No nice weather to welcome the Soceroos in Edinburgh. After what was a reasonable day, the rain which fell steadily from around 5:30 was going to be a factor by the time the sides from Scotland and Australia took to the Easter Road pitch. The weather looks as if it would be affecting the 'sell out' crowd advertised ahead of the game. There was still cash gates open when I wandered along around 7pm which worried me a bit. In the pub or at home with a beer and watch it on the box or get wet while staying dry? Tough call. Significant gaps in all the stands at 7:50 as the teams took their places for the national anthems but those that were here made sure that both were sung with gusto. The Soceroo fans were to be found in the top tier of the south stand and made their presence heard. Scotland had the first chance when the ball was fired across by Robert Snodgrass when the defence thought he had lost the ball to a by-kick. Jordan Rhodes was in the perfect place to take advantage of the lack of cover in the box but the ball hit his foot and spun straight up and over his head to be scooped to safety by Mark Schwarzer in goal for the visitors. The home side maintained the pressure on the Australian defence on the right with Rhodes being the target man. He did not seem overawed by his starting position and took every opportunity to get the ball heading towards the net at speed. head or foot, it didn't matter to the Huddersfield player. His enthusiasm seems to have been infectious as the support players to Rhodes solo striker role were also willing to try their luck from distance on the slippery surface, with Schwarzer happy to grasp a Steven Naismith effort in the 16 minute. Scotland were playing high up the park with players willing to move into spaces to provide options. Not something I am used to seeing when watching Scotland. The tactic of getting the ball into the box for Australia to deal with may yet pay off as the visiting keeper was having difficulty in holding the ball at the first attempt. Typical that the Aussies were denied what appeared to be a golden opportunity for a goal on 18 minutes. Bodies were thrown all over the place in the box protecting Allan McGregor's goal with at least one Scotland arm belonging to an outfield player looking to have prevented the ball going in. The resultant corner was not dealt with well and the ball fell to Mark Bresciano on 25 meters who fired in a unstoppable ball for the Australians to go one up. McGregor had to limp off shortly after the goal, to be replaced by Matt Gilks, after being injured in the original mêlée that led to the corner/goal. Another change came in the 29 minute when Shaun Maloney replaced James Morrison. he goal had knocked some of the verve out of Scotland's running and boosted the visitors. It was down to magic Rhodes to change all that. He had been there or there about all night and this time his persistence told. A cross from the left from Daniel Fox found Rhodes and a defender just in front of the keeper, Rhodes just moved slightly in front of the defender somehow and bulleted the ball into the net to put the scores back to all square. Not the type of goal from a Scotland player you will see everyday but worth the wait. Scotland were then back on the front foot with chances raining in on the visitors goal. With a bit of luck, Scotland could have gone in at half-time with another goal under their belt. However, the second half is something to look forward to and that is not often said about a Scotland game. The second half started with Scotland still with their tails up. The right flank seemed to be a profitable route to the opportunity box but the speed of thought and movement just not matching up to get a genuine effort in on goal. Rhodes had attracted a pair of Australian defenders which may allow some space for others to profit by. Scotland need to get a goal for all their procession in the Australian half. Especially as the visitors were still keen to get a goal of their own. Gilks had to be lively to turn a powerful shot round his post for a corner which thankfully came to nothing. In the end both sides managed to get the goal. Australia finally crumbled to a quick attack down the middle where Rhodes managed to get the ball out the the left before being the meat in a sandwich. The ball was crossed in by Fox and headed home by Jason Davidson as he attempted to get the ball over the bar. The threat of Rhodes was withdrawn in the 28 minute of the second half to be replaced by Ross McCormack. The Australians must have been glad to see that change. However, not sure how they would have felt with the withdrawal of Fox to be replaced by Charlie Mulgrew on the 75 minute mark. And manager Craig Levein's decision to replace Rhodes with McCormack paid of with ten minutes to go. Just after some colleagues in the press box were questioning the sharpness of Naismith, he was fleet of foot enough to get the ball to the Leeds players who shrugged off the defenders he inherited from his predecessor and fired in a goal to provide some degree of comfort for the home side. A 3-1 lead is better to read than a 5-1 result in May. Scotland were well in control as the game wore on and substitutes disrupted the flow of the game with Ian Black making an appearance for Scotland. I know it was Australia but win is a win and seeing Rhodes, who deservedly won man of the match, as a viable strike option is something to be welcomed. Now we look forward to a more challenging game against Serbia on 8 September as the road to Brazil 2014 begins. Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Fix, Berra, Caldwell, Webster, Snodgrass, Naismith, Rhodes, Adam, MorrisonSubs: Gilks, Goodwillie, Mulgrew, Phillips, McCormack, Maloney, Cowire, Black, Marshall, Bannan, Martin. Australia: Schwarzer, Neill, Wlliams, Ognenovski, Wilkshire, Carney, Holman, Valeri, Kruse, Brosque, BrescianoSubs: Thompson, McDonald, angerak, McGowan, Jedinak, Federici, Kilkenny, Davidson Attendance: 11,110Referee: Tom Hagen (Norway)
Source: FOOTYMAD
