7th October 2021 Scotland U21 0 Denmark U21 1
Another trip to Tynecastle tonight for the U21 European. Championship qualifier between Scotland and Denmark. Had an early meal as game was kicking off at 19.05 as it was being shown live on BBC Scotland. Left home at around 18.10 and arrived at Tynecastle at 18.30. Picked up a copy of the free programme before entering g the ground where only the Main Stand was open. My ticket was for Section Q where I normally sit for Hearts matches. I knew Jim, Alex and Mattel were also attending. Despite having different seat numbers I did not think it would be a problem meeting up as I did not expect a large crowd. I was correct and we found four seats together in Section S where we settled for the kickoff.
Scotland were fourth sets in their five team group and todays game was against the top ranked side in the group, Denmark. Scotland had drawn their first match away in Turkey 1-1 and were looking for at least a point here to keep them in contention for a qualifying place. The starting eleven included only one Edinburgh based player, Josh Doig of Hibs, although Glenn Middleton of Rangers had a short loan spell with Hibs previously. Aaron Hickey, previously with Hearts and now starring in Serie A with Bologna had been included in the squad but was forced to withdraw due to injury. The substitutes include James Scott, currently on loan at His from Hull City and former Hearts Academy player Marc Leonard, now at Brighton. I knew nothing about the Danish side who were predominately home based. However they included in their squad players with Ajax- Victor Jensen, Eintracht Frankfurt-Jesper Lindstrom, and RB Lepzig-Maurits Kjaegoor so clearly there was talent in the squad.
Denmark had already shown their ability when Gastav Isaksen nutmegged Doig on the right and sped down the pitch before sending a low pass across gaol which was cleared by the Scotland defence. In the thirteenth minutes Kjaergoor sent a pass to Isaksen on the tight. The winger cut inside and from around twenty yards fired a shot at goal. The ball seemed to take an awkward bounce in front of the diving Cieran Slicker in the Scotland goal and found its way to the corner of the net. Scotland tried hard to get back into the game but seemed to lack a striker. Middleton, a winger normally, was playing in that role but lack a natural strikers instinct to move into goal scoring positions. Crosses into the box from Doig, jack Burroughs and Adam Montgomery we easily dealt with by the Danish defenders. The best chance for the home side came when full-back Harrison Ashby broke into the penalty box and tried to cut the balll across goal. The attempt however was cleared by the Danish defence on the edge of the six yard box. Denmark continued to worry the Scottish defence and forced saves from Slicker with effort from both Isaksen and Lindstrom before halftime.
Scotland improved in the second half escpcially after Dapo Mebude came on up front. The striker another Rangers Academy product spent time on loan at Queen of the South and Alex was pleased to see his appearance. Mebude was released by Rangers when his contract expired and signed for Watford who have loaned him out to AFC Wimbledon. His pace caused some problems for the Danes although he failed to trouble the keeper. Mebude was harshly shown a yellow card or a supposed dive moments after the referee ignored a similar situation in the Scotland penalty area. When will referee's realise that not every fall in the penalty area is a dive! Denmark had an excellent chance with a three on two break from the halfway line. Lindstrom ignored his support and ran through on goal but his attempt to flick the ball over the diving Slicker from around fifteen yards floated past the post. Middleton finally forced a save from Mads Hermansen in the Danish goal who pushed away a twenty yard shot for a corner. A free-kick for a foul on Mebude was fired past the post by Middleton again from around twenty yards. As the game moved into Injury time substitute Scott Banks forced Hermansen to dive to his right to push away a curling shot towards the top corner of the net. Denmark were deserved winners of the three post against a Scotland side that never gave up trying but lacked a cutting edge.
After the game I walked down to Haymarket with Alex before leaving him to head home through the colonies. Arrived back around 21.30 after what was an interesting rather than exciting game. I was impressed by the Danish side particularly Nartey in midfield who I am sure we will her more of in future years.
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