By Ross Hart
Scotland bounced back from Saturday’s opening defeat to Macedonia to defeat Iceland 2-1 in Reykjavik in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. Goals from debutant Kirk Broadfoot and James McFadden sealed victory for George Burley’s men, despite Eidur Gudjohnsen netting from the spot after Stephen McManus was red carded.
Burley was full of optimism prior to kick off that the World Cup dream would be back on track and after being criticised following the match in Skopje, he made three changes to his starting line up. Out went Paul Hartley, Graham Alexander and Kenny Miller to be replaced by Broadfoot, Kris Commons and Shaun Maloney.
This prompted the manager to ditch his 4-4-2 system to go with McFadden as the lone striker, with Commons and Maloney providing support in a 4-5-1 come 4-3-3 when Scotland were attacking.
In the opening minutes the Scots started in a positive fashion, zipping the ball from back to front in a confident manner but it was the home side who had the opening chances. Aaron Gunnarson fired in an angled drive which Craig Gordon punched clear with relative ease before Gudjohnsen spurned a great opportunity, firing well over from only 12 yards out.
Broadfoot was the first name to go in the book following a late challenge on the flying Emil Hallfredsson before Scotland opened the scoring on 18 minutes.
An inswinging corner from Barry Robson was met perfectly on the run by Broadfoot to send the massed ranks of Tartan Army inside the Laugardalsvollur stadium delirious.
The Scots looked to build on their lead and only a last ditch tackle from Kristjan Orn Sigurdsson prevented McFadden tapping home Maloney’s low ball across the six yard box. McFadden then played a brilliant ball in but there were no Scottish jerseys on hand to capitalise.
Just before the interval though, Scotland were indebted to skipper McManus as he cleared a Herman Hreidarsson effort from the line.
Iceland began the second period very much on the front foot, with Gudjohnsen especially working into some good positions but the final ball towards their talismanic Barcelona striker let them down.
And the Scots made them pay on the hour mark as Sigurdsson crudely felled McFadden in the area to give Scotland a penalty. The hero of Paris stepped up and although his initial effort was saved, he was on hand along with Barry Robson to bundle the rebound home for a two nil lead.
Scotland at this stage were looking like coasting to recording Burley’s first win as manager but with 13 minutes to go, made life difficult for themselves once more. Under pressure from Helguson McManus inexplicably handled a cross ball and was duly sent off by the Belgian referee. Gudjohnsen scored the spot kick to hand the home team a lifeline.
Burley withdrew Maloney for Alexander and McFadden for Hartley as Scotland faced a nervy final 10 minutes. Helguson from around 15 yards hammered a shot towards goal but the impressive Gary Caldwell threw himself at the ball to block.
But that was as close as Iceland came and Scotland held on to maintain their 100% winning record against Iceland and put themselves back in the qualifying picture ahead of Norway’s visit to Hampden Park next month.
Scotland: Gordon; Broadfoot, McManus, Caldwell, Naysmith; Maloney (Alexander 79), Robson, D Fletcher, Brown, Commons (Miller 63); McFadden (Hartley 80).
Subs not used: McGregor, Boyd, S Fletcher, Berra.
Goals: Broadfoot (18), McFadden (60).
