Burley believes Scots can still qualify

AFP - 12 October 2008 02:05

Norway´s Morten Gamst Pedersen (L) challenges Scotland´s Scott Brown during their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match at Hampden Park, in Glasgow, Scotland. Scotland´s World Cup qualification on Saturday hung in the balance after a goalless draw against Norway at Hampden.

GLASGOW (AFP) - Scotland manager George Burley believes his side can still qualify for the World Cup finals despite a goalless draw against Norway at Hampden.

The Scots have had a difficult start to their Group Nine campaign and sit on just four points from their opening three games following a defeat to Macedonia and a win in Iceland.

And with only five games remaining, two of them against group favourites Holland, Burley knows Scotland face an uphill battle to make it to South Africa 2010.

But he insists it is still possible. and says his side's away form will now be vital if they are to qualify for their first finals in 12 years.

"It can still be done and we are going to battle all the way. We said before the game we were looking for three points but we have one," Burley said.

"Our away games are going to be important now as well. We've been to Norway before and won so that is possible.

"I think it was always going to be a tight group. Anybody can beat anybody and it is going to be very competitive all the way through and that showed against Norway," added Burley, who could still not hide his disappointment.

"You are looking to win your home games, there is no doubt about that," he said.

Scotland's next qualifier is not until March 23, 2009 when they travel to face the Netherlands. Four days later Scotland host Iceland at home, and their last three qualifiers will be played in August/September.

Burley added: "We've got Holland away next which is going to be very tough. Norway away is a game where we've got to go and look to win.

"We're still in it. If we got three points against Norway it would have put us in a better position though.

"It's not lost. Getting one point makes it more difficult and we have to be really focussed and learn from it that when you are really on top of teams you have to finish them off."

Scotland's first effort on target came after eight minutes when West Brom's James Morrison was played into the box by Kirk Broadfoot, but his shot was straight at Jon Knudsen.

Aston Villa striker John Carew gave the Scottish defenders all sorts of problems. In the ninth minute he powered through the centre of the Scottish defence and only a last ditch tackle from Gary Caldwell deflected his shot wide of Craig Gordon's post.

Ten minutes later Carew outpaced Caldwell down the left wing and fired in a shot at Gordon who palmed it into the path of Bjorn Helge Riise but he blasted the rebound over the bar.

Kjetil Waehler should have given Norway the lead in the 54th minute when he was found unmarked at the back post but he headed his effort into the side netting.

Chris Iwelumo, on for Tartan Army favourite McFaddden, spectacularly missed a golden chance to put the Scots ahead in the 64th minute.

The Wolves striker, making his international debut, knocked the ball past the post when all he had to do was tap it into the open goal from two yards out following Gary Naysmith's inch-perfect cross.

Scotland had keeper Gordon to thank for saving them in the 85th minute when he blocked a powerful Steffen Iversen volley from six yards out.

Carew should have sealed all three points for Norway when he was one-on-one with Gordon but he chipped his shot over the bar.

In the final minute both Iwelumo and fellow sub Steven Fletcher just failed to connect with a Broadfoot cross as the Norwegians held on for a draw.