Crawford double sparks Scotland

Scotland proved too strong for Canada in Edinburgh to record a convincing 3-1 win tonight.

Crawford double
The friendly international triumph came hot on the heels of Saturday's EURO 2004™ qualifying win against Iceland and gave a further boost to Scottish football circles after a barren year. Two goals from Stevie Crawford and a strike from Steven Thompson eclipsed Dwayne De Roasrio's opener for Canada and sent the Tartan Army home with a spring in their step.

Penalty given
However, Hibernian FC's Easter Road stadium had been silenced in the ninth minute when the visitors took the lead from the penalty spot. Scotland failed to clear their lines after Tomas Radzinski's free-kick was charged down and in the confusion which followed, Russell Anderson was adjudged to have dragged back De Rosario.

Gallacher beaten
Belgian referee Luc Huyghe awarded the spot-kick and de Rosario sent Paul Gallacher the wrong way. Scotland needed an immediate response and egged on by the home crowd of 16,207 equalised within two minutes of falling behind.

Had to wait
Everton FC's Scot Gemmill sliced open the Canada defence with a raking pass and Crawford wasted no time in hammering his left-foot shot past Lars Hirschfeld from ten metres. It was the Dunfermline Atheltic FC striker's second goal for his country in this his sixth cap, but he has had to wait for the moment. His first goal came on his debut in June 1995 against Ecuador and after fading out of the international scene for six years is now back with a vengeance.

Fine block
Gallacher, winning his first official cap after playing against a Hong Kong select team in May, then defied Radzinski with a fine block and had Dundee FC's Lee Wilkie to thank for mopping up the rebound as De Rosario looked certain to score.

Vogts delight
In the second half, Scotland took control of the game and completed a fine week for coach Bertie Vogts, following the 2-0 success in Iceland. Thompson fired Scotland 2-1 ahead in the 50th minute with a convincing ten-metre shot after battling play from Callum Davidson.

Beyond doubt
Crawford's careful finish in the 74th minute after Thompson's shot had been blocked by Hirschfeld put the game beyond doubt and ensured Scotland enjoyed back-to-back wins for the first time in two years.