Scots lament tough draw

SCOTLAND were landed with the draw they dreaded after being paired with Holland in the Euro 2004 play-offs while Wales have high hopes of making the finals following their draw with Russia.

Scotland boss Berti Vogts claims Holland are one of the favourites to go all the way in the competition, and their coach Dick Advocaat knows everything about Scottish football from his time in charge of Rangers.

Vogts said: "This is probably one of the toughest draws in the group but it is still just two games. The Netherlands are one of the favourites to win Euro 2004 and we are the underdogs but anything can happen and we have a chance.

"It will be a good experience for us but we are looking forward not looking back. The team played very well against Germany and we will have to do the same against the Netherlands."

Scotland will be at home first on the weekend of November 15/16 with the return leg in Holland on November 18 or 19.

Wales will play their second leg against Russia at the Millennium Stadium on November 19 and their manager Mark Hughes believes that could be a real advantage. He said: "We have got to be reasonably happy with the draw. We are playing the second leg at home and I think everyone's view is that is an advantage.

"Russia have had some great players in the past so we know it will be a test and now we just have to do all the research, look at all the videos, to make sure we know about their players of the present."

Wales have never played Russia who finished second to Switzerland in the Republic of Ireland's qualifying group although they did draw 0-0 with the Soviet Union at Swansea 19 years ago.

Advocaat was keen to be paired with Scotland in the draw after his side finished second to the Czech Republic in Group Three. The Scots have enjoyed little success against the Dutch in recent years with their last triumph coming in a friendly in March 1982 although their last clash three years ago ended goalless.

The draw will bring back memories of the 1978 World Cup where an Archie Gemmill goal earned Ally McLeod's team a win over the Dutch in the previously lamentable campaign in Argentina.

The other three play-off matches to determine the five remaining Euro 2004 finalists saw the bigger sides by chance kept apart.

Turkey were paired with Latvia, on paper the weakest side in the play-offs, and should progress to the finals in Portugal while Spain were drawn against Norway and the final play-off will see a Balkan contest between Croatia and Slovenia.

UEFA are to study video evidence before deciding whether to take disciplinary action against England or Turkey players following the match in Istanbul on Saturday.

There was a melee in the tunnel at half-time following incidents when Alpay taunted David Beckham for missing a penalty and then poked him in the face as the players walked off the pitch at the break.

UEFA yesterday decided to start disciplinary proceedings against the Turkish FA for incidents when flares were lit in the stadium and a couple of missiles thrown on the pitch but will look at video evidence before deciding on action against players.

These are not viewed as major incidents and are likely to result in a fine. The action follows reports from Italian referee Pierluigi Collina and UEFA's own match delegate.

UEFA communications director Mike Lee said: "We have started proceedings against the Turkish FA for a lack of order and discipline in the stadium and this will lead to a disciplinary charge to be heard at the control and disciplinary body meeting on October 30.

"On the question relating to the players, as a result of Mr Collina's report we have decided to request video evidence before deciding whether or not a formal disciplinary process is needed."

Collina called Beckham and Aston Villa defender Alpay into his room at half-time and ordered both sides to calm down, and the melee is thought to have been mainly pushing and shoving rather than punching.

Lee added: "Mr Collina was able to see most of what happened in the tunnel himself and in fact dealt with what happened extremely well, he spoke to David Beckham and Alpay and calmed things down.

"We have to make sure that he did not miss anything before deciding whether or not to take disciplinary action."