Faroe Islands 0 Scotland 1: Lyndon Dykes saves Scots’ blushes after lacklustre performance
LYNDON DYKES made history just as Scotland were staring ignominy in the face.
The battering ram striker bagged a last gasp winner to become the first for the national side since Colin Stein in 1969 to net in four consecutive competitive games.
But Dykes was also booked with Ryan Christie – and both will now be suspended for the visit to Moldova next month where three points will seal a World Cup play-off place.
On a nerve-shredding night the 114th FIFA ranked Faroes came so close to a famous result.
There’s grass on the roofs here and puffin pie on menus – and for all the Scots in Torshavn a point for the Faroes would’ve been just as bewildering.
BUT, listen, ultimately Steve Clarke and his players got the job done – and, frankly, that’s all that matters.
It’s all about Chisinau now on November 12.
Clarke had lost striker Che Adams on Sunday through injury but stopper Grant Hanley was back from suspension.
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And the no nonsense Hanley slotted straight back in for his 40th cap with Saturday night idol Scott McTominay pushed into central midfield alongside Billy Gilmour.
Headline selection, though, was Ryan Fraser’s return as right-wing back with Nathan Patterson benched.
Ryan Christie, meanwhile, replaced Adams in attack for his 25th silver medal Scotland game.
Scotland had come here four times before and endured two draws – but another slip-up was simply unthinkable in the context of keeping the Israelis and Austrians at arm’s length.
Faroes boss Hakan Ericson couldn’t resist turning the screw on the Scots pre-match – kindly reminding them it would be considered a fiasco – even catastrophe – if they didn’t get the victory.
That was nice of the Swede.
His Faroes players had delivered a creditable show in their weekend 2-0 home defeat to Austria and they had dreams of emulating their country’s legendary 1999 and 2002 teams who each jolted the Scots.
It was a gloomy, rain-soaked evening in this remote outpost and the home fans in their smart, £17 million redeveloped, 5,000 capacity Torsvollur home were relentless in noise – virtually a brass band behind Craig Gordon’s goal first half.
And their heroes – a physical, direct side but also sprinkled with flair - did plenty in a worrying 45 minutes for the Scots to keep them raucous.
Indeed, Clarke’s men could and probably should’ve been TWO down by half time on a slick 4G pitch.
Scotland started on the front foot for five minutes but then lost the initiative.
Clarke had warned them of keeper Teitur Gestsson’s ability to shell it – and from one of his monstrous kicks, right through a troubled Scots defence, Gilli Sorensen squared in the box for Joan Edmundsson but the striker couldn’t connect properly at point blank range.
MAN-BYS Scotland players rated after difficult night against Faroe Islands
Edmundsson, by the way, was with Scots coach John Carver at Newcastle United in 2010.
His opening was a scare – but there was far more chilling to come.
Woeful Scotland lacked conviction all over the park and the fired-up Faroes scented blood.
Yet, in the 21st minute John McGinn played in McTominay at an angle in the box and his right foot shot was pushed wide by Gestsson.
But then the Faroes No1 launched another kick and again the hesitant Scots back-line was found wanting – Sorensen gliding the ball across the six-yard box for Ari Jonsson to shoot at point-blank range only for Gordon to sensationally parry.
It was an incredible save.
Then in the 24th minute man-mountain Sonni Nattestad sent a diving header over from six-yards from a great cross by the talented Brandur Hendriksson. Another BIG chance.
Scotland looked vulnerable with every home attack – but then McTominay hit a 30-yard free-kick well over to loud, mocking jeers from the Faroes fans.
Eight minutes from the break Kieran Tierney put Christie clear in the box with a piercing pass.
It was a great opportunity but his cut-back for Dykes was easily cleared.
The Faroes got back on top and five minutes from half time a vicious right foot shot from Odmar Faero deflected off Hanley and went narrowly wide.
Gordon smothered a Hendriksson free-kick then Scotland responded with a McTominay shot over.
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VAR worked for the Scots on Saturday – two minutes into the second half it didn’t.
Christie raced down the left from a through ball and went down in the box over a lazy hanging leg of Heini Vatnsdal. It looked a penalty.
Ref Matej Jug went to VAR with the game paused for a few minutes before Christie was actually adjudged offside anyway.
McTominay should’ve done better than shoot wide from close range in the 54th minute.
Scotland desperately sought inspiration, the Faroes were brimming with belief.
Gilmour shot wide, but then Hansson curled a right foot effort inches past.
With 20 minutes left it was tense and Scotland lived dangerously, at times kicking it anywhere.
But Gilmour had to score in the 76th minute – Gestsson saved his close range shot – and then three minutes later McGinn, six yards out, squandered an even better chance with a header parried.
It was absolute torture.
But then MASSIVE relief with four minutes left. But also anxiety.
Dykes, tightly marked, somehow bundled home at the near post from a cross by sub Nathan Patterson – but it went straight to VAR and the seconds for a ruling for a possible hand-ball felt like forever.
Mercifully, remarkably, the QPR hitman got a second straight TV goal ruling - his sixth overall for Scotland.
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And it was enough for the Scots to dig out a priceless, ugly win over the heartbroken Faroes.
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