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Scotland - Nigeria | News Archive
Vogts is confident, but will he get the thumbs up from Scottish supporters? (Allsport)
04/16/2002. AT STAKE
As Scotland host one of Africa's best footballing nations, Nigeria, on Wednesday, it's remarkable to compare the forthcoming months for each party and the fact that they both have very different goals for the future.
The Scots have played just one game under new boss Berti Vogts and were well and truly thumped by World and European champions France. Having not qualified for WC2002, Scotland are looking towards the Euro 2004 qualifiers which begins in September as their next target, however those north of Hadrian Wall with longer memories will be longing for the days of Law, Johnstone, Bremner, Dalglish and Jordan and when qualification for major tournaments was not only expected, it was almost a bi-annual occurance.
Nigeria in contrast have, along with other African nations, burst onto the international scene over the last decade or so, and whilst we may yet be a little while away from one such side winning the World Cup, we are gradually getting closer. New coach Adegboye Onigbinde's side are looking ahead to Japan and Korea with great delight having been drawn in the so-called Group of Death, along with Sweden, Argentina, and Scotland Auld Enemy, England - hence this friendly clash in Aberdeen.
CURRENT FORM
Scotland: WDDLWL: Just two wins in their last six outings, and those against the likes of San Marino and Latvia, spells out the immense job ahead for Berti Vogts. Despite managing creditable draws in Poland and Croatia during the WC qualifiers, their inability to hold a two-goal lead against a ten-man Belgium side at home cost them badly. Since the resignation of Craig Brown last October, the Scots have played just once under Vogts - a 5-0 hammering at the hands of France three weeks ago.
Nigeria: DWWLWD: Having clinched third placed in the African Nations Cup three months ago, losing just one game in the tournament, Nigeria then draw with South American side Paraguay last month, with Jay Jay Okocha scoring a late equaliser from the penalty spot. Goalscoring appears to be a problem for them having not managed more than one goal per game in any of their six African Nations Cup games, although they were by no means on their own on that count.
TEAM NEWS
Scotland boss Berti Vogts has been hit with a rash of withdraws after Dominic Matteo, Paul Dickov, Neil Sullivan, Barry Ferguson and Stephen Hughes, all ruled themselves out through injury. Gareth Williams is also a doubt and its thought that 18-year old Hibs striker, Gary O'Connor, could start the game up front. Rob Douglas looks set for a first cap in goal with Sullivan sidelined whilst Robbie Stockdale and Graham Alexander are also in line for a first ever appearance.
Nigeria only arrived in Aberdeen late on Monday evening and have a squad of 30 players to choose from, however omitted from the selection are regulars such as Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Finidi George, Tijani Babangida, Garba Lawal, Victor Agali and keeper Ike Shorunmu, all of whom have fallen out of favour for varying reasons with new coach Onigbinde.
WATCH OUT FOR...
Scotland have a number of players injured, either short or long term, leaving the door open for youngsters and newcomers. Graham Alexander has had an excellent season for Preston in the English first division, whilst Robbie Stockdale and Allan Johnston have had similar with Middlesbrough in the Premiership.
Nigeria have a number of players with experience in England or currently based there, including Celestine Babayaro, Nwanko Kanu, Taribo West and Finidi George, however the latter two are not included in the trip to Glasgow, leaving Kanu as the main one with a bit of a point to prove having failed to nail down a first team spot at Arsenal this season. The gangly striker can be awesome on his day, but remains a little too inconsistent for his own good.
SA PREDICTION
A tricky one to call as the result comes almost second place to the performances of the players involved. The Scots will be looking to impress their new coach whilst the Nigerians are playing for a place in the biggest football competition on the planet. Neither nation are known for scoring on a regular basis and a 0-0 draw would be no major surprise.
soccerage
Scotland - Nigeria | News Archive
Vogts is confident, but will he get the thumbs up from Scottish supporters? (Allsport)
04/16/2002. AT STAKE
As Scotland host one of Africa's best footballing nations, Nigeria, on Wednesday, it's remarkable to compare the forthcoming months for each party and the fact that they both have very different goals for the future.
The Scots have played just one game under new boss Berti Vogts and were well and truly thumped by World and European champions France. Having not qualified for WC2002, Scotland are looking towards the Euro 2004 qualifiers which begins in September as their next target, however those north of Hadrian Wall with longer memories will be longing for the days of Law, Johnstone, Bremner, Dalglish and Jordan and when qualification for major tournaments was not only expected, it was almost a bi-annual occurance.
Nigeria in contrast have, along with other African nations, burst onto the international scene over the last decade or so, and whilst we may yet be a little while away from one such side winning the World Cup, we are gradually getting closer. New coach Adegboye Onigbinde's side are looking ahead to Japan and Korea with great delight having been drawn in the so-called Group of Death, along with Sweden, Argentina, and Scotland Auld Enemy, England - hence this friendly clash in Aberdeen.
CURRENT FORM
Scotland: WDDLWL: Just two wins in their last six outings, and those against the likes of San Marino and Latvia, spells out the immense job ahead for Berti Vogts. Despite managing creditable draws in Poland and Croatia during the WC qualifiers, their inability to hold a two-goal lead against a ten-man Belgium side at home cost them badly. Since the resignation of Craig Brown last October, the Scots have played just once under Vogts - a 5-0 hammering at the hands of France three weeks ago.
Nigeria: DWWLWD: Having clinched third placed in the African Nations Cup three months ago, losing just one game in the tournament, Nigeria then draw with South American side Paraguay last month, with Jay Jay Okocha scoring a late equaliser from the penalty spot. Goalscoring appears to be a problem for them having not managed more than one goal per game in any of their six African Nations Cup games, although they were by no means on their own on that count.
TEAM NEWS
Scotland boss Berti Vogts has been hit with a rash of withdraws after Dominic Matteo, Paul Dickov, Neil Sullivan, Barry Ferguson and Stephen Hughes, all ruled themselves out through injury. Gareth Williams is also a doubt and its thought that 18-year old Hibs striker, Gary O'Connor, could start the game up front. Rob Douglas looks set for a first cap in goal with Sullivan sidelined whilst Robbie Stockdale and Graham Alexander are also in line for a first ever appearance.
Nigeria only arrived in Aberdeen late on Monday evening and have a squad of 30 players to choose from, however omitted from the selection are regulars such as Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Finidi George, Tijani Babangida, Garba Lawal, Victor Agali and keeper Ike Shorunmu, all of whom have fallen out of favour for varying reasons with new coach Onigbinde.
WATCH OUT FOR...
Scotland have a number of players injured, either short or long term, leaving the door open for youngsters and newcomers. Graham Alexander has had an excellent season for Preston in the English first division, whilst Robbie Stockdale and Allan Johnston have had similar with Middlesbrough in the Premiership.
Nigeria have a number of players with experience in England or currently based there, including Celestine Babayaro, Nwanko Kanu, Taribo West and Finidi George, however the latter two are not included in the trip to Glasgow, leaving Kanu as the main one with a bit of a point to prove having failed to nail down a first team spot at Arsenal this season. The gangly striker can be awesome on his day, but remains a little too inconsistent for his own good.
SA PREDICTION
A tricky one to call as the result comes almost second place to the performances of the players involved. The Scots will be looking to impress their new coach whilst the Nigerians are playing for a place in the biggest football competition on the planet. Neither nation are known for scoring on a regular basis and a 0-0 draw would be no major surprise.
soccerage