Scotland Have It In Their Own Hands

Austria's Under 21s were held to a 3-3 draw by Belarus after the visitors scored two goals in the last 15 minutes. This result threw Scotland a life-line if only they can grab it to overtake the group leaders when they play their Group 10 game in hand.  The display against Sweden last night proved that the squad have a never say die attitude with David Wotherspoon equalising in the dying seconds of extra time to secure a thoroughly merited 1-1 draw against Sweden in Paisley.

The result in Austria means Andreas Herzog's team will be overtaken at the top if Scotland or third-placed Belarus win in their game on 3 September, four days before Scotland welcome Austria in their final qualifier at Pittodrie. This decider looked highly unlikely during a first half which Austria controlled, taking the lead on 29 minutes when Nuhiu turned in Arnautovic's free-kick from the left. Although Belarus equalised two minutes later through Sivakov, Austria quickly regained the lead via an Arnautovic's penalty after Nuhiu was fouled by Sergei Politevich. Grünwald looked to have secured all the points for the home side just before half-time when his corner somehow sneaked past goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor. Dmitri Rekish had other ideas and he scored twice in the last 15 minutes, leaving Herzog stunned and disappointed by his side's sudden capitulation. Herzog said: "I have no explanation why my team allowed Belarus that many chances in the last 15 or 20 minutes, and why we lost concentration. It's hard for us now if we want to finish first in our group but we will try to do it in Scotland."

David Wotherspoon congratulated after his lung bursting follow up to score the equaliser

Scotland's squad from the game v Sweden

 
No way through the yellow wall