Telegraph: Scotland's dismal World Cup performance — coach Clarke bears full responsibility

The format of this FIFA World Cup is so absurdly complex that the most direct illustration is this: Scotland has scored fewer goals than Haiti, yet still has a chance to advance to the knockout stage. The Telegraph points out that Scotland's playstyle is timid and indecisive, and Clarke's rigid, clunky tactics have shackled the entire team. They managed only 7 shots on target in three group matches, and the root of all problems lies with the head coach.

With only 3 points and a goal difference of -3 from three group matches, the team managed to score only once against Haiti—a deflected shot. In any normal and reasonable competition format, such a record would send them straight home.

However, the reality is that Scottish fans will be on tenterhooks for the next 96 hours, agonizingly waiting to see if their team can squeeze into the knockout stage. Scotland was completely overwhelmed by Brazil and can only hope for favorable results from other matches to advance through an extremely tenuous additional qualification spot.

By anyone's standards, this is hardly a situation worth celebrating.

The permutations for advancing from the group stage are numerous and complex. Scotland will have to wait until Saturday evening at their base in North Carolina to find out if they need to travel to Boston on Monday afternoon to play Germany in the Round of 32. This is clearly extremely unfair to the players and to the fans who have spent their savings to chase this football dream. They should have packed their bags and gone home already.

The team's playstyle is timid and indecisive, and Clarke's rigid, clunky tactics have shackled the entire team. Three group stage matches meant to prove their strength ultimately yielded only 7 shots on target.

In the match against Brazil, after Cunha scored the third goal, Scotland's chances of advancing were only 42%, yet Clarke claimed the team was already out.

He lamented, "Perhaps only we, Scotland, played so poorly in this group." Compared to his subdued interview after losing to Morocco, this statement conveyed frustration and defensiveness.

Scotland's situation is no easier than Iraq's, who faced France and Senegal twice.

From a paper strength perspective, Group C's overall standard ranks only eighth in this FIFA World Cup, yet Clarke's tactical arrangements remain a complete mess.

Against weak Haiti, Scotland had the chance to build a significant goal difference. But Scotland only managed to win with a deflected McGinn goal, yet the whole team celebrated as if they had reached the final. Admittedly, it was Scotland's first FIFA World Cup victory in 36 years, but given their opponent's weakness, this victory should not have been overhyped. The real tests were Morocco and Brazil, and against these two teams, Scotland completely collapsed.

The scene of players and fans acknowledging each other after the final whistle was moving. Throughout this tournament, fans have consistently shown the team immense support, with Scottish fans spending lavishly in bars across Massachusetts, becoming "honorary citizens" of Boston. However, this journey is likely to end prematurely, as the team has repeatedly squandered its own chances of advancing. Striker Shankland had only 4 of his 28 touches in the entire match within Brazil's penalty area; the defenders were helpless against the attacks, panicking like startled rabbits, and McKenna was easily dispossessed by Bournemouth player Rajan, making for a very embarrassing situation.

Ultimately, the root of all problems lies with Clarke. Admittedly, he once led the team to defeat Denmark at Hampden Park and secure a FIFA World Cup ticket, creating a classic night; but major tournament stages are the true test of a national team coach's ability, and he has repeatedly failed to meet expectations.

Having coached Scotland in two European Championships, the team exited in the group stage miserably both times, and now, with their first FIFA World Cup appearance in the 21st century, it seems they are destined to repeat the same mistakes.

Yet Clarke, despite delivering poor results repeatedly, has been rewarded with a new four-year contract extension. Just like the team's complete collapse against Brazil, this matter is truly baffling.

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