SCOTLAND may have lost already to the auld enemy at the World Cup, but they are gearing up for the real "grudge match" against Afghanistan.

Preston Mommsen's team go into their next Pool A fixture, back in New Zealand's 'Scottish' city of Dunedin, on the back of opening defeats against the Kiwis at the same venue and then, of course, England in Christchurch.

Arguably, though, the meeting with their great rivals Afghanistan will be the one they want to win most of all.

It presents both teams with another opportunity to put their first points on the board.

Afghanistan too have lost two out of two, against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, but coach Andy Moles is adamant they are capable of much better.

They and Scotland have had many battles in recent years, as the two associate nations try to move up the global pecking order.

Opener Kyle Coetzer is happy to confirm that, and refer to the Scots' overwhelming success in most recent hostilities - at the tri-series in Abu Dhabi, where they were fine-tuning World Cup preparations.

"It is always a big grudge match for us," the former captain told Cricket Scotland.

"We got the better of them last time we played, when we knocked them over for 60 or so.

"We have fond memories of that, and we know we have a strong chance of beating Afghanistan."

To do so, Scotland will need to iron out one or two frailties which were evident in Monday's 119-run defeat against England.

Coetzer top-scored with 71 but could not keep the chase of 303 for eight competitive, after Scotland had been a little flaky at times with the ball.

"If we had just maybe been able to have got one or two more partnerships, we could have had a good go at that score," he said.

"I think there was an element of scoreboard pressure, and you have to take calculated risks at times.

"(But) I reckon nine times out of 10, myself and Richie (Berrington) would back ourselves to play the shots we got out to."

They have the chance to prove his point tonight.