Scotland running out of time to find their way
Scotland 1-1 Ukraine: The big match verdict as Scotland leave it late again at Hampden
Four games into the World Cup qualifying campaign and five into Pedro Martinez Losa’s tenure as manager, Scotland still look like a side finding their way. But, they’re almost out of time to find it.
Against Ukraine on Friday it was another laboured performance. For the second time in as many games at Hampden, Scotland scored late. Abi Harrison’s late equaliser saved a point after Rachel Corsie’s 90th minute winner spared blushes against Hungary a month ago.
Martinez Losa’s side are still getting up to speed with the new possession-based style the Spaniard is trying to implement, but with a Ukraine-Spain double header in April to follow this one, they have scant time to improve on what have been below-par performances in the last few games.
It was another match where Scotland dominated the ball but struggled to create meaningful chances. The midfield trio of Lucy Graham, Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert often drifted apart and were easily bypassed and nullified by their counterparts.
Their performances again highlighted the conundrum facing the Scotland boss as to how best he deploys his best players. Both Weir and Cuthbert seemed to operate in free roles but neither looked able to take control of the game.
It gave the sense of a lack of conviction going forward. Lisa Evans and Christy Grimshaw found space out wide, in part due to the Ukraine set up, but their crosses often only had one target in lone striker Harrison. Missing, at least until the second half, were the late runs from midfield to give the Ukraine defence more to worry about.
Credit should go though to Ukraine. Disciplined, organised, and with a structured plan they frustrated the home side, denying space in the middle of the pitch, and limiting attacking threats.
They looked most effective on the break and certainly had their chances. There was even the slow withdrawal back to their own penalty area as the game wore on, as defenders put their bodies on the line in an attempt to preserve the lead, followed inevitably by the late heartache for the visiting fans when the equaliser went in.
Scotland again looked utterly reliant on a moment of individual brilliance to bring them level. Cuthbert did her best to oblige crashing round with increasing fury as the game wore on, she put herself at the heart of everything in the final 30 minutes.
Instead of magic, Scotland got a mistake. Schmatko’s misjudged header produced the opening that brought redemption for Harrison, who had spurned a good chance to score in the first half.
Spanish test for leaky defence
If cutting edge in the final third has been a concern, then the other pressing problem for Martinez Losa is lumbering up right behind it - the leaks at the back.
The goals conceded to Hungary and the Faroe Islands were avoidable, more chances in a similar vein occurred on Friday. The opener being just one of a number of worrying moments for the backline.
They may be in for more sleepless nights before Tuesday’s tie in Seville. The Spanish have scored 35 goals in their last four matches. Confidence in the final third is not something they are lacking. If Scotland show the same issues at the back it could prove to be chastening experience.
With all the doom and gloom should come the necessary caveats. Grabbing a point at the death is much better than the loss that was on the cards. Three wins and a draw from the opening four games of the campaign under a new manager implementing a new style is no disaster. Neither would defeat be on Tuesday night.
There’s a lot of work ahead for Martinez Losa’s side to qualify for the World Cup in 2023, success in April could go a long way.
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