FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier
Moldova v Scotland
Friday, 12 November, kick-off 5.00pm
Zimbru Stadium - Chisinau
Live on Sky Sports

By Jack Hunter

Scotland take on Moldova on Friday night knowing that a win would secure a play-off place for the FIFA World Cup. After four consecutive victories, Scotland hold their destiny in their own hands, while a draw or defeat could be sufficient depending on results elsewhere in the group.

Moldova are yet to win a match in their World Cup qualifying campaign but did manage to pick up a point against the Faroe Islands. Their last match against Israel resulted in a 2-1 defeat.

Previous meetings

Scotland have never lost against Moldova, with the most recent match between the teams in September this year resulting in a 1-0 win for Scotland. An early Lyndon Dykes goal secured a 1-0 victory that evening that was more emphatic than the score-line suggested.

The last time they played in Moldova the sides played out a 1-1 draw in the 2004 World Cup qualification campaign – a match in which current Scotland number one Craig Gordon picked up his fifth cap.

Before this, Scotland hadn’t played against Moldova since 2005, when a meeting at Hampden Park saw the hosts claim a 2-0 win.

Pre-match thoughts

There’s a new face in the Scotland squad, with Stoke City’s Jacob Brown added to the squad.

He said: “It’s a bit surreal at the minute, I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet. I only found out the day before the squad was announced that I was going to be in it. My agent told me the gaffer was going to ring, then he rang and had a chat with me and that was it.

“The lads have made me feel welcome from the minute I’ve met them. It’s only been a few days but I’ll get to know them a bit more and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Now that I’m here I just want to work hard, try and impress on the training pitch, settle in with the lads and if I do get an opportunity on the pitch then give it all I’ve got.”

Brown revealed that his Stoke teammate and former Scotland striker Steven Fletcher had kind words to say about his call-up.

“I think playing with him has helped my performance massively because he’s such a good player and he’s got a lot of experience. He’s someone I look up to and I try to learn as much as I can from him on and off the pitch.”

Team News

One player who won’t feature against Moldova is Scott McTominay, who has been ruled out of the match with illness. Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference, Steve Clarke said:

“We’ve lost Scott McTominay to illness – it’s not COVID related. He’s gone home for a few nights – hopefully he can rejoin us over the weekend.”

Ryan Christie and Lyndon Dykes are suspended for this match, but will come into contention for selection for our match against Denmark.

How to follow the match

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event, kicking off at 4:30pm.

You can also receive live updates via the official @ScotlandNT Twitter account.