Scotland 1-0 Czech Republic: Craig Levein Begins New Era With Victory

Posted Thursday, March 04, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

Craig Levein's Scotland drew first blood in the battle for a Euro 2012 spot with victory over the Czech Republic.

Both nations will go head to head in group I, but a second half strike from Scott Brown may just swing the psychological edge the way of the Scots.

With James McFadden failing to prove his fitness during the afternoon, Graham Dorrans took his place on the left of midfield, behind the lone striker Kenny Miller.

Kris Boyd had to settle for a place on the bench despite his much anticipated return to the squad after he walked away during the last campaign.

The Tartan Army had been promised since the draw was made for the Euro 2012 qualifiers that the Czech Republic were a team in transition and not the side they once were. However, the visitors were keen to prove otherwise and started the brightest of the two sides, going close after five minutes when good one touch passing finished with Jaroslav Plasil drilling a low shot just wide of the near post.

Plasil again was handed an opportunity five minutes later, this time a close range header from a free-kick gifted as Scotland struggled to cope with the Czech's impressive wide play.

Scotland were taking their time to get used to Craig Levein's new system, and the first twenty minutes was to be dominated by a sharp looking Czech side.

However, two free-kicks apart that were conceded by rash Kevin Thomson fouls, Scotland were not looking in serious danger.

The hosts were creating their own problems though and after Darren Fletcher uncharacteristically gave the ball away cheaply in the middle, Vaclav Sverkos looked set to make it 1-0 but was denied by a fine stop by Craig Gordon.

Graham Dorrans was called into defensive action in the 30th minute when the first corner of the game caused panic in the area, and Dorrans had to be quick to clear a goalbound header off the line.

Buoyed by his clearance, Dorrans began to make an impact at the other end of the pitch, twice winning corners as Scotland began to trouble their visitors down the left flank.

It had taken Scotland 40 minutes, but now they were beginning to play, stretch the Czechs, and get down both wings. However Jaroslav Drobny had not been forced into a save in anger in the first 45 minutes up until a last minute free-kick from Barry Robson, whose left foot curler almost nicked the lead for the Scots.

Christophe Berra and Paul Hartley entered the fray at half-time, replacing Andy Webster and Kevin Thomson respectively.

Craig Gordon when fit will always be Scotland's number one, and he showed why again in the 53rd minute with another top save. Sverkos's well struck shot was on target until the Sunderland goalkeeper was able to confidently palm it over the bar.

Paul Hartley was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when he appeared to bundle over his man inside the area, however the referee didn't want to know and the Scots remained unscathed despite another shaky beginning to the half.

Against the run of play, and after 340 minutes without a goal for Scotland fans to celebrate, Scott Brown notched the first one of Craig Levein's Scotland tenure.

For the first time in the game, dark blue shirts poured forward, Lee Wallace's cross was beautifully knocked down into the path of Brown whose outstretched left foot directed the ball into the net.

Minutes later, the roars continued as Kris Boyd emerged from the dugout, with cheers overriding any jeers that may have rang out.

It was to continue to be a more encouraging second half from Scotland, with Hartley's introduction allowing Brown, Dorrans and Fletcher the opportunity to get forward more often, pushing the Czechs back and offering real hope to the Tartan Army ahead of the qualifying campaign.

Only the legs of Drogny denied Stephen Whittaker a goal as Scotland pushed for a second late on. It may have been slightly undeserved, with the Czechs giving them a pummelling at the beginning, but Craig Levein's era as Scotland manager begins in a positive vein.