Nigeria spoil Vogts's big night

Scotland 1-2 Nigeria
Scotland tumbled to their second successive defeat under new coach Berti Vogts against FIFA World Cup finalists Nigeria on Wednesday night.

Aghahowa double
Christian Dailly's seventh-minute opener gave the home side heart, but goals in either half from Nigeria's Julius Aghahowa gave the African side a morale-boosting 2-1 victory. Vogts fielded an experimental side as he works towards the start of the EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign in September and no fewer than seven players earned their first international caps in the match at Aberdeen FC's Pittodrie Stadium.

First starts
But after a crushing 5-0 defeat in Paris against France last month, this defeat on his home bow leaves Vogts still searching for his first success since succeeding Craig Brown in February. The former Germany coach handed first starts to four players - goalkeeper Robert Douglas of Celtic FC, Middlesbrough FC's Robbie Stockdale and, in midfield, Aberdeen FC teenager Kevin McNaughton and Gareth Williams of Nottingham Forest FC.

Full house
In front of a full house of 20,465 fans, Scotland started well and World Cup qualifiers Nigeria struggled to cope with the passion of the home side. The powerful play of Scotland paid off in the seventh minute when Dailly scored the opening goal of Vogts' Scotland reign. The West Ham United FC defender rose highest to head home a corner from Everton FC's Scot Gemmill - only the second goal of the defender's 32-cap international career.

Lambert denied a second
The goal lifted the team and the crowd and captain Paul Lambert was denied a second goal in the 20th minute by Nigerian keeper Austin Ejide. Nigeria face England, Argentina and Sweden in World Cup Group F this summer, but the opening 30 minutes gave little indication that the Super Eagles would be much of a threat in Korea/Japan.

Crainey error
The final 15 minutes of the first half, however, showed the Nigerian side in a better light. Douglas made a terrific save low to his right from a Nwankwo Kanu shot, but Nigeria's pressure told in the 40th minute when Julius Aghahowa scored from close range. Stephen Crainey's error allowed the FC Shakhtar Donetsk striker to cash in on a ball across goal and beat Douglas from six yards.

Three more newcomers
Vogts blooded three more newcomers in the second-half - Michael Stewart of Manchester United FC, Preston North End FC's Graham Alexander and Garry O'Connor of Hibernian FC taking their international bows, and the tally of debutants to seven
However, Nigeria's strength and talent finally shone through and the decisive goal arrived on 68 minutes when Pius Ikedia's cross was headed home by Aghahowa for his and Nigeria's second of the night.

Vogts takes heart
The result may not have been to Scotland's liking, but coach Vogts will take heart from the performance as Wednesday's match gave not only hope for the start of the EURO 2004™ qualifiers but also a glimpse of the future with so many new faces in the lineup. Scotland's next match is a friendly match in Pusan against World Cup co-hosts Korean Republic on 17 May.