Scotland frustrated by Norway

10:24pm Saturday 11th October 2008

Chris Iwelumo marked his international debut with the worst miss of his career as Scotland were held to a goalless draw in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway.

The Wolves striker came off the bench in a bid to salvage the nation's hopes at Hampden - but will instead be forever haunted by the moment he blew Scotland's hopes of a vital victory.

With both sides regarded as the strongest challengers for the coveted runners-up spot behind favourites Holland, this was regarded as a high-stakes game where a win was essential for George Burley's men.

Having collected just four points from three games, Scotland's hopes of booking their place at South Africa in 2010 is already hanging in the balance with a daunting trip to Holland now awaiting them in March.

Scotland dominated the opening spell, winning a couple of corners, before Kirk Broadfoot set up James Morrison for the first real chance. The West Brom midfielder tried his luck from just inside the box but the shot was weak and comfortably collected by Jon Knudsen in the Norway goal.

The visitors had an excellent chance to open the scoring when John Carew exchanged a one-two with Steffen Iversen before racing into the box, with only a timely intervention from Gary Caldwell preventing the towering striker from claiming the opener.

Brede Hangeland then saw his downward header bounce past Craig Gordon's left post from a Fredrik Stromstad corner, although the Scotland keeper looked as though he had the header covered anyway.

Norway threatened again when Carew burst past Caldwell and unleashed an angled drive which was parried by Gordon before John Arne Riise blasted the rebound well wide of target as Hampden breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Carew had established himself as Norway's biggest threat in the first half so it was no real surprise to see the Aston Villa forward bearing down on goal shortly after the restart, his shot swiped to safety at the near post by Gordon.

Wolves striker Iwelumo then squandered an incredible opportunity to mark his debut with a goal within minutes of coming on. Gary Naysmith delivered a superb ball across the face of goal from the left flank and Iwelumo somehow missed the target from a few yards with the gaping net at his mercy, stunning the national stadium into silence.

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