Scotland Keep the Dream Alive 蘇格蘭還有一線生機

All the UK’s top football action was on the international stage 國際舞臺 this weekend as Scotland and Northern Ireland played crucial World Cup qualifiers 世界杯預選賽, while England warmed up 熱身 with a friendly 友誼賽 against Slovenia.

Having performed poorly in their earlier World Cup qualifying games, Scotland went into Saturday’s game against FYR Macedonia 馬其頓共和國 under enormous pressure.

Losing this match would have ended their hopes 讓他們希望破滅 of playing in a major international tournament for the first time since 1998, and would surely have cost their manager George Burley his job.

However, one thing Scotland have always been able to rely on is the passionate and vociferous 大聲喧嚷的 support of their fans, 'the Tartan Army' 蘇格蘭格子球迷軍, and a packed Hampden Stadium 蘇格蘭國家球場 was in full voice to cheer their team on.

Despite a lacklustre 枯燥乏味的 first half, the Scots found their form 找到感覺 after the break with goals coming from Scott Brown and James McFadden to end the game 2-0.

Manager George Burley, who has saved his job, at least until Wednesday’s match against Holland, was full of praise for fans and players alike.

"The fans were magnificent. The atmosphere was great and the side on the pitch didn't let them down 沒有使他們失望," said Burley.

"We created a number of chances. The team out there did us proud," he added.

The phrase to do someone proud simply means to make someone feel proud.

Now if Scotland can somehow get a result 取得勝利 against group leaders 小組領先隊 Holland on Wednesday, they could get into the play-offs 附加賽 and book themselves a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Northern Ireland also kept their chances of qualifying for 2010 alive with a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Poland.

It could have been a famous victory for the Irish who led for much of the game, conceding an equaliser 以進球追平比分 only in the 79th minute of the game.

Manager Nigel Worthington summed up 總結 his mixed feelings about the game, describing it as "a fantastic result for us but we are all disappointed it is not three points."

"To come to a country like this, who have a very good team, we put our bodies on the line," added Worthington, meaning his team tried as hard as they possibly could.

England won 2-1 in their friendly match against Slovenia, and face Croatia on Wednesday in a game that could see them guarantee their spot 位置 in South Africa next year.

But England manager Fabio Capello has warned 警告 his players against complacency 自滿, letting them know that they had better follow his instructions if they want to remain in the team.

"Sometimes I shout. But this time absolutely not. I will explain what I want them to do - if they want to stay with me," said Capello.