Scotland produced an assured performance to beat Iceland 2-0 in their Euro 2004 Group Five qualifier in Reykjavik on Saturday and give Berti Vogts his first victory as their manager. A goal in each half from defender Christian Dailly and winger Gary Naysmith gave Scotland, who drew 2-2 away to the Faroe Islands in their opening qualifier last month, a merited three points.
The result will ease the strain on former Germany coach Vogts, whose side slumped to 63rd in the FIFA world rankings after five straight defeats and that embarrassing draw with the Faroes. Scotland now have four points from two games in a group that also includes Germany and Lithuania to give them real optimism of at least clinching second place and a play-off place in the group.
Scotland enjoyed the best of the early pressure and they shocked the hosts by taking the lead after only seven minutes through West Ham United's Dailly. Naysmith's corner was not cleared and the Everton player floated over another cross for Dailly to rise highest and head home with goalkeeper Arni Gautur Arason badly exposed.
Steve Crawford and Hearts defender Steven Pressley went close for the visitors with Jackie McNamara influential in both. Iceland finally found some success on 18 minutes when Gudjohnsen picked up a free kick and shuffled past Dailly but his shot crashed into the bar.
A hard-working Scotland side looked assured but were forced to reorganise on 35 minutes when McNamara suffered a thigh injury and was replaced by Callum Davidson. Crawford almost drilled home a second on 46 minutes as a header by front partner Steven Thompson sent him clear, but the Dunfermline player rushed his effort and shot wide.
However, the Scots did add a second goal on 63 minutes, when Maurice Ross found space down the home side's left hand side. His cross was controlled by Naysmith and the winger took one touch to turn and hammer an unstoppable volley beyond Arason.
Iceland's best chance of the match fell to Sigurdsson five minutes from time but he volleyed the ball well wide with an effort that was indicative of his side's overall performance. Scotland have a home friendly with Canada on Tuesday before they again face Iceland in their next qualifying match at Hampden Park on March 29.
Filed by Shane Murray
