These fresh faced lads from 1989, will be getting on a bit by 2020. They are the Scottish FA U16 Squad that ALMOST won the FIFA U16 World Cup Final on June 24th 1989 at Hampden Park. Below them are the bearded and mature looking Saudi Arabian side that the Scots took to penalties but lost 4-5. The claims were that one of the Saudis was in the Royal Guard back in SA, another married with three kids and the keeper looked like Peter Shilton in every dimension. WE are NOT bitter.
The Scottish nippers were brought to Largs, the Scotland FA HQ on the Clyde, where they were exposed to the senior side training camp and national coaches including Ferguson, McLaren and Smith, who were assisting with a national coaching course. They were included in the coaching and obviously learned a lot.
The reward for the Saudi lads, for bringing glory to their country was $35,000 a "man", the Scots just had the glory, probably a wee dram and a new kilt and a few decent contracts in British football.
Neil Murray went to Rangers, Bollan to Dundee Utd, Hagen to Livingston and Marshall played 27 times for the Gunners.
From that squad, Brian O'Neill of Celtic, Paul Dickov, who was at Arsenal and James McLaren won full international caps eventually.
Others got bad knees, fell out of love with the game, one ended up as a car salesman and Man of the Tournament keeper, James Will, became a policeman.
Beattie went on to be a taxi driver, Downie a postman and McGoldrick worked in a tannery; just a few amongst the lads who lived the dream in '89.
During the tournament, held at Scotland's most prestigious stadia, qualifying began on June 10th, when the Scots drew with Ghana 0-0 at Hampden (6,000) and missed a penalty!
Shaking hands with Tournament guest, PELE, before the game must have unsettled the chaps.
12th June: beat Cuba 3-0 at Fir Park (3,000)
14th June: drew Bahrain 1-1 at Fir Park 13,500
17th June: beat German Dem Rep 1-0 at Pittodrie 10,300
24th June: 2-0 UP v SA aet 2-2, Pens 4-5 ...DOH! 58,000 saw this.
There are other great Scottish successes and failures.....dare I?
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