Scotland have beaten the Faroe Island 2-0 in their EURO 2008 Group B qualifier at the Torsvollor Stadium in Toftir on Wednesday, with goals from Shaun Maloney and Garry O’Connor sealing a win for Alex McLeish despite late pressure from the home-side.

The game started with pressure from Scotland from the outset, but it wasn’t until after the half-hour mark that they found a way through the Faroe Islands defence.

Shaun Maloney scored for the Scots in the 31st minute with a beautifully taken free-kick from just outside the penalty area, which left the Faroe Island goalkeeper rooted to the spot as it sailed into his right-hand corner of the goal.

It wasn’t long before the Scots scored a second, with Fletcher crossing the ball in perfectly for Garry O’Connor on the far post. His header was well saved at point-blank range by the Faroe Islands keeper Mikkelsen, but O’Connor slid the ball in on his second attempt to make it 2-0 in the 35th minute.

The Scots were well in command as the half-time whistle was blown, but the home-side came out far stronger for the second-half, almost grabbing a goal back early in the second period as the Scotland defence relaxed slightly.

Rogvi Jacobsen received the ball on the inside of the penalty area, finding time to play the ball to his teammate Christian Lamhauge Holst, who’s close-range shot was blocked by Gary Naysmith.

Minutes later Craig Gordon was called into action again, with a good save from a Suni Olsen free-kick and seconds later a low save to deny Olsen again.

The Faroes were on the attack for long periods of the second-half, with the Scots letting the home-side command the play and allowing the Faroes a lot of space to break.

There was another great chance from an Olsen free-kick, taken from 40-yards out, which was met with a header by Holst, which ricocheted off the post and in to the grateful hands of Craig Gordon.

Scotland started to find their feet again, with David Weir and Paul Hartley both having shots at Jakup Mikkelsen’s goal and with 10 minutes to go, Alex McLeish brought on Steven Naismith for Kris Boyd as Scotland pushed to seal the win.

The home-side weren’t beaten yet, and in the 90th minute substitute Andrew av Flotum almost pulled one back with a stinging shot that hit the crossbar, much to the relief of the Tartan Army fans.

The game finished 2-0 to Scotland, with hopes of EURO 2008 qualification still in sight for Alex McLeish's men.

Faroe Islands Team: Mikkelsen, J. Jacobsen, O Johannesen, (Djurhuus, 36 - Samuelsen, 77), Benjaminsen, Danielsen, Borg, Olsen, Thomassen, C. Jacobesen, Holst, (A.Flotum, 82), R. Jacobsen.

Faroe Islands Substitutes Not Used: Hansen, Elttor, M. Joensen, Horg.

Scotland Team: Gordon, Alexander, Weir, McManus, Naysmith, Hartley, Fletcher, (Teale, 68), Ferguson, Maloney, (Adam, 77), O’Connor, Boyd, (Naismith, 83).

Scotland Substitutes Not Used: McGregor, Hutton, Caldwell, Dailly.

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