Scotland and Wales qualify for elite round
Saturday, September 28, 2013
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Scotland and Wales both recorded final-day victories in qualifying round Group 4 to secure their place in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round.
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Scotland and Wales are through to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round after final-day victories in qualifying round Group 4.
All four teams had a chance of finishing in the top two in the table going into the last round of matches. Hosts Slovenia occupied one of those berths but were beaten 3-0 by Wales thanks to two goals from Harry Wilson and one from George Thomas. Captain Joseff Morrell also missed a penalty. Scott Booth's Scotland side finished top of the section – two points clear of Wales – thanks to a 2-1 victory against Hungary, Greg Kiltie finding the net either side of Roland Sallai's equaliser.
The mini-tournament had opened with an extraordinary game as Hungary and Wales ended 5-5, the highest-scoring draw in any UEFA football competition. Wales scored first but trailed 4-1 at half-time and later 5-2 before Daniel James and Wilson reduced arrears and substitute Connor Evans equalised in the last minute. Scotland overcame hosts Slovenia 3-1 with a Craig Wighton hat-trick.
Two days later Wales played out another draw, this time goalless against Scotland. Slovenia revived their hopes with a 4-2 defeat of Hungary, who ended up down to nine men, David Tijanič scoring twice and making another.
The third-placed team with the best record against the top pair in their group will also go through to the elite round.