The 2002 Game

ENGLAND ROMP TO VICTORY.

ENGLAND 4 - SCOTLAND 1

England's young guns were firing on all cylinders as they easily defended their title against Scotland in the annual Expatriate challenge match at Al Sadd Stadium. Teenage sensation Joss Millar led the way with a scintillating hat trick in an all round excellent display from England.

The match was preceded by a one minute silence as a tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who had died earlier in the month at the grand age of 101 years old.

Sixteen year old Millar gave notice of his intentions as early as the first minute with a speedy dash down the right flank, and he broke away again down the wing a few minutes later, but his crosses found no support from his fellow strikers in front of goal. The Scotland defence were struggling to come to terms with the pace and agility of the English strikers, and were often caught square at the back as England launched long balls over the heads of defenders for their pacy attackers to chase.

Scotland howeverhad the chance to go one up in their endeavour to win back the trophy they lost in a luckless penalty shoot out in 2001, as England keeper Colin Spencer chose to race from his line to intercept a through ball but was beaten by Fraser Hamilton who then fired his shot just over the bar.

In the 25th minute Millar opened the scoring for England when he latched onto a long ball, dodged and weaved past two defenders and slotted the ball behind Scotland keeper Kenny Gilmartin. Scotland were still drawing breath from the opening goal when within a minute of the restart England were two up. The Scotland defence were caught out by yet another 40 yard diagonal pass over the top for Millar to chase. The young striker bore down on goal from the left flank and fired in a shot which Gilmartin did well to parry, however the ball bounced straight back to Millar and he stroked it home for his second goal of the match.

Scotland then had a chance to keep themselves in the game when they were awarded a penalty for handball. Alan Fotheringham stepped up to cooly slot the ball past Spencer and hand his team a lifeline before the end of the first half.

Half Time: ENGLAND 2 - SCOTLAND 1

The restart saw Scotland miss their best opportunity to draw level when Steve Dundas sent a left footed chip just wide of the target with the goal at his mercy. England made them pay dear for that miss by going 3-1 up in the 60th minute. A Lee Banfield cross was efficiently volleyed home by England veteran Dave Craig to restore England to a two goal lead. Scotland tried in vain to find a way through the England defence but their young strikeforce of Craig Munro and Kevin Lutton were well shepherded by the England back four. Two minutes from time Millar, a Doha College student, fittingly wrapped up the match with his third goal and England's fourth with a header from a long throw-in from the left.

At the final whistle young Millar received the plaudits of the crowd, and the match ball from sponsor Baker Hughes in recognition and celebration of his hat trick.

Full Time: ENGLAND 4 - SCOTLAND 1