Scotland have tonight found out who they could face in their World Cup semi-final play-off in March of 2022. Steve Clarke’s men secured a seeded spot in the play-offs on Monday night, courtesy of a 2-0 win over all-conquering Denmark. This scuppered Denmark’s whitewash of the qualifying group, whilst Scotland became the first team in 25 games to beat the Danes, in what was a remarkable night at Hampden Park.
Scotland have put themselves in with a strong chance heading into the play-offs, with a home tie in Glasgow adding an extra bit of incentive for the Scots and providing a wall of sound just like that of the Israel and Denmark games. The Denmark players have came out and mentioned what an atmosphere was generated by the Scotland crowd on the penultimate game of the Group F qualifiers.
The national side has definitely came on leaps and bounds under former Killie boss Clarke, and now will be able to see all their hard work manifested in a two-game showdown to reach a World Cup for the first time since 1998, under Craig Brown. An opportunity like this must be grasped with both hands and not allowed to peter out like so many have before now. Getting to the Euros last summer and beating Serbia away from home in a crucial play-off for a major tournament should stand the players in good stead for March.
Whoever they face will come up against a determined and united team and country, desperate for a taste of the big time yet again after years of heartache. The draw will take place on 3 December for the semi-final and Scotland could face one of six teams; Poland, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Austria, Czech Republic and Turkey. All of those teams are beatable in our own patch without a shadow of a doubt. With confidence brimming, we should be looking to get to a play-off Final.
Seeded countries in the playoffs: (get home advantage in the semi v one of the unseeded teams in part 2)
Portugal
Scotland
Italy
Russia
Sweden
Wales
1/2— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) November 16, 2021
Unseeded (will be away in semi v a seeded team)
Turkey
Poland
North Macedonia
Ukraine
Czech Republic
Austria
2/2— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) November 16, 2021
Paul Gillespie
