Last night in not the biggest game in the Scotland National Team’s history Scotland beat Israel 2-1 to make it to the Nations League Path C Play off Final. They will meet Serbia in not Belgrade in the final after they beat Norway in the other semi by the same scoreline. The game paused after 10 minutes to join the nation to #Clapforourcarers for the NHS who have been doing such a fantastic job in the fight against Coronavirus. ETA have donated £100 to NHS Lothian Covid-19 Appeal in another small bit of support, follow the link to donate as well.
Israel took the lead after 15 minutes, Nir Bitton scored with a deflected shot after a well worked corner. Grant Hanley then prevented a second with a goal line clearance as Scotland struggled, their cause wasn’t helped when John McGinn hobbled off early on to be replaced by Ryan Christie. Scotland grew into the game as the half wore on and leveled with a Leigh Griffiths Hampden classic free-kick. James Forrest had been hauled down by Taleb Tawatha who was booked as a result. Remarkably Scotland could have been ahead just on half time but Harush saved well from James Forrest.
Scotland were the better team in the second half with Fraser and Forrest terrorising the Israeli full backs but Robertson dragged his shot wide and Hanley was denied by the crossbar. The game exploded with 5 minutes left when Griffiths was up ended in the box, the referee waved play on and Israel didn’t need a second invitation. Bitton drove the ball up past half way and threaded it through to Saba who finished neatly in the corner. But the Referee had his finger to his ear and the VAR wanted him to take another look at the challenge on Griffiths. Decision, no goal to Israel, penalty to Scotland and a yellow card to Taleb Tawatha. Second yellow meant Israel were down to 10 and there was a long delay as Israel protested the decision.
Griffiths held his nerve and Scotland held out to win the game 2-1. They will need to do it all again on Tuesday evening.
#ETAhaveadream is just little bit of light relief from the current situation we all find ourselves in with social distancing and isolation. This was played out through the ETA twitter account @EdinTartanArmy where you can see all the major incidents through the medium of Subbutteo. Some are also available on our Facebook page. We were joined by people far and near with even some Israeli’s commenting on Dougie’s team selection and plenty opinions on Stewarts Scotland team as well.
Clearly we would all have rather been through in Glasgow cheering the team on in a full Hampden and hopefully we don’t have to wait too long until this is possible. As there was no game, there were no buses so we didn’t have to pay for the buses. We still take in membership fees so the committee decided to make donations of £100 to 3 charitable causes. They are the NHS Lothian COVID-19 Appeal, the Tartan Army Childrens Charity and the Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal.
We hope you have enjoyed it, we’ll be back on Tuesday to do it all again @FSSrbije vs @ScotlandNT 31st March 7.45pm (Scottish time), can Scotland make the not Euros #etahaveadream.