Scots cruise past Hong Kong

SCOTLAND have capped their three-match trip to the Far East in style, with a convincing 4-0 victory over a Hong Kong League XI in the third-place match of the Reunification Cup, giving Berti Vogts his first win as Scotland boss.

Goals from Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle, Dundee United's Steven Thompson, skipper Christian Dailly, and Everton's Scot Gemmill sent the Scots home with a positive finish to what has been a difficult trip for Vogts's side, who lost 4-1 to South Korea in a friendly and 2-0 to South Africa in the semi-finals of the four-team tournament.

A sparse crowd saw the young Scots in total control of the match against a Hong Kong XI that included four Brazilians, Nigerian striker Cornelius Udebuluzor and Scotsman Gary McKeown, who was the side's captain.

The Scots went in front when Gemmill chipped a ball across the Honk Kong's XI penalty box to Kyle, who volleyed home past goalkeeper Fan Chun-Yip to make it 1-0.

Gemmill, who had an excellent match on the right wing, then set up Middlesbrough's Allan Johnston with a chance, but Fan Chun-Yip was able to stop him point-blank before the danger was cleared.

Johnston would make amends, when he set up Thompson to strike home the second about ten minutes before half-time, as the Scots went to the break with a 2-0 lead.

Scotland made the game safe, five minutes after half-time, when skipper Dailly headed home a Gemmill free-kick to make it 3-0.

Three minutes later, Hong Kong substituted goalkeeper Fan Chun-Yip with number two Chan Ka-Ki, but the change was to make little difference.

Dailly would later turn provider, as a ball played into the captain allowed him to break in on goal and, as he was forced wide by Chan Ka-Ki, he coolly turned on the by-line to play a pass to the on-running Gemmill, who deservedly fired the fourth past two Honk Kong XI defenders on the goal-line.

Hong Kong League XI were only limited to a couple of chances, after initially looking dangerous on corners in the first half.

Udebuluzor had a half-chance in the first half and in the second period, Yeung Hei Chi forced a goal-line clearance, when his shot eluded Scotland goalkeeper Rab Douglas.

Vogts made a number of substitutions late on, notably giving goalkeeper Paul Gallacher a Scotland debut, when he replaced Celtic's Douglas in the final stages.

Vogts will be pleased that his young Scots finished their difficult tour of the Far East with a win, as he looks forward to the European Championship qualifiers.

Turkey play South Africa in the final of the four-team tournament later on Thursday.