BURLEY: FOREVER THE OPTIMIST

SCOTLAND 0 NORWAY 0
World Cup Qualifier Hampden Park
October 11, 2008

Scotland Manager George Burley, promised the Tartan Army, "sexy football" in what was a crucial win or bust clash against Norway at Hampden Park at the weekend.

But instead it turned out to be one of an anti climax, with the national side struggling to hold on to a share of the points.

And for debutant Chris Iwelumo, it turned out to be a debut that he and the Scotland fans would want to forget, but unfortunately blew a golden opportunity to steal the points in front of an open goal and two yards out sending the ball wide of the left hand post.

In a formation resembling the one that recorded the first victory of the campaign against Iceland , Burley resorted to one striker, James MacFadden up front.

But reminiscent of the dark days of Berti Vogts, the continuous high balls to the Birmingham striker was a total mismatch as MacFadden was giving away several inches in height, the crosses were food and drink for the visitors.

A change of formation by Burley ten minutes into the second half saw Burley resort to a twin pronged attack with Steven Fletcher and Iwelumo.

And with the Norwegian Keeper not having to make a save in the first half, the Scots were starting to put the visitors under real pressure for a change.

But the goals still were not coming and Rangers goal machine Chris Boyd must have been sitting on a the bench, wondering how he was not getting a game, after substitute Iwelumo blew the mother of all chances in front of an open goal, when he sliced the ball wide of the posts.

Desperation started to creep in as the Scots desperately tried to atone for their errors, but has to settle for a point which in many people's eyes, they were fortunate to have.

In what was billed as a win or bust clash, Burley continued to look at things through saltire colored glasses and insists that they are still in the hunt for a qualification slot, despite an away game against Holland next on the agenda.

He said: "I was disappointed in not getting the three points, but felt positive that we stepped up in quality."

"This was always going to be a tight group and you look to win your home games, but we could not finish it off."

"We are still in it, it can still be done - but we will battle all the way."

With only three games into the campaign, this was billed by many pundits and punters alike as a make of break match for Scotland , not just for the players but for Manager George Burley.

Having got off to the worst possible start in Macedonia , the Scots managed to get their World Cup campaign back on track last month with a scrappy 2-1 win over Iceland .

Nothing else but a win would do this afternoon for the Scots if they were to have a realistic chance of making South Africa in 2010.

But if you through the pressure was on the Scots, then it was worse for the Norwegians following their surprise draw against Iceland in their opening fixture.

And if they did not take anything from this match then their prospects would be dead and buried with the second half of the campaign to go.

With a sell out capacity crowd, the atmosphere was at fever pitch with a trio of two drummers and pipers sounding out the wart chants.

Backed the familiar tones of the legendary Ronnie Browne singing Flower of Scotland. It must be the only time in a sporting even when during the singer yells "COME ONNNNNN" just before verse two.

And it seemed to have the desired effect as the Scots took the game right to Norway during the opening minutes. Looking very sharp and appeared to have the Norwegians rattled.

Hearts were in the mouths of the Scotland fans after 8 mins with Norway 's first real chance of the game in the counter, John Carew got between two defenders but a desperate last gasp challenge forced a corner to the visitors. Thankfully to no avail.

Norway started to come out from deep within their half and was starting to pose the kind of threat that was expected from them.

And the came close in 20 minutes courtesy of some slack play from Scotland, Carew showed Calder a clean pair of heels when his diagonal shot was well saved by Gordon, with Bjorn Helge, slicing the rebound over the bar.

Scotland continued to have their moments in attack but it was not enough cause any problems in the Norwegian penalty box.

With the visiting goal keeper having not made a save during the opening first half, the Scots soon found themselves under the cosh 15 mins before the break.

It is all very well playing attacking football, but you have to put pressure on the box, which is something that Scotland was not able to do in the first half.

Hopes started to rise on the stroke of half time McFadden slipped past is man sending in a cross to the far post with James Morrison getting on to the end of it, but his close range header finished off target.

Despite the lack of activity in the visiting goal mouth, George Burley continued to stick with the same players at the start of the second half, with both teams searching for that elusive opener.

But as in the first half they continued to struggle against the strong physical presence of the Norwegians and almost were caught cold when Carew was clear with the keeper to beat but forced another save from Gordon.

The introduction of Iwulomo an d Fletcher for Morrison and McFadden may not have been well received by the Tartan Army but Scotland were starting to make their presence felt up front but still goal keeper did not have to make any saver.

We then thought that the breakthrough had come in 64 mins following some terrific hold up play from Scott Brown laying the ball to Naysmith who sent the ball across the goal mouth falling to the feet of new boy Iwelumo in front of an open target but got a bad connection and missing a horrendous sitter, sending the ball wide of the target from 3 yards out.

The crowds were on the edge of their seats as the Scots battled desperately to get off the mark, inspired by the determined Brown, in what was his best game in a Scotland jersey in a long time.

Both teams had their chances to nick the points in the dying minutes, but time ran out from both teams with no goals to show for their troubles.