Scotland's travelling supporters, the Tartan Army, have described their time in Boston as the "best trip ever" despite a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Morocco that leaves their World Cup hopes hanging in the balance. The fans are now turning their attention to Miami, where the team faces Brazil on Wednesday in a must-win group stage match.
Disappointment in Boston After Morocco Loss
The 1-0 loss to Morocco on Friday night dashed hopes of securing the point needed to all but guarantee qualification from the group stage for the first time in a major tournament. Despite the setback, fans remain defiant, insisting the campaign is not over. Many expressed frustration at Scotland's defensive approach and called for a more positive strategy against Brazil.
Stevie Allan, 62, a construction worker from Glasgow, watched the match at the fan zone at 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 adopt a more attacking mindset: "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."
Fans Call for Ben Gannon-Doak to Start
Many supporters were surprised that Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak did not feature in the starting lineup against Morocco and have called for him to start against Brazil. Among them were Ralph Sandsfield, 58, and his son Adam, 21, from Glasgow, who watched the match 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." He added: "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 Sandsfield commented: "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."
Boston's Hospitality Praised
Despite the on-field disappointment, fans were unanimous in their praise for Boston and its residents. 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."
Buchanan added: "We just have to move onto the next game. We will have to be more adventurous against Brazil. Gannon-Doak needs to start. It's not been the best so far, to hold against Haiti wasn't the best. I'm not being negative, I'm just being realistic. We will still get through the group. I think the three points we have should be enough."
Young Fan Confident of Progress
Gillian Lavety, 49, and seven-year-old Louis Hamilton from Paisley have had the trip of a lifetime in Boston. Louis, who was invited onto the pitch to meet the players before the first game against Haiti, 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 Head to Miami with Optimism
Sam Harrison, 31, Stephen Beedie, 30, and Lewis Murray, 31, remain confident Scotland can still progress. 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, also a sub-engineer from Aberdeen, 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."
