Scotland and Wales at AVIVA
Scotland had to come from behind to illustrate their superiority over Wales in the Carling Nations Cup at the Aviva Stadium but they were convincing winners by the final whistle.
Their win set up a cup final match against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday at the Aviva Stadium when the inaugural Carling Nations Cup will be decided.
Wales were forced to go into the match with a below-strength team but manager Gary Speed must have taken encouragement from the performance of his experimental selection. They converted the one clear scoring opportunity they had in an opening half when they were more positive and adventurous than Scotland.
Scotland were content to withdraw ten players regularly and bide their time to strike on the rebound in that period. They were more dangerous than Wales but, faced with a deficit, they were much more assertive in the second half and more effective as a result.
The Welsh goal sparked them into action after team captain Robert Earnshaw had struck with customary efficiency to punish a lax Scottish defence in the 36th minute.
Steve Crainey mis-timed an attempted headed pass to his goalkeeper allowing Earnshaw cut inside him to snaffle possession. Earnshaw slipped the ball past the challenge of Scott Brown and went on to chip a delightful goal with his left-foot over the advancing Allan McGregor.
This was the high point for Wales and it illustrated the scoring ability of Earnshaw. He suffered, of course, from a lack of service as Scotland controlled the second half but he was always a threat.
Once Scotland succeeded in equalising it was obvious they had the strength to go on and win it. And one was left wondering to what extent the decision to make three changes in the Wales team selection after 61 minutes facilitated a decisive swing in the trend of the game.
Scotland undoubtedly stepped up the pace of their game after the interval as well, of course, but the Welsh defence looked decidedly hesitant and less secure in the closing half-hour. Scotland plundered the goals to finish as convincing winners.
The equalising goal was claimed by James Morrison after 55 minutes. He cut in from the right onto a pass from Charlie Adam as Wales appealed in vain with Kenny Miller offside in a central position and Morrison perhaps in line. Morrison finished confidently across goalkeeper Myhill.
Ross McCormack was just over with an audacious attempt with a smashing volley from the excellent Steven Naismith's headed pass before Kenny Miller put them in front.
The build-up split the Welsh defence as Morrison turned provider. He raced onto Steven Whittaker's pass and cut the ball across to leave Miller with time to side-foot the ball into the net in the 64th minute.
The third goal was a cause for celebration as Cristof Berra scored his first goal for Scotland. He rose impressively outside the far upright to power in a header from another excellent delivery from Whittaker.
The stage is now set for a cup final clash between the Republic of Ireland and Scotland on Sunday (kick-off 6.30 pm) to decide who wins the inaugural Carling Nations' Cup. Wales will play Northern Ireland on Friday (kick-off 7.45 pm) to decide the third and fourth positions and both matches will be played at the Aviva Stadium.
Teams:
Scotland: McGregor; Whittaker (Bardsley 80), Caldwell (Hanley 84), Berra, Crainey (Martin 80); Naismith (Rangers), Brown (Scotland), Adam (McArthur 88), James Morrison (Robson 74), McCormack (Bannon 74); Miller.
Wales: Myhill; Eardley (Matthews 61), Morgan, Blake, Taylor (Gunter 46); Dorman (Cotterill 61), King (Ramsey 61), Tudur Jones (Vaughan 72), Easter; Earnshaw, Vokes (Steve Morison 72).
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