‘Weaker teams would have crumbled’ – Scotland boss Clarke on narrow defeat to Morocco | OneFootball

Steve Clarke praised the fight shown by his Scotland players despite losing 1-0 to Morocco in their second game of the World Cup.

Ismael Saibari scored just two minutes into the game to give Morocco a 1-0 win.

It leaves Scotland on three points in the group after their opening game win over Haiti, meaning they could need a point against Brazil in their final group game to progress to the knockout stages.

Despite the loss, Clarke says there are positives to take.

“I think we picked ourselves up first half, to be fair,” the Scotland boss said. “It took us ten minutes to get into the game because obviously when you have a setback like that it’s really difficult to respond.

“Weaker teams would have crumbled, I think, against that quality of opposition, but we dug in, got ourselves back in the game, started moving the ball around a bit better and I thought after the hydration break, we were good, we had good momentum going in at half-time and we carried that into the second half.

“Proud of the players but obviously we’re all devastated and disappointed that we didn’t get the result we wanted so that we can carry on in this tournament as long as we can.”

Scotland were denied penalties for challenges on John McGinn and Scott McTominay in the second half, while Clarke felt that Morocco defender Issa Diop could also have been shown a red card.

“Everyone in the flash area, where I did interviews, were talking about the Scott McTominay one but that’s the only one I didn’t watch back, because I didn’t have much time, I have to come out and speak to you,” Clarke said.

“I thought the John McGinn one was a 50/50. Some will give it, and I think if the referee gives it, he doesn’t overturn it.

“I was a little bit 50/50 on the Che Adams last man incident too. He had a chance to go through one on one with the goalkeeper and gets brought down.

“Again, the referee chooses yellow and VAR backs the referee. But listen, there is nothing we can do about it.”