Germany3
Scotland 3
Scorers: Germany - Kuranyi (16), Meier (60), Voigt (90); Scotland - Kyle (43), Hughes (61), Malcolm (86)
ACCORDING to the sultans of self-promotion, Germany's 'Team 2006' will restore the World Cup to what they consider to be its rightful place, with the added distinction of wrestling the most cherished lump of gold from Brazil's grasp in front of a their own support.
On this evidence . . . aye, right. Berti Vogts returned home and unleashed a team of Scottish terriers who, in ravaging any notions of invincibility, also provided much optimism for the big team as they prepare to do battle with the Germans next year, when qualification for Euro 2004 is likely to be at stake.
In an enthralling encounter, a makeshift line-up thrown together after injury and illness had thrown his original plans into disarray, exceeded even Vogts' expectations as they twice came back from defeat and, but for the referee's insistence on injury time, might even have emerged victorious.
It was with contrasting reasons that Germany and Scotland played what amounted to a B international at the home of FSV Mainz last night: Vogts was hopeful but perhaps not expecting his future team to provide the nucleus of the side which will attempt to qualify for the next two major championships; the German group have been chosen simply to win football's greatest prize. No pressure, guys.
That they fought out a feisty and fair draw will have given Vogts greater encouragement than his counterpart Uli Stielike, who will doubtless receive a few unhappy phone calls from his success-obsessed employers.
The Germans may have towered over their opponents but Scotland never cowered, with Kevin Kyle - ''magnificent'', according to his manager - the embodiment of a rousing performance, scoring Scotland's first goal and prompting Stielike to concede afterwards that he had no answer to this burly battering ram.
It was a satisfying homecoming for the much-maligned former Germany coach, whose reputation in these parts is not befitting a man who overcame English jingoism at its worst to win Euro 96.
''Maybe I am not so bad after all,'' he said during a most bizarre post-match press conference, conducted in German with running English translation for the linguistically- challenged visitors. The official duties done, he ushered the Scottish media contingent outside to relay the extent of his happiness.
''To play like this away from home makes me delighted,'' he said. ''We should have won the game but to do so well against the No.2 nation in the world gives us a lot of confidence.''
Maybe, just maybe, this result, and the manner in which it was achieved, will re-establish some respect among Vogts' ain folk.
Tatort, which does not translate as Taggart but is the German equivalent of the gritty Glasgow detective series, is such an established Sunday staple that personalities queue up for a cameo appearance. Alas, Vogts' screen debut three years ago was to prove a blink-and-you'll-miss-it part, one which provided a disbelieving media with further ammunition to fire at their much lampooned former manager. His brief dialogue edited out - a ''privileged'' few suggest the efforts left on the cutting-room floor would make the cast of River City wince - Vogts' reputation lay in ruins with one fleeting green-fingered scene mowing a lawn. ''From then on he was known as The Gar-dener,'' said one local reporter, adding that it was in keeping with his lowly status in his chosen field. Ouch.
From the moment a German cover version of Football's Coming Home blared out of the PA system, a rather premature World Cup 2006 anthem, you knew this was going to be something different.
Stephen Glass has dis- covered that acne is easier to clear up than a stigma but having attempted to rid himself of physical and psychological fragility at Watford, he lasted 40 minutes before a familiar case of broken Glass brought an end to his involvement.
Gavin Rae, normally a tenacious ball winner for Dundee, looked distinctly uncomfortable in an unfamiliar wing- back role and, considering this disjointed start, it was hardly surprising that the monstrous Kevin Kuranyi should choose this occasion to show why he is one of the biggest threats to Celtic's European progress.
The VfB Stuttgart striker stomped his way into the penalty area to deliver a dull blow to Scotland's defences, thumping Markus Daun's dunt into the net. As half-time loomed, Kyle capitalised on a rare lapse in concentration by a hitherto immaculate German defence, blasting a slack clearance past a bamboozled Simon Jentzsch. Suddenly, they were no longer invincible.
As the temperature dropped, the entertainment improved and, in similar fashion to the first half, Germany hared up-field and stole ahead again, courtesy of substitute Alexander Meier, a Kuranyi clone.
One of Scotland's replacements, Stephen Hughes, wasted little time in restoring parity, his Ibrox colleague Robert Malcolm providing a precise pass which the blond midfielder comfortably clipped into the corner of the net.
It was to get even better when Malcolm, only called up on Monday morning after Scott Wilson called off through illness, scrambled home a goal to widespread consternation, save for the pocket of travelling supporters whose intrepid following was made all the more worthwhile.
The Germans may have had the final cheer, Alexander Voigt expertly converting an injury-time free kick, but Vogts had the last laugh. A draw against the World Cup winners in waiting? Not bad for a gardener.
Germany (4-4-2) Jentzsch (Borel 45); Hinkel, Preuss, Franz, Voigt; Bierofka (Kringe 45), Schindzieorz, Ernst, Frommer (Meyer 67); Daun, Kuranyi (Meier 45)
Sub: Borowski
Scotland (3-5-2) Gallacher; G Caldwell, S Caldwell, Malcolm; Nicholson (Hughes 45), I Murray, Rae (Kennedy 88), Crainey (Canero 65), Glass (S Murray 40); Miller (Harper 81), Kyle. Subs: Alexander, McGovern, Arthur
Referee Laurent Duhamel
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