When Scotland travelled to Macedonia for the very first game of this qualifying campaign, they were not to know that they would be facing the same team a year later with hopes of a play-off spot hanging by a thread. The Scots lost that encounter 1-0 and after Saturday’s game we will know how costly that may have been.
As things stand at the moment in Group Nine, with two games to play Macedonia are second with seven points, the same as Scotland, but hold the higher spot virtue of their better goal difference. With Holland visiting Hampden Park in the last game of qualifying, it’s imperative in Scottish eyes that they win all three points on offer from Saturday’s game, therefore giving them hope for when the Holland match comes around.
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Anything other than a victory will be considered a disaster by the Tartan Army and George Burley’s tenure as manager of Scotland will be in serious doubt. In their six games so far in the group, Scotland have recorded two wins, one draw and three defeats, their last game a 4-0 drubbing in Oslo against Norway.
Macedonia for their part, are more than happy the way things have progressed for them so far. They were well aware that Holland were the overwhelming favourites to win the group, and therefore the best they could really hope for is a play-off place; something that is well on course at the moment. In their last game they beat Iceland 2-0 at home. Scotland host Macedonia in what will be a vital Group Nine qualifying match for the 2010 World Cup.
Macedonia travel to Scotland on Saturday for a World Cup qualifier that is of upmost significance for both teams. Scotland need to beat Macedonia on Saturday in their World Cup qualifying game to have a realistic hope of a play-off spot.
