SCOTLAND UNDER 19s suffered heartache in Austria yesterday after failing in their bid to qualify for the European Championships despite going unbeaten in the Elite Round and qualifiers and finishing ahead of Italy in their group.
Ricky Sbragia's side needed a win against the Croatians in Lindabrunn. but a draw would also have been good enough had Italy and Austria also finished level in the other game. However, the hosts - who Scotland had already beaten - netted with 11 minutes left to win the game and top the group with Scotland unable to find a winner.
Chester City striker Oliver McBurnie had put Scotland level in the second half and they had more than enough chances to seal a victory. But they couldn't take them and Scotland now won't be in the Finals in Greece this summer, despite going unbeaten in all six Elite and qualifying games.
But Sbragia - who caused uproar by not picking Real Madrid superkid Jack Harper in his squad - insisted he had no regrets.
He said: "I picked the 18 players who I thought could do us justice. There were plenty of other players who could have been in.
"They have done the job I have asked them to do, they have gave their all and that's all I could have asked for. We just didn't manage to get over the last hurdle. It's galling because we only needed a win and the win was there for us, but we didn't manage it.
"We're gutted we're not in because that's what we came for. But it's important people look at this and see that we are competing with these nations. We can get better. I do think we were definitely the underdogs in the group, but I think we've proved we have taken a massive step forward."
Sbragia's side missed a glorious chance to take the lead inside 90 seconds when Reading striker Harry Cardwell shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
Croatia then took control though and took an 18th minute lead when Josip Basic ran forward unchallenged and hit a sublime strike from 25 yards which whistled into the corner of the net.
Scotland had a very good penalty shout turned down just before the break when Paul McMullan was bundled over on the edge of the box by Franjo Prce, but the Bulgarian ref wasn't interested. Sbragia revealed after the game the official admitted to him he had made a mistake not awarding a spot kick.
Scotland were much improved in the second half and grabbed a well-worked 65th minute equaliser when McMullan and Liam Smith linked up before the full back delivered a perfect cross for McBurnie to bundle the ball home from close range.
When news of Austria's goal against the Italians came through, Scotland increased their urgency and Scott McKenna headed just over the bar.
Wright's shot in injury time which was easily saved by the keeper was Scotland's last chance and the youngsters slumped to their knees as the full time whistle sounded.
SCOTLAND (4-4-2): Kelly; Smith, McKenna, Souttar, Waters; Jones, Storie, McMullan (Brophy 88), Henderson (S Martin 90); Cardwell (Wright 46), McBurnie.
BOOKED: Jones
CROATIA (4-3-3): Maric; Basic, Celeta-Car, Prce, Mamic; Roguljic (Lulic 72), Stolnik, Balic; Muric (Anocic 66), Coric (Prtajin 66), Vlasic.
BOOKED: Stolnik, Balic, Anocic
REF: G Kabakov (BUL)
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