Scotland head into this evening’s vital World Cup Qualifying encounter against the Netherlands at Hampden knowing that victory is all but essential if the nation’s hopes of reaching the final stages of the tournament in South Africa next year are to be kept alive.
Three points against Bert van Marwijk’s side, who warmed up for tonight’s clash with a 3-0 defeat of Japan at the weekend, will not guarantee George Burley’s men a place in the play-offs of the European Qualifying Zone, but are effectively a must if the Tartan Army are to progress from Group 9.
The Scots, who battled to victory over Macedonia at the weekend courtesy of goals from Celtic’s Scott Brown and Birmingham City’s James McFadden, know that they face a formidable challenge if they are to overcome their opponents who have already booked their place at next year’s finals after clinching top spot in the group.
George Burley will not be able to deploy the skills of McFadden who is suspended after picking up a booking in Saturday’s fixture. It has been reported that the Scotland manager, will, in fact, make five changes to the side that triumphed against the Macedonians with Shaun Maloney, Steven Naismith, Steven Whittaker and Paul Hartley stepping in for Graham Alexander, Steven Fletcher, the injured Callum Davidson and McFadden whilst David Marshall, Neil Alexander and Jamie Langfield will battle it out for a place in goal with Craig Gordon failing a late fitness test.
It is anticipated that Burley will employ the same 4-3-3 formation that led to success at the weekend with Maloney and Naismith providing support from the wing for the ever industrious Kenny Miller. David Weir and Stephen McManus are expected to continue to partner one another in defence after a solid display in Saturday’s 2-0 win.
Burley is well aware of the challenge facing his men and has outlined the importance of focussing on victory before results elsewhere in Europe are considered:
“It’s a big opportunity, a huge task but one that we are looking forward to…If we win the game, then it takes care of itself.”
The Scotland boss continued: “It is one of the most exciting games of my managerial career, one to look forward to and there is everything to play for. It doesn’t come any bigger.”
Meanwhile, the Dutch are expected to field their strongest possible side with Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder reportedly fit to play after suffering an injury in the victory over Japan, but goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has been ruled out. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst should lead his country out of the Hampden tunnel as the Dutch aim to make it eight wins out of eight in their qualifying campaign.
Coach, Van Marwijk stated: “The team will be experienced. This is a serious game for us and our best players will play.”
It is more than likely that Scotland, should they manage to beat the Netherlands, will have an anxious month’s wait to learn their World Cup fate with the remaining eight groups in Europe not being finalised until October 14th.
The Hampden crowd will be hoping to be something of a 12th man to their side, roaring them to what would be a remarkable victory; a victory that could prove to eclipse that of 2003 over a similarly gifted Netherlands team, and that could, potentially, lay down the platform for the nation to reach the final stages of an international competition for the first time since the World Cup was held in France in 1998.
