News

Scotland to face Australia and Luxembourg

Monday, 05 March 2012

Vauxhall International Challenge Match
Scotland v Australia
Wednesday 15 August 2012, kick-off TBC
Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh

International Challenge Match
Luxembourg v Scotland
Wednesday 14 November 2012, kick-off tbc
Stade Jose Barthel, Luxembourg

Scotland will take on Australia this August as preparations continue for the FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifiers. The national side will complete the 2012 fixture calendar with an away match against Luxembourg in November.

Following the positive 1-1 draw with Slovenia in Koper last week, and a training camp and match in the USA in May, Craig Levein’s side will play their final match ahead of the September qualifiers at Easter Road Stadium in Edinburgh.

Scotland first took on Australia 27 years ago in emotional circumstances. Following the death of Scotland manager Jock Stein during the final FIFA World Cup 1986 qualifying match against Wales, his assistant Alex Ferguson led the side into the play-off against Australia.

Goals from Davie Cooper and Frank McAvennie sealed a Scotland victory at Hampden Park on 20 November 1985, while a 0-0 draw in Melbourne on 4 December was enough to send Scotland to the World Cup Finals in Mexico.

The two sides have since met in two friendly matches at Hampden Park.  Ally McCoist got the winning goal in a 1-0 victory on 27 March 1996, while Brett Emerton and David Zdrilic sealed a 2-0 win for Australia on 15 November 2000.

Scotland last faced Luxembourg in the UEFA Euro 1988 qualifiers. Andy Roxburgh’s side secured a 3-0 win at Hampden on 12 November 1986, with goals courtesy of Davie Cooper (2) and Mo Johnston. A 0-0 draw then followed at La Frontière, Esch-sur-Alzette on 2 December 1987.

Neither side reached the finals in West Germany, with only Group 7 winners Republic of Ireland sealing qualification for the eight-team tournament.

Craig Levein said: “I’m delighted to finalise our full schedule of matches for 2012. The match against Australia will be our first on home soil this year, and comes directly before two World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia at Hampden in September.

“Just last year Australia defeated another of our Group A opponents, Wales, in Cardiff, and have been in good form in their own qualifiers, so I have no doubt that they will provide us with a tough test.

“We’re all excited about the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd at Easter Road, after two important away fixtures.

“We then hope to round off a positive year on a high note with another away friendly in Luxembourg. I’m sure that many of our supporters will relish the opportunity to visit the country for the first time in 25 years, and we’re all looking forward to the same fantastic backing that we received in Slovenia last week.”