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The 2007 GAMESCOTLAND DEMOLISH ENGLAND 6-0 TO REGAIN TROPHY
Scotland produced a masterful display at Doha Stadium to score three goals in each half and demolish a quiet England side 6-0. Though a keen contest was expected between the teams, Scotland strengthened by the influx of young talent effectively shut out their rivals aided by some good display of pace, co-ordination and attack. England were found wanting in their offense and were largely pegged back in their own half for long periods. Scotland's Gavin Clark scored a hat-trick and received the Man of the Match award.
The Pre-Match Build Up.
The following report appeared in a Qatar daily newspaper, The Peninsula, on 30th April 2007.
England, Scotland annual football clash on May 4, 2007.Doha • Both England and Scotland have nominated their final squads of 22 players for this year’s renewal of the annual expatriate International football match, which will take place in Doha on May 4, with a 3:00pm kick off.
The annual match, sponsored this year by IBQ, had been cancelled in 2006 due to difficulties in obtaining a suitable stadium during the run up to the highly successful 2006 Doha Asian games held in December, and the stadium problem seems to have persisted even till now with the organising committee still waiting for final confirmation of the venue despite the match day being less than two weeks away. Committee representative Andy Wright confirmed that he is in negotiations with the British Embassy and the QFA (Qatar Football Federation) to ensure all arrangements will be in place prior to the match.
The England squad, sponsored by Apollo Enterprises, has had another good warm up this year playing in the inaugural CNAQ expat league. The England team looks to be in a good position to go on and win that round robin tournament despite losing many of their eligible players to rival teams and also losing some key players who left the country at the turn of the year. The long time England manager Richard Marsh has kept his team ticking over nicely while racking up some good scores in the warm up matches.
The Scotland squad, sponsored by Global Santa Fe, has somewhat of a new look this season as a number of regular squad members have either been injured, retired or recently moved out of Doha, but fortunately for Scotland an influx of new and slightly younger talent has moved in to take their place. Scotland were also forced to find a new management team this year and former match winning penalty taker Stuart Potter, ably assisted by former manager John McNeil and player-coach Paul Smith have settled into the post well, moulding the squad into a much more organised and capable outfit than they have been in the last two years.
The match will again be followed by a gala evening at the Intercontinental Hotel.
On The Day. England, Scotland set for interesting battle
Publish Date: Friday, 4 May, 2007.
A fascinating tussle is on cards when England and Scotland meet in the annual expatriate International football match at the Doha Stadium here today. The kick-off is scheduled for 3.30 pm. After running into last-minute problems over finding a venue, the decks have finally been cleared for hosting the match which is sponsored by IBQ this year.
The event which is eagerly awaited by the expatriate England and Scottish communities in Qatar was not held last year due to the difficulties in obtaining a suitable stadium in the build-up to the 2006 Doha Asian Games. England has enjoyed a greater share of success in the meetings between the two sides in the event which has been held here for nearly a decade now. But this time, the Scotland team, who are sponsored by Global Santa Fe, have been bolstered by the influx of young talent to replace their injured and retired players as well as those who have moved out of Qatar. With a new management which includes former match-winning penalty taker Stuart Potter assisted by former manager John McNeil and Paul Smith, Scotland have been moulded into a much more organised outfit than they were in the last two years. The England squad which is sponsored by Apollo Enterprises has had a good warm-up this year featuring in the inaugural CNAQ expat league despite losing key players who left the country. The long serving manager Richard Marsh has done well to keep his team's levels high. Despite the last-minute arrangements for this year's match, the organizers are optimistic about the event continuing to maintain its special place among the communities. "Though the venue hunting has been a problem this year I am sure it is definitely not going to dampen the spirits. It should be a great day out for the families and we are looking to have around 800-1000 fans at the match," said Mike Myers, a member of the organizing committee who also doubles up as the event's official photographer. "We would have ideally wanted to stage the match at the Al Sadd or Al Ahli club stadiums allowing for greater space for entertainment and other activities. But due to the difficulty in getting those venues due to various reasons we will strive to ensure the success of the event with the facilities we have," he said. "As far as the match goes I feel it should be interesting. England has a greater choice of players as they are a bigger community compared to the Scots. But the new-look Scotland team should prove a tough opposition." The event promises to be a colourful and fun family day, with singing of national anthems, face painting and flag waving. Entry to the stadium will be free.
The match will be followed by a gala evening function at the Intercontinental Hotel. The teams: Scotland: Ian Beattie, Russell Casey, Gavin Clark, Steve Cranham, Adam Djedid, Don Dunlop, Mark Fotheringham, Angus Goodrick, Craig Haggarty, Craig Johnston, Mike MacIntosh, Jim Marshall, John Morrison, Warren Murdoch, Graeme Pattison, Paul Reid, Sammy Rose, Cevan Sneddon, Stevie Swan, Andy Wright, Mal Zidd.
Manager: Stuart Potter. Assistant: John McNeil. Coach: Paul Smith
THE MATCH REPORT
Clark strikes hat-trick in Scotland victory
Publish Date: Saturday, 5 May, 2007, at 09:26 AM Doha Time
By John Verghese
A hat-trick by striker Gavin Clark enabled Scotland register a convincing 6-0 victory over England in the IBQ sponsored expatriate football international match at the Doha Stadium here yesterday.
Though a keen contest was expected between the teams, Scotland strengthened by the influx of young talent effectively shut out their rivals aided by some good display of pace, co-ordination and attack. England were found wanting in their offensives and were largely pegged back in their own half for long periods. Despite making a late rally in the latter session, England who enjoys a superior record in the annual duels saw their marksmanship deserting them at crucial moments. Scotland thus regained the trophy they lost to England in 2005. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the staging of the Asian Games in Doha.
Scotland manager Stuart Potter was delighted with the performance. “I am very proud of my players and cannot ask for anything better. The players worked hard and have finished on a high. There can’t be a better script,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to have reclaimed the trophy after our loss to England two years back. Clark did a wonderful job with timely and well-taken goals,” he added.
Three-goal hero Clark attributed the Scotland victory to the excellent teamwork displayed by the players. “It has been the best performance by our team and all the players worked hard for it. The guys did well to create the chances and it so happened that I found myself more often in a scoring position before the goalmouth,” said a modest Clark. “Manager Potter has been a great influence for the players. The game was won by a team which adapted better to the hot conditions. Scotland adapted better and won. The early goal against England gave us self-belief and thereafter things worked out fine for us,” he added.
England manager Richard Marsh was dejected with the performance. “We could not get our act together. Scotland were the better team on the day and thus deserved to win,” he said.
“It has been a great performance by Scotland and it is a great way to end a family day. The children and the families have had lots of fun cheering the teams,” said organizing committee member John Morrison.
Earlier, the match had a stirring start with Scotland forging ahead just two minutes into the game through a well aimed header by Derek Lyon, leaving the England keeper and captain Jason Caller stranded. Riding on the confidence of the early strike, Scotland continued to make inroads deep into the England half but the efforts of captain Mark Fotheringham and Mal Zidd failed to find the net. Thereafter England came up with a serious challenge in the 19th minute but Scotland goalkeeper Don Dunlop did well to grab the ball from the heel of England’s Jake Harris, after the player was put through by midfielder John Hanratty. But in the 27th minute, Angus Goodrick doubled the Scotland lead with a superb left-footer and thereafter striker Clark struck four minutes later with a brilliant header following a lob from the halfway line, to give Scotland a 3-0 advantage at the interval.
After the break, Clark slammed home his second goal in the 46th minute and then completed his hat trick, scoring from a goalmouth melee in the 62nd minute. Thereafter, another goal in the 80th minute by Mike Macintosh saw Scotland equalling the record for the highest scoring margin in the tournament.
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