what a fckn miss 2 yards from an open goal

Chris Iwelumo missed an open goal on his international debut as Scotland suffered a blow to their World Cup hopes with a draw against Norway.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ls/7654327.stm

Chris Iwelumo missed an open goal on his Scotland debut as his country suffered a blow to their World Cup hopes with a draw against Norway.

The 30-year-old Wolves striker placed the ball wide from just three yards with the goalkeeper stranded just moments after coming off the bench.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon had saved well from Bjorn Helge Riise and John Carew as Norway threatened.

And, despite most pressure, the Scots did not do enough to deserve a win.

It leaves Scotland with just four points from their first three games in Europe's Group Nine qualifying group.

Scotland manager George Burley had promised continuity following the 2-1 victory in Iceland and made only two enforced changes.

With veteran David Weir replacing the suspended Stephen McManus and James Morrison on the wing in place of the injured Kris Commons, it meant a flexible 4-5-1 system.

That could become 4-3-3 when Scotland were on the attack and that's how it was in the early stages as Burley's side took the game to their opponents.

Some neat passing gave Morrison a sight at goal, but the West Brom winger's drive from the edge of the box failed to give an early test to Jon Knudsen, the Stabaek goalkeeper given his debut at the age of 33 in place of Rune Jarstein, who had shouldered the blame for Norway's 2-2 draw with Iceland.

But their two-goal hero from that game, Steffen Iversen, had recovered from injury to spearhead an attack that was dangerous on the break.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker threaded the ball through for John Carew and only with the combined attentions of Gary Naysmith and Gary Caldwell did the Scots manage to bundle the ball wide of their own post.

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland also headed a few yards wide after rising unchallenged to meet a corner and the Scots were fortunate to survive after another break by Carew.

The Aston Villa striker beat Caldwell for speed and, when goalkeeper Craig Gordon beat away the powerful 18-yard drive, Bjorn Helge Riise should have done better than blast wildly over from the edge of the box.

Scotland upped the pressure but without seriously threatening Norway's rookie goalkeeper and James McFadden became an increasingly isolated figure on his own up front.

McFadden did create Scotland's best opening on the stroke of half-time, the Birmingham City man's deep cross being headed over from a difficult angle by Morrison.

Norway were first to threaten after the break, Carew turning well inside the box, but his low effort was easily held by Gordon and the goalkeeper had to push the ball clear when the big striker was played through moments later.

Kjetil Waehler headed into the side netting from a corner and the danger signals inspired Burley to replace Morrison and McFadden with Chris Iwelumo and Steven Fletcher.

Norway brought on the more offensive Daniel Braathen for Bjorn Helge Riise but were immediately on the defensive with Barry Robson forcing a first save from Knudson with a stinging volley from the edge of the box.

Scotland were now playing two up front and Iwelumo missed an absolute sitter when a low Naysmith cross found the Wolves man unmarked three yards out but he somehow side-footed the ball wide.

Shaun Maloney fired a drive just wide of the far post from 20 yards and had another effort deflected wide from 10 yards.

Waehler struck the post with another back-post header, while Gordon did well to deny Iversen after the striker was picked out by Morten Gamst Pedersen and Carew fired just over after breaking clear as Norway ended the game the better side.

Scotland: Gordon, Broadfoot, Weir, Caldwell, Naysmith, Brown, Darren Fletcher, Robson, Morrison, McFadden, Maloney. Subs: McGregor, Alexander, Iwelumo, Boyd, Hartley, Steven Fletcher, Berra.

Norway: Knudsen, Hoiland, Waehler, Hangeland, John Arne Riise, Bjorn Helge Riise, Stromstad, Grindheim, Winsnes, Iversen, Carew. Subs: Jarstein, Pedersen, Skjonsberg, Elyounossi, Haestad, Braaten, Haland