Scotland set unhappy record for Vogts

Scotland 0 South Africa

For the first time in history Scotland have lost all four games under a new coach, but at least Berti Vogts had the consolation of a much more competitive performance from his team than the jet-lagged showing in South Korea last week.

This was the opening of the Reunification Cup tournament and the German must now wait until Thursday to see if that elusive first win can be recorded against a Hong Kong League XI.

After seeing his young side overrun in Pusan last week, Vogts made changes to both personnel and formation. He switched to a more defensive arrangement, employing three centre-backs, including Gary Caldwell, protected by wing-backs. It immediately gave a more solid start and Scott Dobie almost gave the Scots the lead in the 25th minute.

Sibusiso Zuma was causing the most problems for the Scots, although the first goal came while he was off the field receiving treatment after a foul by Allan Johnston just after the half hour.

Benni McCarthy fired a free-kick into the wall, but when Tebogo Makoena challenged for the loose ball, the local referee, Chan Siu Kee, ruled that David Weir had fouled him on the edge of the penalty area.

It had looked a harsh award and though the Scotland goalkeeper Rob Douglas was able to parry McCarthy's free-kick, Makoena was first to the loose ball to drive in the opening goal.

Scotland rallied and almost produced a deserved late equaliser when Hans Vonk could punch only as far as Maurice Ross, who attempted to chip him from 35 yards. Vonk, however, retreated magnificently to tip the ball over.

The Scots were then caught on the break when Delron Buckley and George Koumantarakis combined. The former sent the latter through in stoppage time and Koumantarakis slotted the ball low past Douglas with an assured finish.

Vogts was happy with his side's performance, saying: "I am very optimistic. We defended very well and now we have a lot of alternatives for the squad list. But we have to look to the midfield. For the second goal, the midfielders were all caught going forward and there was one mistake.

"They have to learn that that is not possible. At least one must stay in position. But it was much, much better than Korea."

The South Africa coach, Jomo Sono, was also pleased as he prepares his side for World Cup encounters with Spain, Slovenia and Paraguay.

"I thought that if Scotland had scored maybe it could have been a draw," he said. "But we were always on top. We kept more possession. They gave us a good game," he added. "They are a very good country. It was important for us to win to get our confidence back."

SOUTH AFRICA: Vonk (Heerenveen, Neth); A Mokoena (Germinal Beerschot, Bel) (Nzama (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), 62), Radebe (Leeds), Issa (Watford), Carnell (Stuttgart); Zuma (FC Copenhagen) (Koumantarakis (FC Basel, Swit), 82), Sibaya (Jomo Cosmos, SA), Fortune (Man Utd) (Buckley (Bochum, Ger), 84), Pule (Kaizer Chiefs, SA) (Arendse (Santos), 69); McCarthy (Porto), T Mokoena (St Gallen, Swit). Substitutes not used: Marlin (Ajax Cape Town, SA), Mngomeni (Orlando Pirates), Mukansi (Lokomoti Sofia), Mnguni (Lokomotiv Moscow), Nomvete (Udinese, It), Pienaar (Ajax, Neth), Molefe (Jomo Cosmos).

SCOTLAND: Douglas (Celtic); Stockdale (Middlesbrough) (N Alexander (Cardiff), 69), Caldwell (Newcastle) (Wilkie (Dundee), 46), Dailly (West Ham), Weir (Everton), Ross (Rangers); Gemmill (Everton) (Stewart (Man Utd), 86), Williams (Nottm Forest) (Severin (Hearts), 78); Dobie (West Brom), Kyle (Sunderland), Johnston (Middlesbrough) (McFadden (Motherwell), 62). Substitutes not used: Gallacher (Dundee Utd), G Alexander (Preston), O'Connor (Hibernian), Cummings (Chelsea), Thompson (Dundee Utd).

Referee: Chan Siu Kee (Hong Kong).