retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Saturday September 8, 2005
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of Scotland’s final World Cup qualifier in Croatia. A win today will make sure that Scotland qualify as group winners - any other result will likely mean having to endure a playoff. The U21s gave a great example to the seniors last night Andy.

AG - They did indeed as they demolished the Croatian youngsters 5-0. John Slaven of Rangers scored a hat trick and Kevin Hughes of Man City scored twice. They are both in outstanding for at present and it’ll be interesting to see if they’ll be able to make the step up to the full team over the next few years.

RK - And Scotland’s team news for today’s game?

AG - Maurice Ross comes back into defence, Jim Paterson and Robbie Neilson take over as wingbacks and Stephen Pearson replaces Parker behind the front two. Wolves in-form striker Kenny Miller gets a rare call up as Craig Dargo is injured and he has a place on the bench.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Steven Hampshire Steven Craig Stephen Pearson Charlie Miller (C) Stephen CosgroveJim Paterson Michael Stewart Robbie Neilson Lee Wilkie Maurice Ross Neill Sullivan SubstitutesJamie LangfieldRobert MalcolmScott WalkerMark KerrStevie NicholasKiegan ParkerKenny Miller</pre>

RK - Can they get the win they need this afternoon?

AG - I believe that they can. They have been in such good form and remain unbeaten in the group. It would be a real blow if they don’t qualify outright.

RK - We’ll certainly be keeping our fingers crossed then. First a short break and then it’s over to Split for the first half live and we’ll be back with you at half time.

retired_amyslack

World Cup 2006 Qualifying Game 10
Half Time
Croatia 0 Scotland 3 (Cosgrove 28, 45, Paterson 43)

RK - What a first half performance by Scotland Andy.

AG - Absolutely superb Richard - full of fire and passion and no little skill as well.

RK - And Stephen Cosrgove has been absolutely outstanding.

AG - He’s been the inspiration that’s for sure. He set the tone from the off when he hit the post inside the first 5 minutes. Let’s look at the lead up to the goal. This is not a bad move from Croatia as the build from the back and Klasnic moves forward with purpose before sending in the shot. Good save from Sullivan at the expense of a corner. That’s not a cross though and Cosgrove takes control of the ball. He hits it long to Hampshire, nice flick to find Craig. No doubt about the foul there, the youngster was having the shirt pulled off his back. Cosgrove places the ball for the free kick - great strike from the Man City man to open the scoring.

RK - Croatia worked hard to get back into it but the Scots never looked threatened.

AG - We look solid defensively and the midfield are working hard to deny time and space.

RK - But then two goals in a devastating two-minute spell and the game’s as good as over.

AG - Never say never Richard but it does look good I must admit. Let’s check out the goals. Cosgrove wins the ball in midfield, Stewart’s there in support to take the pass and he plays it into the area. Now look at this run from Paterson to get on the end of it, and that’s a great finish. Croatia are really pushing up now and Scotland catch them on the break. Cosgrove finds Craig, he holds it up well as Cosgrove continues his run. Craig lays it back to Hampshire, first time into Cosgrove’s path. Nice control to take it round the defender and boy did he get hold of the shot. 3-0 and it’s looking very good.

RK - Well let’s hope that the second half holds more of the same. We’ll take a break but we’ll be back after the second half commentary.

retired_michman524

"Easy Easy Easy"

retired_amyslack

World Cup 2006 Qualifying Game 10
Full Time
Croatia 0 Scotland 4 (Cosgrove 28, 45, Paterson 43, Pearson 48)

RK - Well that’s it Andy - a terrific win for Scotland and they’re on their way to Germany.

AG - Absolutely. If there was any doubt then Stephen Pearson’s goal at the start of the second half made certain of the win. It’s a simple goal too. Sullivan with a long goal kick that finds Paterson, he makes some ground and then sends in an absolute peach of a cross to the near post and Pearson has an easy header for the 4th goal.

RK - Croatia had a couple of chances but nothing that seriously bothered Neil Sullivan.

AG - I think when we see that statistics that they only managed one shot on target. Not that Scotland threatened much for the rest of the game, but then we didn’t need to.

RK - OK, let’s go over to Split and get the reaction of Berti Wogts who is talking to Geoff Shreeves.


GS - Congratulations on a wonderful win Berti.

BW - Zank you very much Geoff, it vas a very good result, ja. It is marvellous to haff won ze group und so not having to go through ze playoffs.

GS - So now you go back to your homeland next summer to participate in the World Cup Finals. Will that be an emotional time for you?

BW - It vill be most emotional ja. Especially if ve happen to be drawn vis ze hosts.

GS - Having reached the final of Euro 2004 there will be strong expectations in Scotland that the team will do well.

BW - Zer is big expectations in ze team zat ze team vill do vell. Ve are all very confident - I have really great players und ve vill really enjoy ze competition.

GS - Thanks for speaking to us Berti and congratulations once again.


RK - And now for the match statistics.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Croatia Scotland4 Shots on Goal 91 On Target 53 Off Target 42 Corners 15 Free Kicks 114 Offsides 01 Yellow Cards 00 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - And what about Man of the Match Andy?

AG - There’s only one possible choice after that performance - Stephen Cosgrove. The 24-year-old was immense and with Charlie Miller in such good form it’s far from certain that Barry Ferguson will walk back into the team when he returns from injury.

RK - Let’s have a check on the other group games.

AG - Russia had a 3-1 win in Malta to confirm second place and Bosnia brushed aside visiting Moldova 5-1. So this is how the final table looks.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Scotland 10 5 0 0 15 2 3 2 0 13 5 26 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Russia 10 4 1 0 13 2 4 0 1 13 7 25 3rd Bosnia 10 3 1 1 13 7 2 1 2 6 7 17 4th Croatia 10 1 2 2 8 9 2 0 3 13 8 11 5th Malta 10 1 0 4 6 16 0 1 4 1 17 4 6th Moldova 10 0 1 4 2 13 0 1 4 3 13 2</pre>

RK - We’re going to take another break now but when we return Andy will take a look at how all of the other groups have finished.

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Saturday September 8, 2005
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Welcome back. Now for a look at the other groups.

AG - Well in Group 1 Holland were unbeaten and top the table with Yugoslavia going into the playoffs. The key game there was last month’s 2-0 win for Holland at home to Yugoslavia - that was a real 6-pointer.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Holland 8 4 0 0 14 3 3 1 0 9 1 22 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Yugoslavia 8 3 1 0 9 1 2 1 1 6 3 17 3rd FYROM 8 2 1 1 6 5 1 0 3 3 8 10 4th Switzerland 8 2 0 2 4 7 1 0 3 4 6 9 5th Latvia 8 0 0 4 0 8 0 0 4 2 15 0 </pre>


AG - Group 2 was very tight and England went into their final game against Belarus needing a win to qualify. Fortunately goals from Ugo Ehiogu and Joe Cole gave them a 2-0 win and consigned Belarus to the playoffs.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q England 8 4 0 0 12 1 1 2 1 2 2 17 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Belarus 8 4 0 0 6 1 1 0 3 3 6 15 3rd Slovakia 8 1 3 0 4 3 1 1 2 1 6 10 4th Sweden 8 1 1 2 4 3 0 2 2 2 5 6 5th Estonia 8 1 2 1 1 1 0 1 3 1 8 6 </pre>


AG - Portugal breezed through Group 3 and qualified with ease with Finland just edging into the playoffs on goal difference.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Portugal 8 4 0 0 12 2 2 2 0 6 2 20 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Finland 8 2 2 0 8 0 1 1 2 7 6 12 3rd Bulgaria 8 2 2 0 8 5 1 1 2 5 9 12 4th N.Ireland 8 1 2 1 6 6 0 2 2 2 8 7 5th Azerbaijan 8 0 1 3 2 9 0 1 3 2 11 2 </pre>


AG - Both the Czech Republic and Poland came through Group 5 undefeated but there were too many draws for the Poles who finish second with the Czechs winning the group.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Czech Republic 8 3 1 0 8 0 3 1 0 6 1 20 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Poland 8 2 2 0 7 0 2 2 0 5 1 16 3rd Ukraine 8 2 1 1 10 4 2 1 1 7 5 14 4th Israel 8 1 0 3 3 8 1 0 3 5 10 6 5th Armenia 8 0 0 4 3 12 0 0 4 1 14 0</pre>


AG - France and Greece had a ding-dong battle in Group 7 with the Greeks heading the table going into the last match against their rivals. But a 2-0 win for France in Paris allowed them to leapfrog their opponents and qualify directly leaving Greece to contend a playoff.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q France 10 5 0 0 16 2 3 1 1 11 4 25 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Greece 10 4 1 0 15 5 4 0 1 8 3 25 3rd Norway 10 3 1 1 9 4 1 2 2 5 10 15 4th Albania 10 2 1 2 4 3 1 1 3 4 11 11 5th Wales 10 1 2 2 5 8 0 2 3 4 9 7 6th San Marino 10 0 1 4 2 11 0 0 5 1 14 1</pre>


AG - Seven wins and only 1 defeat sent Italy through from Group 8 with Turkey gaining the playoff place.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Italy 8 4 0 0 17 1 3 0 1 9 3 21 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Turkey 8 3 1 0 10 3 2 1 1 7 5 17 3rd Iceland 8 2 1 1 6 5 2 0 2 5 9 13 4th Austria 8 1 0 3 5 7 0 2 2 3 9 5 5th Luxembourg 8 0 1 3 2 9 0 0 4 1 14 1</pre>


AG - In Group 8 Spain and Denmark were neck and neck all the way but the Spaniards qualified as group winners by the narrowest of margins leaving the Danes to fight out a playoff.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Spain 10 5 0 0 13 2 3 1 1 10 3 25 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Denmark 10 5 0 0 15 2 3 1 1 7 4 25 3rd Slovenia 10 3 0 2 11 6 1 1 3 2 8 13 4th Hungary 10 2 2 1 3 1 1 0 4 2 11 11 5th Lithuania 10 2 1 2 5 7 0 1 4 3 13 8 6th Faroe Islands 10 0 2 3 5 11 0 1 4 5 13 3</pre>


AG - And finally in Group 9 there was heartbreak for Ireland as a 2-2 draw with Romania in Dublin in their final game allowed their opponents to win the group on goal difference with the Irish in the playoffs. This was a very tight group with only two points separating the top four.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Romania 10 5 0 0 14 2 2 1 2 13 7 22 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Ireland 10 4 1 0 16 4 3 0 2 11 8 22 3rd Georgia 10 4 0 1 17 6 2 1 2 7 7 19 4th Belgium 10 3 1 1 10 5 3 0 2 10 8 19 5th Andorra 10 1 0 4 3 13 0 0 5 4 17 3 6th Cyprus 10 1 0 4 4 15 0 0 5 0 17 3</pre>

RK - Thanks Andy. That’s all for us this fine afternoon as we celebrate Scotland’s progress to Germany 2006. We’ll be back with you next month for the playoff matches and we’ll look forward to seeing you all then.

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Saturday November 12, 2005
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the first leg matches in the World Cup qualification European playoffs. We’ll start by taking a quick look at the draw. First up Belarus and Ireland.

AG - Well Belarus ran England close but I fancy the Irish to see them off over two legs.

RK - Then we have Denmark against Turkey.

AG - Well Turkey did manage a win over Italy in the qualifying group but I really fancy that the European Champions will be too strong for the Turks.

RK - How about Russia and Greece.

AG - This could be the closest of them all. Both countries had excellent qualifying campaigns but I think that Greece may just edge it.

RK - And now Yugoslavia and Poland.

AG - I’d be surprised if the Yugoslavs don’t get through this one as I really don’t see the Poles being strong enough over two legs.

RK - And finally we have Uzbekistan and Finland.

AG - This is one of the oddities of the qualification process. As Finland had the worst record of all of the second placed teams they end up playing the winner of the Asian regional playoff. No offence to our friends from Uzbekistan but it seems to me that they have the easiest game of the lot.

RK - Thanks Andy. We’ll be back with you at full time to take a look at the best of the action.

retired_brinker317

This is still excellent - well done in the groups :thup:

Stephen Cosgrove was immense on 01/02, I had a good game with Motherwell and he was easily the best player I had. His brother Mark is good IRL as well (well, he was at 5-a-side when we tested 01/02 anyway )

retired_michman524

Can you post the full squad that you normally pick please?

retired_amyslack

d_s, I'm amazed at how effective Cosgrove is. Him and Charlie Miller are now Berti's first choice midfield with Kerr and Ferguson next in line.

jambo - the squad for the World Cup Finals will shortly be revealed.

Sky Sports
Saturday November 12, 2005
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - So let’s have a look at the results then Andy.

AG - A narrow win for Ireland in Belarus thanks to an Ian Harte penalty that sets them up well for the return in Dublin.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Belarus 0 Ireland 1 Harte (pen) 34</pre>

AG - Denmark proved to be far too strong for Turkey and three goals in ten minutes in the first half has probably made this tie safe.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Denmark 3 Turkey 0Pedersen 22, 32Sand 29</pre>

AG - It was an excellent game in Moscow with Russia taking a 3-1 lead to Athens but Greece do have an away goal. The Greeks played the last half hour with 10 men which didn’t help their cause.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Russia 3 Greece 1Khokhlov 13, 19 Vryzas 28Bystrov 41</pre>

AG - Poland hung on well after conceding an early goal but the second for Yugoslavia near the end may prove crucial.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Yugoslavia 2 Poland 0Stefanovic 8Stankovic 82</pre>

AG - Finland dominated their game in Toshkent with Uzbekistan never looking remotely like scoring.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Uxbekistan 0 Finland 3 Forssell 56, 60 Vayrynen 65</pre>

RK - Well there we are. Some entertaining football there and we’ll look forward to having your company on Wednesday for the second legs.

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Wednesday November 16, 2005
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good evening and thanks for joining us as we look forward to the second leg ties in the World Cup qualification European playoffs. How do you see things going Andy?

AG - Well Ireland have a 1-0 lead for their game against Belarus in Dublin and I can see them adding to that total. Denmark travel to Turkey with a 3-goal lead and I can’t see them blowing that. Russia visit Athens with a 3-1 advantage but that away goal may be important and Greece might just get through. Poland are chasing a 2-goal deficit at home to Yugoslavia and I can’t see them making that up. Finally Finland have a comfortable 3-0 lead to defend in Helsinki and it looks all over for Uzbekistan to me.

RK - OK Andy, we’ll be back at full time to review all of the final scores.