FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°34

Scotland’s bid to finally slay the jinx that has seen them fail to progress beyond the first stage at seven previous World Cups hinges on an all-or-nothing clash with Morocco on Tuesday.

Both sides know that, barring an unexpected victory for Norway over Brazil in the other Group A match, victory in the Stade Geoffrey Guichard will secure a place in the second round for the first time in their history. A draw could be enough for the Scots to squeeze through on goal difference but Craig Brown’s men know they cannot afford to risk playing for a point against a Moroccan side that, unlike their opponents, always looks capable of scoring.

The Scots won praise around the world for the way they stood up to world champions Brazil in the opening match of France 98 then dominated Norway in their 1-1 draw last week in Bordeaux. But all the plaudits will count for nothing if they fail to turn good approach work into goals against a Moroccan defence which looked shaky in the 3-0 defeat by Brazil in Nantes last week. ” There is keen anticipation among all the squad to get on with this game, “ Brown said. ” They know this is the biggest game of their lives with so much resting on it. “

The key to the outcome is likely to be the extent to which Morocco’s young squad, which has an average of 26 compared to Scotland’s 29, is able to bounce back from being comprehensively outplayed by Brazil. Moustafa Hadji, Morocco’s star forward who scored in the exhilarating 2-2 opening draw with Norway, acknowledges that the Scots’ greater experience could give them the edge. ” We lack experience. The mistakes we make are those of young players, “ he said. ” But if we play the way we are capable of, we will qualify. “

Upwards of 15,000 Scots fans are expected to arrive in Saint-Etienne for the match. But for once the tartan army is not certain of being able to out chant, shout and sing the rival supporters. Saint-Etienne is home to a large Moroccan community and the north African’s sides matches have drawn bigger crowds than those of France to the giant screen erected in the industrial city’s main square.

By a curious twist of fate, Hadji was brought up in Saint-Etienne after his family moved here when he was three. ” For us, the match against Scotland will be our final, “ he said. ” We are not going to win the World Cup but if we can beat Scotland and Norway to reach the second round we will have surprised a few people. “

Morocco’s French coach Henri Michel, who guided France to the 1986 World Cup semi-finals, has no injury worries but he will have to do without his tough-tackling midfielder Said Chiba because of suspension. Defender Abdelkrim El Hadrioui and goalkeeper Driss Benzekri, whose errors on crosses led to both Norway’s goals, have shaken off knocks incurred in the defeat by Brazil. Hadji has a broken toe on his right foot but says it does not affect his game.

Scotland will be without the suspended Celtic midfielder/forward Darren Jackson and the injured defender Colin Calderwood. David Weir, the Hearts defender who replaced Calderwood when he went off against Norway and created Craig Burley’s equaliser, had been expected to start. But Leicester City’s Matt Elliott has impressed Brown in training and could be brought in for only his fourth cap. ” It is a straight toss-up between the two, “ the Scotland coach said.

The Scottish players player of the year Jackie McNamara is expected to come in for Jackson, who he plays alongside at Scottish champions Celtic.