Scotland certainly got the job done against the Group D leaders, the Czech Republic, after putting in a professional performance, with their goals coming in both halves. 

As the game got underway, chances for both sides were of a luxury with the two sides largely feeling each other out. As the game matured you could begin to see the two sides begin to input their tactics on to the game.

Scotland went down the route of playing more higher risk passes up to their lone striker Fraser Hornby, which at first glance would seem as though it was a failing system, but the more and more it was tried the clearer it became that with Lewis Ferguson and Allan Campbell running the channels and at times narrowly missing out on Hornby's flick ons, it was only a matter of time they would get  the right ball.

The Czechs opted for a more patient approach, with slick shorter passes, trying to play through Scotland's press and produce chances. However a common theme throughout the game was McCrorie's exceptional screening of the back four which limited the spaces that the Czechs could explore with their link up play, largely being forced down the flanks and playing hopeful crosses which were lapped up by the Scotland centre-backs; Lewis Mayo and Tom McIntyre.

At the fifteen-minute mark, the Czechs looped a cross into the Scotland box which was primarily spilled by the goalkeeper Doohan but recovered. This may have encouraged the Czechs to test the Ross County keeper, with crosses but they'd soon find that this would be a dead-end with Doohan putting in a fine, commanding performance in this match.

Despite the pressure, Scotland finally got the break they had been searching for, as they opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Nathan Patterson latched on to a sloppy throw from Soucek and the Rangers youngster quickly played a one-two with Hornby giving time for the striker to set himself for the return pass, which he received and on his second touch placed past the keeper. 

Three minutes, the Czechs tried to fire a reply. They got themselves a free-kick in shooting distance, following a Lewis Ferguson handball. Czech captain Michal Sadilek duly stepped up, firing a shot that called Doohan into action. The keeper made a great save tipping it away from goal and more importantly away from the onrushing David Zima who was lurking at the back post, ready to dispatch the rebound. 

The second half began in a very ‘bitty’ manner, similar to the opening stages of the first half. The Czech left winger, Michal Hlavaty, recorded the first attempt on goal for either side in the half with a tame shot from range that Doohan caught with no real issues. Following this Allan Campbell, was booked for a professional foul on the Czech captain, with little complaint from the Motherwell midfielder. 

There were no other chances of note until the seventieth minute mark, when Janosec found himself taking yet another free kick, and cleverly he opted to playing it short to Pavel Bucha who dribbled the ball into a more central position but his wayward cross/shot went wide. 

This was one of few times they were able to make progress in this area of the pitch, which was due to McCrorie being occupied with marking duties during the set piece. Finally, the Czechs were able to penetrate the Scotland defence, after a slick one two between Sadilek and Bucha, which led to a cross from the captain which brought Doohan into making a vital save, before it reached its intended targets in the box. 

Scotland soon bucked the trend of subsequent Czech set pieces, with a free kick of their own - and they capitalised on it. A short cross to Hornby was flicked on with a succinct back heel to captain McCrorie, who shot a low effort into the Czech net, past a flailing Jedlicka. 

The goal deflated the Czech side, who were facing their first loss of the campaign square in the face and the feeling that their lead of the group was in real jeopardy, with Scotland having another game to play next week in San Marino. Every attempt at a recovery, was met by a resolute Scotland defence which was building in confidence with every clearance, tackle and interception. 

The next match for the Scotland U21’s is on Tuesday against San Marino. They will go into that one buoyant with this result and feel they should top the group by the end of this international break.