The 2003 GAME

SCOTLAND's BRAVEHEARTS ARE CHAMPIONS.

SCOTLAND 1 - ENGLAND 1
(SCOTLAND WIN 3-2 ON PENALTIES)

Scotland's rampant lions roared to victory with a dramatic sudden death penalty shoot out victory over the "Auld Enemy" England in the annual expatriate challenge match held at Al Ahli Stadium.

With the scheduled April 2003 match postponed due to tensions in the region, the annual game was held in December, for the first time, and the event kicked off in near perfect weather conditions on a soft pitch, nicely dampened by three days of consistent rain.

England dominated the early exchanges but wasted a couple of good chances in front of goal with Johnny Lord the main culprit as he ballooned a shot over the bar from 15 yards following a corner. However Lord then showed the other side of his capabilities as he fired a curling free kick just agonisingly wide of the post on 12 minutes. England continued to maintain the pressure throughout the first half with captain Mark Leppard showing all his experience in midfield dominating proceedings and keeping the fleet footed young Scots under wraps.

It was no surprise then that England took the lead midway through the half when Scotland failed to clear a cross from the right wing. The ball fell to Pete Jackson on the edge of the area and he connected with a sweet right foot volley which gave SCotland keeper Dave Wood no chance.

The goal seemed to galvanise Scotland into action and they produced their best move of the half winning a rare ball in midfield and moving it forward to the lively Craig Haggarty who burst through the England defence at speed. However, he allowed the ball to run too far ahead and England keeper Dave Kelly collected with ease. England continued to dominate in midfield but without creating many clear cut chances. Scotland showed signs of a belated comeback with playmaker Johnny Morrison finally escaping from the shadow of Leppard to force a good save from Kelly after a pacey run and crisp shot from 25 yards just before the end of the first half.

Half Time: SCOTLAND 0 - ENGLAND 1

The Scotland management team must be given credit for their half time pep talk which surely had references to Braveheart as the Scots started the second half, much like the English had started the first, piling on the pressure and looking the much likelier of the teams to score.

Scotland's passing game came to the fore and Morrison threaded a lovely through ball to test the inexperience of England debutant full back Gafyn Lewis, but Ritchie Biggar crashed his shot into the side netting. England re-awoke after this scare and 2002 hat trick hero Joss Millar, who had been kept at bay throughout by the close attention of Scotland's Mark Fotheringham, finally broke clear of his shackles to go one-on-one with keeper Dave Wood but the big keeper was up to the task and thwarted Millar with a fine block. England's long ball tactics continued to pay dividends and twice more Wood came to Scotland's rescue in one-on-one situations to keep his team in the match.

With both teams going all out for victory, it proved to be the Flower of Scotland that bloomed with the impressive Haggarty spinning on a sixpence on the right wing following a quickly taken free kick and curling an unstoppable shot high into the corner of the England goal for the equaliser. The noisy Scotland support almost raised the roof of the stadium in celebration. What a thriller we had now as both teams pressed for the winner in the final ten minutes. England were denied once more by another spectacular save from Wood from a dangerously curling free kick from Leppard. Scotland narrowly missed with two free kicks at the other end but the match ended in stalemate.

Full Time: SCOTLAND 1 - ENGLAND 1

As in 1998 and 2001 it was once again the dreaded penalty shoot out to determine the winner. Could England keep their nerve to win as they had done on these two occassions?

England captain Mark Leppard took the responsibility of the first kick but his shot went high and wide, and Scotland's Johnny Morrison showed his consistency from the spot by sending another one for the coastguard to retrieve. (0-0)

England substitute Dave Craig calmed his team's nerves with a no nonsense conversion, but Mark Fotheringham of Scotland hit the post with his effort. (0-1)

England's Ian Shaw saw his attempt excellently saved by Dave Wood, and then Alan Fotheringham levelled for Scotland with an assured strike. (1-1)

Johnny Lord then put England back in front but Brian Whelton blasted home for Scotland to keep the scores level. (2-2)

2002 hero Joss Millar was entrusted with England's final spot kick but again Wood pulled off a miraculous save, and set himself up for his own chance of glory with Scotland's final penalty, however his blasted effort was saved by Dave Kelly in the England goal adding further drama to the match which now moved into a sudden death shootout.(2-2)

Alyn Smith and England were denied yet again by another miracle save from Wood, leaving it down to Stuart Potter of Scotland to emulate his namesake Harry and produce his own piece of magic. This he duly did with a strike which cannoned of the underside of the bar and up into the roof of the net to lead the Scotland contingent into scenes of wild jubilation. (3-2)

Final Score: SCOTLAND 1 (3) - ENGLAND 1 (2) (PENALTIES).