Count it victory and three points, but Scotland saw off Haiti in their first game of the FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 victory.
It was John McGinn, the Aston Villa hardman, who repaid head coach Steve Clarke’s faith in him by firing Scotland to their first World Cup win in 36 years.
The victory over Haiti marked their return to the men’s tournament after a 28-year absence.
Clarke said pre-match that the selection of Aston Villa captain McGinn instead of Ryan Christie was “probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make” and challenged the 31-year-old to prove him right.
Despite a sharp start, Scotland were poor on the ball and grateful for their opponents’ profligacy.
Countless balls were swung into the box by the Caribbean side, and keeper Angus Gunn – who was chosen ahead of 43-year-old Craig Gordon, the oldest player at the tournament – was forced to remain on high alert.
The memories of past slip-ups against Costa Rica, Iran and Peru hung heavy in the air.
Despite that, McGinn had the opportunity to ease the Tartan Army’s growing concerns with 20 minutes remaining, but instead dragged his effort wide.
It made for an anxious ending – particularly when Frantzdy Pierrot directed a header wide – to a day fuelled by exhilaration and excitement.
The Scots return to Boston on Friday, 19 June, against Morocco to do it all again and know a point in their next two group games will likely guarantee progress.
Meanwhile, in the big game afterwards, Australia laid down their marker with a 2-0 victory over hapless Turkey that would be the talk of the day.
It was Turkey who dominated the stats, yet it was Australia who finished the game ahead in the only one that matters.
Australia were dirty and gritty as well, holding the ball for only 38.3 per cent compared to Turkey’s 61.7 per cent. Australia had nine shots to Turkey’s 30, with four shots on target for Australia while Turkey had eight.
The expected goals (xG) for Australia was 0.8, while Turkey’s was 1.3, yet Turkey could not breach Australia’s perfect defensive block despite everything they threw at them.
Nestroy Irankunda had put Australia ahead in the 27th minute of the game. Turkey, despite their dominance, came close but could not restore parity.
They came out firing in the second half, but for all their dominance and brilliance, Australia, through Connor Metcalfe, doubled their lead in the 75th minute to take maximum points.
(The Whistler)
