Five-Star Fletcher Stars in Scots Rout
Man of the Match
By Chris O'Brien
May 15 2006
Darren Fletcher was on top form as Scotland secured a 5-1 rout of Bulgaria in their opening Kirin Cup game. The Manchester United midfielder can be proud of his display from midfield, as James McFadden, Kris Boyd and Chris Burke helped Walter Smith's men to a comfortable victory.
Darren Fletcher delivered a hard-hitting message to Sir Alex Ferguson with a man of the match performance as Scotland hammered Bulgaria 5-1 in their opening Kirin Cup game.
The midfielder has been deeply saddened by his lack of first-team chances as the Premiership season drew to a close, but he proved a point in Japan as the Jocks found their formed and cruised to victory over a beleaguered Bulgarian outfit.
Rangers duo Kris Boyd and Chris Burke both made their international debuts and both bagged braces as Scotland ran out easy winners. Yordan Todarov had levelled for Bulgaria, but Walter Smith's men were comfortable winners with James McFadden also finding his way onto the scoresheet.
The result leaves Scotland on the verge of
Kirin Cup glory. The competition has been hosted by the Japanese national team
since 1978, with both club and international teams having taken the trophy.
Japan were beaten by Bulgaria in their opening game, with each of this year's
three participants playing each other only once. Scotland's emphatic victory on
Thursday leaves them with an impressive goal difference meaning only a Japanese
rout on Saturday morning could deny Fletcher getting his hands on the
silverware!
Attendance - 5,780
Scotland: Alexander, Murty, Anderson, Weir, Gary
Caldwell, Naysmith, Fletcher, Severin, McCulloch, Teale, Boyd.
Substitutes: Turner, Smith, Steven Caldwell, McNamee, Burke, Murray, Rae,
McFadden, Miller.
Bulgaria: Kolev, Angelov, Topuzakov, Kirilov,
Karaslavov, Wagner, Petrov, Telkiyski, Todarov, Todorov, Domovchiyski.
Substitutes: Mihaylov, Valentin Iliev, Milanov, Georgi Iliev, Genkov, Yanev.
Kirin Cup - Latest Table:
| # | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Points | |
| 1. | Scotland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 2. | Bulgaria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| 3. | Japan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |