Scotland supporters have described their time in Boston as the 'best trip ever' as they prepare to head to Miami for the next leg of their World Cup journey. Despite a disappointing 1-0 loss to Morocco on Friday night that left qualification hopes hanging in the balance, the Tartan Army remains defiant and optimistic about advancing from the group stage for the first time in a major tournament.
Fans Demand More Attacking Play Against Brazil
After a tight defeat, many fans are calling for a more positive approach in the crucial match against Brazil on Wednesday. Stevie Allan, a 62-year-old construction worker from Glasgow, watched the game at the fan zone in Boston City Hall. He said: 'It was a really disappointing game. Shocking to be honest with you. It's such a let down. From the first game you are expecting us to be a bit more attacking. We held our own in the second half but the first half was really disappointing.'
Allan urged the team to be more adventurous: 'We need to be more attack-minded if we are going to get through this group. We just let Morocco rule the whole game. If you attack these teams you aren't going to be able to sustain that amount of pressure. These are quality teams. We can't fear Brazil. If you are going to fear these teams then what's the point in being here? It's easy enough done. Brazil aren't world beaters any more. They're not the team that they used to be. We've just got to go all out and go for the win. Go for a more attacking forward line that we went for against Morocco and I think we can beat them.'
Boston Hospitality Shines Despite Result
Despite the setback, fans have been overwhelmed by the warmth of the local community in Boston. Allan added: 'We've absolutely loved Boston, though. This result put a bit of a downer on it but we're not letting it ruin our trip. We're looking forward to Miami now for a couple of days and looking forward to enjoying the sunshine - top up my tan a little bit!'
Shaun Buchanan, 57, originally from Falkirk but now living in Dublin, travelled to Boston with Clodaigh Duchch. He said: 'We're a bit disappointed. I think Steve Clarke should have made some changes earlier. It felt like they were there for the taking. We should have got at least a point. But we've been here enjoying the atmosphere. Boston has been fantastic. We've been here since May 29 and we've just had a ball. The people have been so inviting. We have loved it.'
Calls for Gannon-Doak to Start
Many supporters were surprised that Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak did not start against Morocco. Ralph Sandsfield, 58, and his son Adam, 21, from Glasgow, watched from the fan zone. Adam, a law student, said: 'Bring on Brazil! I think we really gave it our all out there on the pitch. We were a wee bit defensive but you've got to be out there against these teams. We need to be a wee bit more attacking against Brazil. I'd start Ben Gannon-Doak. When he came on he made a difference going forward.'
Ralph added: 'Maybe try not to lose a goal early, that would help! But listen, the boys did really well. I can't argue with it. We will support them until the end. I definitely think we are still going to get out of the group. It was a tough game. To lose that early goal, it was always going to be a hard slog. I thought we did okay after that. We battled hard. I really can't argue with it. We lasted the full 90 minutes, it was good.'
Young Fan Confident of Historic Progress
Gillian Lavety, 49, and her son Louis Hamilton, 7, from Paisley, have had a memorable trip. Louis, who was invited onto the pitch before the Haiti game, said: 'I thought we did okay, but we couldn't do anything about it when Morocco scored that early goal. The keeper had no chance. Brazil is going to be very tough. I'm not confident that we will win but I think we will get a draw and get out the group for the first time in history!' Gillian added: 'We should have had a penalty, so that is really disappointing. But we've had an amazing trip. We were at the Haiti game and Louis was on the pitch cheering the team on and singing the anthem. I think we are going to beat Brazil 2-0.'
Fans Confident of Qualification
Sam Harrison, 31, Stephen Beedie, 30, and Lewis Murray, 31, remain upbeat. Stephen, a sub-engineer from Aberdeen, said: 'I think we started too negative. We didn't set ourselves up to try and win the game. We were playing for a 0-0 and when you go down to 1-0 after 90 seconds - what you going to do? We only went for it after 80 minutes and if you do that you can never expect to get anything. But anyway, it doesn't matter. We're still going to get through the group. We'll batter Brazil 5-0 - no bother!'
Lewis, an engineer from Edinburgh, said: 'We definitely have to be more attacking. We sat far too defensively, so when you go 1-0 down so quickly you're stuck in that position. I'd like a little bit more confidence up front for the Brazil game.' Sam added: 'I feel not playing Gannon-Doak gave us no out ball. We've got Che Adams up there on his own. Holding the ball up isn't really his game. I just felt we never looked like we were going to score a goal. He had to play Gannon-Doak or start Lawrence Shankland. But our time in Boston has been unreal. Everyone has been so accommodating. It's been so good. We were feeling a bit precarious coming out here but everyone has been so happy to see the Scots. We're out for part two in Miami next and we're ready to go.'
