Joe Chalmers
Kilmarnock’s Matthew Kennedy was the Scotland hero as Ross Mathie’s u-17 side beat Slovakia 2-0 this afternoon.
Joe Chalmers
The result means that Scotland go into their final match against the Czech Republic needing a win to qualify as group winners after the Czech’s beat Italy 2-1.
There were five Celtic players in today’s Scotland side with Joe Chalmers and Marcus Fraser in defence, John Herron and Lewis Kidd in midfield and Islam Feruz in attack.
Coach Mathie said: “I’m absolutely delighted. We now have a winner-takes-all match. We only get one bite of the cherry to win the game and we will try and take it.
“If you are going to go through, you have got to win games and we are never a side who goes out to draw. I am sure Italy would have liked to be in our situation.”
Islam Feruz had the first chance of the match in the 19th minute but his shot was tipped over the bar by the Slovakian keeper.
Kennedy opened the scoring with a solo effort in the 49th minute then doubled Scotland’s advantage in the 62nd minute with a header following a corner from John Herron.
In the other group match Italy took a fourth minute lead against the Czech Republic but were ko’d by goals from Dominic Masek and Michael Luftner.
Scotland face the Czech’s on Monday needing to win while a draw would be good enough to take the Czech’s through to the European Championship finals in May.
SCOTLAND: Hamilton: Fraser, Grimmer, Chalmers, Slater; Herron, Polworth, Naismith, Kidd; Kennedy, Feruz
SUBS: Wightman, Erwin, Smith (Kennedy 75), Lindsay
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