) were among the few that made the grade from the side that travelled to Chile 20 years ago.

 

"Those players didn't achieve the same success," Wilson recognised. "It shows nothing is guaranteed for players of this age."

[zig-a-zig-ah]

COME ON SCOTLAND!

[NorthernLights24]

Japan looking the far better team. We're playing pish so far

[Woolenrouge]

result?

[dundee_red]

result?

 

0-0 just coming up to half time.

[NorthernLights24]

result?

 

Its 0-0, not even half time yet.

[fin32]

1-0 japan :angry8:

[Guest glasgowdon]

That's a really poor goal to lose.

 

Deserve to be a goal behind.

[fin32]

i agree...we need considine on but seriously why would you play a hibs goalie?

[NorthernLights24]

Aye that was some real kamikaze defending for that goal. Both players involved as bad as each other.

[NorthernLights24]

Glad to see Lowing off. He was playing sh*te.

[MG_Don]

Two shocking errors for the goal. We'll do well to get a draw now. C'mon Scotland.

[NorthernLights24]

Its the midfield thats annoying me. Its non-existent at times and when we do get the ball we just waste it.

[Patty]

Why Archie Gemmill didn't pick that young Deportivo La Coruna keeper? I'll never know.

[NorthernLights24]

2-0 sh*te.

[zig-a-zig-ah]

mcneils worse to be honest. hes running right onto it, hit it out for a throw in you COMPLETE TOOL

 

and again, TERRIBLE hair on a TERRIBLE lookin guy

 

WHO GIVES A f*ck WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE.

 

IM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT HIS GOALKEEPING SKILLS.

[dundee_red]

3-0 Japan - a real 'hibs goalie' moment

[NorthernLights24]

f*ck sake McNeil you twat - 3-0.

[dundee_red]

3-1, mis hit shot, but hey, they all count.

[NorthernLights24]

Wooo! 3-1 and it was almost 3-2.

[NorthernLights24]

Its finished 3-1. I don't think we can argue about the result. Japan looked the better team but its so annoying the way we gifted them two of their goals. Typical McNeil - pulls off some good saves but produces some real howlers that would make Langfield blush.

[cgs1706]

 

Typical Scotland-in-a-World-Cup performance.

 

Oh well. Let's hope McNeil is dropped. Had a horribly sclaffed punt as well... fair does he made a couple of good stops, but the errors outweigh the good stuff in my eyes...

[cgs1706]

Why Archie Gemmill didn't pick that young Deportivo La Coruna keeper? I'll never know.

 

Because he's too old...?

[NorthernLights24]

Because he's too old...?

 

 

Yea I checked Wikipedia and according to it he is 21 in July. Has anyone ever seen this lad play though?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Mackay

[cgs1706]

Always been his 'dream' to play for Scotland. Reads like he really means it.

 

Supports Celtic though. Boo.

 

How weird would it be having a player in the national side who doesn't speak English, though?!

 

Hope we can see him play one day... get him on loan to the Dons...?

 

 

That's him modelling the new kit on the left...

[vanderark14]

found it a bit strange that considine didnt start.

 

been playing regular 1st team football at senior level for about 2 years now yet he doesnt start ahead of guys av never heard of.

[sheep_shagger]

If Considine cant get a game in that defence then he's struggling. The defence was a shambles for the whole game, the midfield was constantly being reshuffled to put a centre forward in to partner Adams and even though the keeper made some good saves he made two horrific mistakes. All in all was a bit of an embarassment all round and were lucky that it was only 3-1.

[H.H]

Man against boys. Japan were organised, had skill flair and composure. Scotland had headless chicken bully boy kick and run mentality which never works. We are kidding ourself on if we think we are making progress.

 

Look at the way Japan, Nigeria, Congo etc all play football and its nothing to do with brut strength.

[Dynamo]

Why the hell wasnt Considine playing.

 

Who does that boy Lowing play for? He's worse than pish.

Andy McNeil

[NorthernLights24]

Man against boys. Japan were organised, had skill flair and composure. Scotland had headless chicken bully boy kick and run mentality which never works. We are kidding ourself on if we think we are making progress.

 

Look at the way Japan, Nigeria, Congo etc all play football and its nothing to do with brut strength.

 

Watching Scotland play last night almost reminded me of the style of football I used to play at school. No real masterplan just get it up the park as quickly as possible which often results in losing possession. There really is something fundamentally wrong with the way the game is taught in this country and change is needed from the grassroots level upwards but we've been saying that for so long now. Yet not much has changed.

 

The Japaneses looked comfortable on the ball and were passing it brilliantly. I was watching it on FIFAs website and the commentator said it was like the Japaneses were on first name terms with the ball while Scotland were still getting to know it. If the Japanese can produce players capable of doing that then we really need to ask why aren't we? The lads have done well reaching the World Cup but this could be a step too far for them.