GLASGOW, 16 November 2003 — Scotland staked their claim to a place at Euro 2004 yesterday when they upset the Netherlands 1-0 in the first leg of their playoff at Hampden Park.
Winger James McFadden fired Scotland’s winner in the 22nd minute to give Berti Vogts’ unfancied side a slender advantage going into next Wednesday’s second leg at the Amsterdam Arena.
Scotland rode their luck as chances fell to Frank De Boer, Jaap Stam and Clarence Seedorf, but the Dutch strike pairing of Patrick Kluivert and Ruud van Nistelrooy failed to ignite.
McFadden, 20, smacked home a deflected shot after working a neat one-two with 19-year-old Darren Fletcher, but the Scots had to weather intense Dutch pressure in the closing minutes to hold on to their win.
A late booking for Stam means he will be suspended for the second leg.
Norwich Miss Out on Top Spot After Home Defeat
In London, Norwich City missed the chance to go top of the first division yesterday, losing 2-1 at home to Watford.
Scott Fitzgerald and Neil Cox scored Watford’s goals and Ryan Jarvis’ reply was too late to salvage the only 100 percent home record left in the English professional game this season.
Norwich stay third behind leaders West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United, both of whom were not playing due to international matches. Reading climbed into sixth place as John Salako scored the only goal at home to Millwall. Wimbledon stay bottom despite a 2-1 win at Gillingham.
England Team’s Patience With FA Runs Thin
In Manchester, England’s players warned the Football Association yesterday they were fast losing patience with the ruling body over controversial selection issues.
“The relationship with the FA is not good but that’s down to the two situations that has been recognized by everyone in the country,” captain David Beckham told a news conference yesterday.
Striker Alan Smith was called up then dropped in space of a few hours on Thursday when the FA learned he had been arrested and was out on bail over an alleged bottle-throwing incident during a League Cup tie against Manchester United last month.
