Vogts pleads with Fifa to restore April friendlies

The Scotland manager Berti Vogts has sent a letter to the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, asking for more international friendlies. The German is upset about plans to scrap non-competitive internationals in April because of club commitments. But Vogts, whose side are preparing for a Euro 2004 double-header with Iceland at Hampden Park and then a game in Lithuania, wants to give his developing side more experience.

"They have cancelled April fixtures from 2005 to 2009. April is a very important date for clubs, I know that, but we need friendlies," he said.

Vogts publicly lamented Scotland's display in last month's 2-0 friendly defeat to the Republic of Ireland and said his players would have to show more commitment in their Group Five qualifiers this Saturday and next Wednesday. "I don't know why there is a lack of passion and I spoke to my players about it," he said. "But on Saturday you will see a passionate team. I have told them we have to fight for 90 minutes for this result."

Scotland, joint 60th in the Fifa rankings, are second in Group Five with four points, two behind leaders Germany and one ahead of Iceland and Lithuania. Vogts has no major injury worries in his 24-man squad, while, for Iceland, the Watford striker Heidar Helguson has injured his thigh and has been replaced by Tryggvi Gudmundsson, of the Norwegian club Stabaek.