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Iceland 0-2 Scotland

Berti's boys back on track? Have your say

Scotland registered their first competitive win under manager Berti Vogts with a determined display against a poor Iceland team in Reykjavik.

A header from Christian Dailly and a fine Gary Naysmith strike went a long way to erasing the painful memory of last month's draw with the Faroe Islands.

And the victory puts Scotland back into a healthy position in their qualifying group.

Scotland's win in pictures

Vogts made six changes in personnel, switching to a 3-5-2 formation.

And, in a match bereft of flowing football but full of sweat and endeavour, his team were the more polished outfit.

Jackie McNamara in action for Scotland
Scotland were the hungrier side
They made a positive start, pressing the ball well and knocking the ball around with composure at the back.

And the second of two early corners duly brought the opening from Dailly in the seventh minute.

Naysmith's initial delivery came back out, and when he swung the ball back into the danger zone, Dailly rose to head the ball over stranded Icelandic goalkeeper Arni Gautur Arason.

Great dipping shot

Scotland were given a fright after 18 minutes when Eidur Gudjohnsen smashed in a shot that beat Rab Douglas but cannoned off the crossbar.

The Chelsea striker had another good chance two minutes later but blasted the ball well over from the edge of the box.

Back at the other end, a good delivery from Jackie McNamara saw Steve Thompson rise highest in the Iceland box, only for Arason to tip over his looping header.

Naysmith made it 2-0 for Scotland
Gary Naysmith scored a fantastic goal

Stevie Crawford then found himself racing towards goal in the 47th minute, only to shoot wide under pressure with his weaker left foot.

But, after surviving more pressure, Scotland broke forward and the two wide men combined to double the lead after 63 minutes.

Maurice Ross sent in a cross from the right flank, which Naysmith gathered neatly on the edge of the penalty area before smashing home a great dipping shot with his right foot.

Iceland threw men forward, but their attacks lacked guile and Scotland were rarely troubled.

Indeed, Crawford spurned an excellent chance in the 71st minute when he flashed a header wide after a great run and cross from Ross.

But Scotland comfortably held on for a morale-boosting win - and three very valuable points.

Iceland: Arason, Porsteinsson, Vidarsson (Baldvinsson 66), Gunnarsson, Larus Sigurdsson, Runar Kristinsson, Hreidarsson, Ingimarsson, Gudjohnsen, Helgi Sigurdsson (Helguson 46), Gudnason (Bjarni Gudjonsson 75). Subs (not used): Birkir Kristinsson, Einarsson, Stigsson, Johannes Gudjonsson, Bjarni Gudjonsson.

Scotland: Douglas, Wilkie, Pressley, Dailly, Ross, McNamara (Davidson 34), Lambert, Ferguson, Naysmith (Anderson 90), Crawford (Severin 89), Thompson. Subs: Gallacher, Davidson, McFadden, Anderson, Gemmill, Devlin,Severin.

Referee: A Sars (France).


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