Scotland 0-0 Norway- The verdict
October 13, 2008
By Ross Hart
Chris Iwelumo missed an open goal on his international debut as Scotland struggled to a scoreless draw with Norway at Hampden Park on Saturday.
The Wolves striker, earning his first cap, contrived to side foot the ball wide of the post from 3 yards with the goal gaping after Gary Naysmith fired the ball across goal.
Norway however created more chances and Scotland were indebted to a combination of good goalkeeping from Craig Gordon and wasteful finishing for earning a point.
The result leaves the Scots second in Group Nine behind leaders Holland, but with a mere 4 points to show from their opening 3 matches.
A sell out crowd at the National Stadium rolled up expecting an attacking performance to haul the home side clear of Norway and effectively rule the Scandanavians out of the qualifying equation but George Burley’s team selection was a surprise.
There was no room up front for either Kris Boyd, with 7 goals in 15 caps, or Iwelumo, as the manager opted to deploy James McFadden as the lone striker with Shaun Maloney and James Morrison supporting from the wide areas.
In midfield were Barry Robson, Scott Brown and skipper Darren Fletcher as the 4-5-1 formation, which would become a 4-3-3 when attacking, was utilised once more after its success in Iceland.
However after only five minutes there was a threat to Scotland’s goal as John Carew, who the Scots failed to handle all afternoon, was released towards goal by Steffen Iversen but the Scots just about managed to deny the Aston Villa man a clear strike at goal.
Shortly afterwards Carew again gave the Scots a fright. Having completely beaten the attentions of Caldwell he fired a fierce shot which Gordon saved before Bjorn Helge Riise blasted the second effort way over the bar.
Scotland early on were finding joy with Maloney on the left hand side but without creating much. Norway soon doubled up on the winger to nulify his threat, and long balls towards the lone figure of McFadden were easily mopped up by the visitors’ defence.
The home side did create a half chance when Morrison found himself free on the right side of the box but his low ball across the six yard line saw no takers.
The West Brom man again found himself in the action just before half time, heading a McFadden cross over the bar as Scotland tried to end the half with some urgency.
Burley’s half time team-talk however failed to spark anything into Scotland as Carew again caused havoc, with Gordon again having to save the day.
Scotland were simply all over the place and the fans’ pleas for changes arrived just shy of the hour mark, with Iwelumo and Hibernian’s Steven Fletcher entering the fray at the expense of Morrison and McFadden.
The fans howled their disapproval at the withdrawl of their hero and McFadden himself was clearly disappointed as he made for the bench.
Scotland were now playing two up front and Robson forced Jon Knudsen into his first real save of the game with a volley from outside the area.
As the home side finally began to lift the tempo of the game, Iwelumo then missed the sitter of his career after superb play by Naysmith saw him reach the goal-line and give the 30 year old what seemed like the easiest goal of his career.
It was not to be and although Maloney fired a curling shot wide of the post and Fletcher fired another ball across the box that nobody latched on to in the final minutes, Norway were always a threat and created even more chances as the game reached its conclusion.
The 4,000 Norway supporters, and many of us near to the goal, thought they had scored through centre back Kjetil Waehler, but his header flashed into the side netting.
Moments later Gordon once again proved his worth. Steffen Iversen bundled his way through and the keeper brilliantly saved his initial shot before the danger was averted.
Carew had one final chance to mark a terrific performance with a goal as Davie Weir, otherwise excellent at the back, was caught on the wrong side and as he raced in on goal, the winner seemed inevitable but the hitman spooned his shot over to Scotland’s great relief.
Substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen also saw a late effort saved by Gordon as full time was met by boos from a section of frustrated Scotland supporters. Iwelumo will rue his missed chance but that would’ve simply papered over what was a poor showing from Burley’s team.
Age Hareide commented that his team “deserved all three points”, and he is right to feel aggrieved. Although Scotland enjoyed more possession, Norway had the bulk of the chances and had Carew’s finishing been at its normal standard, they would have won the game easily.
As for Burley, his assertion that there were some “outstanding displays, second half especially” will not mask what was a disappointing day all round.
And with Kris Boyd now having decided not to play for the national side again while he is in charge, the manager is under severe pressure going into the next round of games; a must win home tie with Iceland preceeded by a daunting trip to Holland.
Scotland are by no means out of the race for South Africa 2010, but Saturday’s result ensures they have been slow starters.
Scotland: Gordon; Broadfoot, Weir, Caldwell, Naysmith; Morrison (S Fletcher 57), Brown, D Fletcher, Robson, Maloney; McFadden (Iwelumo 57).
Subs not used: McGregor, Alexander, Boyd, Hartley, Berra.
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