Scot Gemmill insists Scotland paid the price for first half wastefulness in defeat to Iceland but saw a huge positive in watching Liverpool kid Ben Doak steal the show.
The Dark Blues under-21s boss believes it was a tale of two halves in a game where his side failed to make the most of a host of chances during an impressive opening 45 minutes before a second half slump. It was Doak who twice passed up chances when clear on goal but Gemmill was full of praise for a player who was part of a hugely experimental Scottish side.
Motherwell 's Max Johnstion, who's on-loan at Cove Rangers, rattled in a first half opener before Iceland netted twice after the break and Gemmill had a special mention for Doak's inspirational display. He said: "We're all very confident of the potential Ben has but he still has to go and do it. He's disappointed he didn't score and he's on the treatment table after taking a sore one. It's very exciting and there is a lot to look forward to but that 20 minutes of the second half is the real learning point.
"It was really exciting to see the players first half with how dangerous we can be and how many chances we created. But you have to take them and you have to credit Iceland in the second half because they really hustled us in the first 20 minutes.
"I've spoken to the players because that's the challenge. We've got a lot of new players who need to get up to speed with the level but we have to keep it in context in working towards this new generation. We're not going home too disappointed because of the first half. The first 20 minutes of the second half, ridiculously, could help us next year because we need to show that level and they need that reaction."
Doak made his first start just seven days after the Liverpool kid's 17th birthday as part of six players making their debuts in the first XI. One of them was Rangers teenager Alex Lowry who was out to impress given the recent clamour from Light Blue fans to get the creative talent into Gio van Bronckhorst's first team plans.
There was almost a dream start for Scot Gemmill's side as a cross from the right by Connor Smith was cleared to the feet of Max Johnston who's volley swerved inches past a post in what was an enterprising opening from the hosts. A sublime turn by Lowry then carved open the Icelandic backline as he found Doak with a brilliant switch of play and the former Celtic academy player went clear on goal only for his effort blocked by the feet of Adam Benediktsson but it was another creative moment to get a large Fir Park crowd of 2128 off their seats.
Connor McAvoy was first into the book for a crude lunge on Andri Baldursson which ended the Icelandic midfielder's night after 25 minutes.
Scotland edged ahead on the half-hour mark and again it was a moment to savour as Doak combined with Johnston down the left flank before the Motherwell stopper fired a low shot which beat Benediktsson at his near post, a goal which had composure and class written all over it.
It should have been two for the Scots seven minutes from the break when Lowry's defence splitter again sent Doak clear but in a carbon copy of his earlier chance, a lack of guile with his finish allowed the keeper to make the block.
Benediktsson would deny Tommy Conway before the half was over as he made a save from a tight angle but it had been an impressive 45 minute showing by Gemmill's side which ended with another thrilling Doak surge which again failed to deliver an end product.
It was to prove costly as Iceland levelled two minutes after the restart after Kristall Ingason slammed a shot past keeper Jude Smith from 16-yards after Liam Morrison had blocked his earlier effort. Iceland's improvement was stark and they had Scotland under sustained pressure before taking a lead on the hour from the penalty spot in what as a nightmare for defender Hayden Hackney.
The Middlesbrough hopeful was robbed of possession at the edge of his own box and then pulled down Kristofer Jonsson as he attempted to redeem the situation before Ingason doubled his tally for the night with a superbly executed spot-kick.
An alarming loss of control of the contest was now absolute but there would be a sporadic response and McAvoy was unlucky to an effort which was destined for the net swept off the line by an outstretched Icelandic leg before he nodded another attempt inches over the top. Doak continued to thrill with some incisive jinking runs coming in from the right but it was a story of a failure to capitalise on a host of first half chances which resulted in this defeat.
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