Scotland hoped to make the second half of the double header of Serbia and Macedonia something to celebrate rather than complain of what might have been. A 0-0 draw was not on the list of requirements for the first game on Saturday but a win is top of the list tonight. Ahead of the game there were 27 points up for grabs if Scotland are to get to Brazil for the World Cup in 2014. The weather was changeable all day today switching between a heat-wave and a downpour every half hour. Manager Craig Levein made a number of changes from the Serbia game without the help of the fans and only time will tell if they are the right ones. A settled side is often quoted as being a prerequisite for success. The squad may be settled but the team appears to be disrupted. I hope I am wrong. Macedonia were a different kettle of fish from Serbia with some purpose in their moves in the opening minutes. Scotland were not just sitting back admiring them with good link up play getting the ball near the visitors goal. The home defence needed to be alive to some sharp moves by Macedonia with crosses being sent in which. Scotland paid the price in the 11th minute for not clearing a short corner when number 4 Nikolche Noveski was on the end of some close and accurate passing to score the opening goal. A long night ahead I fear. Just after the goal, the speed of Mirko Ivanovski nearly got him on the end of a quick ball that beat the offside trap but thankfully the ball reached the by-line before the player reached the ball. Macedonia appeared to be able to walk up the park at the time of their own choosing which was a concern of the disgruntled fans. Sitting at 1-0 up they were not afraid to try things including pot-shots from distance. Scotland's attack seems to forget fundamentals when near the opposition box, like shouting 'man-on' when passing a ball to a colleague. The role of lead striker was once again taken by Kenny Miller but the Macedonians knew how to play him. His running and twists and turns have been around for a while and are well known. The crowd is willing Scotland forward but are having to do so from half-way inside their own half. Pity the steam runs out of the attacking threat by the time Scotland make it to the corresponding part of the pitch belonging to the visitors. Scotland did have a chance with a free-kick in the 32nd minute when Shaun Maloney's effort from two metres outside the box beat the wall and was punched clear by Martion Bogatinov. Macedonia lost Ivan Trichkovski to injury with eight minutes to go till half time being replaced by Ferhan Hasani. Thankfully Scotland equalised with two minutes to go till half-time. The much maligned Miller was on hand to slot the ball home after he moved round the back of the defence which was drawn to James Mackie on the left. There still appeared to be a lack of urgency in getting the ball forward by Scotland whereas Macedonia are happy to charge up the pitch in numbers. Hopefully the half-time talk will point this out to the players. The early stages of the second 45 did look as if a small rocket had been placed strategically under the team as they started off with a significant element of urgency in getting forward. This was short lived and the home side were pinned back for too many minutes for my liking around the ten minute mark. The pressure was on and sub Hasani hit a screamer which beat Allan McGregor and hit off his left hand post, thankfully, to safety. Scotland's passing was at times woeful with simple moves being directed to the visitors feet. Hopes were springing eternal with the sight of Jordan Rhodes getting stripped for action which he duly joined with 25 minutes to go. He certainly seemed to liven up the attack with a couple of close things at the left hand post of the visitors. The Macedonians were still quick to turn defence into attack and McGregor had to be lively to block a shot at point blank range. Steven Naismith made his entrance to the game with 14 minutes to go at the cost of Mackie. Unfortunately, the change made little difference to the opportunities for Scotland to break the deadlock. The last 15 minutes were a period of frustration as Macedonia were ale to deal with anything thrown at them and there were boos ringing rounds the stadium when the final whistle below. Is it too soon to forget all about travelling to Rio? With Serbia winning 6-1 over Wales and Croatia and Belgium delivering the same score as Scotland-Macedonia there may be plenty of life in the group just yet. Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Dixon, Berra, Caldwell, Forrest, Maloney, Webster, Miller, Morrison, MackieSubs: Marshall, Hanley, Rhodes, Adam, Snodgrass, Naismith, Cowie, Dorrans, McCormack, Samson, Phillips, Forster Macedonia: Bogatinov, Georgievski, Popov, Noveski, Shikov, Trichkovski, Pandev, Gligorov, Demiri, Ibraimi, IvanovskiSubs: Pachovski, Naumovski, Mojsov, Grncharov, Ristiko, Tasevski, Lazevski, Hasani, Gjorgiev, Shumulikoski Attendance: 32,438 Referee: Sergey Karasev (Russia)
Source: FOOTYMAD
