Thursday Mar 23, 2017
Aird goal helps Canada draw at Scotland
Canada’s Fraser Aird (#12) watches his shot head towards goal in an international friendly against host Scotland on March 22, 2017, in Edinburgh. (Photo courtesy of Canada Soccer)
EDINBURGH, Scotland – Canada played host Scotland to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly on Wednesday, before 9,158 fans at Easter Road.
With the result, the Canadians remained unbeaten in 2017, also posting a 4-2 win at Bermuda on January 22.
Midfielder Fraser Aird, who is based in Scotland with Falkirk, gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. After Maxim Tissot’s left-sided cross was misplayed by Scotland defenders Lee Wallace and Charlie Mulgrew in the box, Aird, 22, was there to fire in with his right foot from 13-yards out for his first international goal.
Robert Snodgrass nearly equalized minutes later, when his left-footed cross from 38 yards skipped through the box, only to rebound off the left post.
In the 35th minute, Scotland leveled in pinball fashion. The Canadians couldn’t clear the ball after goalkeeper Simon Thomas made an initial save. Tom Cairney drove an effort towards goal that teammate Steven Naismith redirected into the right side of the net.
Canada’s best chance to regain the lead came in the 78th minute, but goalkeeper Allan McGregor did well to thwart Aird’s bid for a brace in his fifth international appearance.
