AFCB

First Team

Christie’s Scotland claim Armenia victory

Ryan Christie started for Scotland in their 2-0 UEFA Nations League victory over Armenia on Wednesday night.

Playing in front of Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson on the left wing, the AFC Bournemouth man featured for almost the full 90 before being replaced by Ross Stewart.

Anthony Ralston was on target for Steve Clarke’s side first, handing the home side the lead inside half an hour.

The Nations League three points were then sewn up before the first half was over as Scott McKenna added the second.

Christie had a few efforts at the Armenian goal during the second half, but the Cherries man was unable to add another in Scotland’s win in their Nations League opener.

Elsewhere in group 1 of league B, the Republic of Ireland lost their second Nations League game and now occupy bottom spot in their group.

Mark Travers was again an unused substitute, with Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher chosen ahead of him, as Ukraine picked up a 1-0 win at the Aviva Stadium.

Viktor Tsyhankov’s goal early in the second half was enough to settle the fixture and seal three points for the Blue and Yellow.

To complete the list of Bournemouth players in international action, Chris Mepham started for Wales while Kieffer Moore did not make the matchday squad.

Following their World Cup qualification earlier in the week, Rob Page’s side lost their second Nations League fixture after some late heartbreak.

The Netherlands were the opposition and took the lead shortly following the interval through Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.

The scores remained at 1-0 until injury time as Rhys Norrington-Davies drew Wales level and looked to have sealed a point on home turf with little time remaining.

With almost the final kick of the game though, Oranje snatched all three points via a Wout Weghorst goal.

Defeat for Mepham and Wales sees them bottom of the tough group 4 of league A, with Belgium left to play on Saturday to complete the first round of fixtures.