Scotland v Curaçao: World Cup warm-up match – live
Key events
Curaçao have never beaten a European team. On the other hand, Scotland have failed to win any of their last six matches against nations from Concacaf, a dismal run that stretches back to a 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in 2004. So in that respect, this one’s firmly in the balance. Here, while we’re on the subject, Scotland were the recipient of mucho pelters when they lost to Costa Rica at Italia 90, but let’s be fair, Juan Cayasso’s winner is one of the great under-appreciated goals in World Cup history. What a move! Hey, it’s been 36 years, we can smile about it now.
This match is being billed by the wise and highly respected mandarins of the SFA as “The Big Send-Off”. We’ve been here before, of course. Though if a Big Send-Off is once again a precursor to, and karmic guarantee of, a performance like this …
… you’d deal on it, no? I’d take it in a heartbeat. Haiti and Morocco might be tough watches, but it’ll be worth going through the mill to see what Ben Gannon-Doak does to Brazil.
The teams
Scotland: Gordon, Hickey, Souttar, McKenna, Robertson, Doak, Gilmour, McLean, Christie, Shankland, Hirst.
Subs: Kelly, Gunn, Fletcher, Hanley, Graham, Dykes, Wilson, Hendry, Hyam, Patterson, Ralston, Curtis.
Curaçao: Room, Gaari, Bazoer, Obispo, Floranus, Leandro Bacuna, Comenencia, Fonville, Chong, Locadia, Juninho Bacuna.
Subs: Doornbusch, Bodak, Sambo, van Eijma, Roemeratoe, Antonisse, Hansen, Noslin, Gorre, Margaritha, Martha, Kastaneer, Kuwas, Brenet, Felida.
Preamble
Look, you’d think Scotland should do for Curaçao. But then …
… and you know how things go when we all get ahead of ourselves …
… and to be fair, Curaçao are ranked 82nd in the world, just 39 shy of the 43rd-ranked Scots. Also there’s the Dick Advocaat factor. It could be fun. It should be fun. Kick-off at Hampden Park is at 1pm BST. It’s on!
