Gibraltar lose to Scotland in final game of Four Nations Tournament
In the final game of the Four Nations Semi-Professional Tournament at Park Hall Oswestry in Wales yesterday, Gibraltar were 1-0 ahead at half-time but unfortunately the game ended in disappointment for Gibraltar, losing 2-4 to Scotland.
In the deciding game of this year’s Four Nations Tournament, Paul Fairclough led his England side to a second successive Four Nations triumph - courtesy of a 3-0 victory over tournament hosts Wales.
Gibraltar v Scotland - Match Report
Scotland manager Neil Mackintosh praised his charges for coming back from a goal down twice to defeat Gibraltar thanks to a late double from Brora Rangers midfielder Sam Mackay.
The teenager came off the bench to round-off a fine second-half performance from the Scots who overran their opponents in the closing stages of the first semi-professional Four Nations match to have been played on an artificial surface.
Mackintosh said “Gibraltar were a different team for us to play as they had a Spanish influence to their play”.
“They were very keen to push men forward en masse and at one stage they were playing with four up front and we didn’t deal with it.â€
Scotland went in at the break a goal down after Keith centre back Kris Niddrie’s foul allowed Brian Perez to slot home a penalty which Niddrie’s team-mate Andy Shearer could do little about.
They reacted well in the second half following a few choice words from Mackintosh and his assistant, SFA North regional development manager Graeme Sutherland.
Having struck the bar just before half-time the Scots’ player of the tournament, and Highland League young player of the year Paul Coutts fired a beauty past the athletic Kieran Macedo to pull Scotland level in the 58th minute.
Confusion at a near-post corner allowed Adolf Anes to put Gibraltar back in front but Shaun MacAuley rattled a 78th minute leveller from outside the area.
Sam Mackay grabbed the limelight, coming in from the left to score a third and then fourth goal to clinch the win and third place in the tournament.
Four Nations Tournament 2009 to be held in Gibraltar?
Despite finishing the 2008 tournament with the wooden spoon, guest nation Gibraltar by no means disgraced themselves, after pushing Wales, England and Scotland close at this years competition in North Wales, said a spokesperson for the the4nations.com website.
Many will hope that the Rock can host the next Four Nations Tournament in 2009, after Gibraltar FA President Joey Nuñez told the4nations.com:
“We would be very pleased to host this tournament in Gibraltar.”
In an interview on the the4nations.com website, Mr Nuñez was asked what the tournament means to the Gibraltar FA?
“I am exceedingly delighted for the Gibraltar team to have been invited to this prestigious tournament.”
Mr Nuñez added:
“It is possibly the highest ranking tournament that we have ever played in and I look forward to competing against sides of such a high calibre.”
The GFA President was also asked what is the current status of Gibraltar’s application to join UEFA?
“It is a very difficult situation as, at the moment, we are isolated from the world footballing community, something which has been spurned by political motives.
To be a part of the Four Nations Tournament is like manna from heaven.
Our case is currently before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We have already won two cases against UEFA from the Court of Arbitration for Sport but UEFA have ignored the Court’s decision that our application to join UEFA is good and proper.
In February 2008 the Gibraltar FA began a legal proccess to recover compensation from UEFA and we are currently awaiting judgement.”
For more updates and information and to view the final tournament table visit the Four Nations Tournament 2008 website.
Sources: The Four Nations Tournament 2008 / Aberdeen Journals > The Press and Journals
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