Scotland staked their claim for a place at Euro 2004 today when they beat Holland 1-0 in the first leg of their playoff at Hampden Park.
James McFadden fired Scotland's winner in the 22nd minute to give Berti Vogts's side a slender advantage going into next Wednesday's second leg at the Amsterdam Arena.
Scotland rode their luck as chances fell to Frank De Boer, Jaap Stam and Clarence Seedorf, but the Dutch strike pairing of Patrick Kluivert and Ruud van Nistelrooy failed to ignite.
McFadden (20) smacked home a deflected shot after working a neat one-two with 19-year-old Darren Fletcher, but the Scots had to weather intense Dutch pressure in the closing minutes to hold on to their win.
A late booking for Stam means he will be suspended for the second leg.
Vogts hopes referee Terje Hauge will have a change of mind over the booking that is set to rule Christian Dailly out of Wednesday's second leg in Holland.
Dailly was punished for kicking the ball away in the first half.
Vogts said: "We are talking to the referee and we will send directly the letters to UEFA. It was a decision of the referee and I know the international rule but now we have to talk.
"I think there is no chance but if the referee talks to us and makes a report about that then we have a chance. But what can I do? There was a similar decision against Stevie Crawford in an earlier match and he was suspended for the Germany match. It is the same.
"But maybe the referee will change this decision. Then we will have a chance. We will fight for Christian Dailly, I tell you that."