Josh Landers netted his sixth goal in six international games as Scotland U19s played out a 2-2 draw against Latvia in their UEFA European U19 qualification opener.
Dinamo Zagreb centre-back Matīss Siliņš scored the opener within four minutes, rising highest from a corner to give Latvia the perfect start.
Scotland then responded almost immediately after Sunderland midfielder Ivans Struks was booked for a foul on Rangers' Lewis Stewart inside the penalty area.
Our young Hammer Landers, who has seven direct goal contributions in seven starts for our U21s, stepped up to convert the equaliser from twelve yards.
Captain and Manchester United midfielder Tyler Fletcher, son of former Manchester United and Scotland international Darren Fletcher, then put Scotland ahead on 36 minutes.
Just before half-time though, Helvijs Joksts, who three days earlier had scored for Tukums in the Latvian first division, netted his second goal of the week to draw Latvia level.
It was a more muted second half as both sides settled for a point. Their Group 8 opponents, hosts Lithuania and Airidas Golambeckis’ England side face each other later this afternoon.
Elsewhere in UEFA European U19 qualifying, Rayan Oyebade, who received his first call-up to Greece earlier this month, featured on the bench as they beat Belarus 2-0 to go top of Group 3.
Callum Leacock’s Northern Ireland also made a winning start, defeating hosts of their qualifiers Malta 1-0. Our U18s captain, who scored his first goal for the young Hammers on Saturday in a 3-2 comeback win over leaders Crystal Palace, also featured on the bench.
