With the score at 2-1, Scotland were defending a precious lead in the last few minutes of the game. After Kenny Miller had opened the scoring just before half-time, the Czech Republic equalised in the 2nd half, before Darren Fletcher gave Scotland the lead for a second time eight minutes from the end.
But as the clock neared 90 minutes, Czech substitute Jan Rezek went down in the penalty area and Dutch referee Kevin Blom awarded a penalty. Scotland were incensed, and replays showed that Liverpool defender Danny Wilson had made no contact on Rezek. Michal Kadlek hammered the penalty into the roof of the net and the Czechs were level.
But the game wasn’t over. In injury time Scotland attacked, and Christophe Berra appeared to be fouled inside the box. Scotland protested, but Blom gave a freekick, and booked Berra for simulation. When viewed again, there was clear contact on the Wolves player, although he did appear to exaggerate his fall. With no penalty awarded, time ran out, and seemingly so did Scotland’s chances of reaching the Euro 2012 playoff round.
On Tuesday night, Scotland won their second match of the qualifying stage, a narrow 1-0 win over Lithuania at Hampden. The result left Scotland third in Group I with 8 points, two behind the Czechs. On the same night, Spain hammered hapless Liechtenstein 6-0 to qualify for the finals. Scotland find themselves in an extremely difficult situation with two games remaining. In order to qualify, Scotland need to take at least 4 points from ties in Liechtenstein and Spain and hope that the Czechs pick up no more than 1 point in ties against Spain at home, and away in Lithuania.
Despite Spain’s qualification for the final stages, an away win over the reigning World and European champions seems an unlikely prospect for Scotland. And at the same time, the Czechs would expect to beat Lithuania in their final match. But even if Scotland defeat Liechtenstein, the Czechs would know that a point against the Lithuanians could give them a playoff spot.
That Scotland find themselves in this position is down to more than just two questionable penalty decisions last weekend, no matter what manager Craig Levein claims. Scotland’s problems stem from two earlier fixtures, their trips to Kaunas and Prague. When the group stage draw was made, it was clear that Spain would win with ease. With eight playoff spots available, Scotland and the Czech Republic were expected to fight it out for second place.
But Scotland got off to a poor start, with an uninspiring 0-0 draw in Lithuania marking a disappointing first competitive match in charge for Levein. Things were almost worse in the second match, when it took a 97th minute winner to defeat Liechtenstein at Hampden, after they had taken a shock second half lead.
But it is Craig Levein’s team selection for the visit to Prague that will ultimately be the biggest factor should Scotland fail to reach the playoffs. Levein’s first match in charge had been a friendly match against the Czech’s at Hampden, which Scotland won 1-0 after a Scott Brown goal. When the two were drawn together in Group I, many saw this victory as a sign that second place was a realistic goal. But in a staggering move, Levein chose a ludicrous 4-6-0 formation, as he sought to claim a point against the Czechs, rather than try to win the game.
With none of the starting eleven playing as a striker, Scotland failed to create any reasonable chances, and a Roman Hubnik goal gave the Czechs a 1-0 victory. Levein defended his team selection after the game, offering sarcastic remarks about other formations rarely working, and claimed he was happy with the performance.
But now Scotland have played 6 games and have just 8 points. Six more from their last two games seems improbable, and Euro 2012 appears to be yet another international competition that Scotland will not compete in. Levein is likely to keep his job and be in charge as Scotland attempt to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but it will be his fault if Scotland fail to have a competitive match next summer.
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