Lithuania made life difficult for Scotland as they closed the game down in midfield and packed their defence. But they also proved lively going forward. Robertas Poskus tested Robert Douglas with a long-range effort which the goalkeeper failed to hold at the first attempt. James McFadden looked the most likely to provide the spark for Scotland and he wriggled past a couple of defenders after 13 minutes but Kenny Miller could not cash in on his final pass. Scotland could not find their rhythm with the game punctuated by stoppages with both sets of players guilty of some rash challenges. Gary Naysmith and Jackie McNamara both picked up needless yellow cards as it Scotland's frustration was obvious. Scotland won a series of corners but failed to put Lithuanian goalkeeper Gintaras Stauce under serious pressure. Douglas came to Scotland's rescue eight minutes from the break when Edgaras Jankauskas set up a chance for Nerijus Barasa and his shot brought a fine reflex save from the goalkeeper. Lithuania finished the first half the stronger as Scotland were clearly toiling to stamp any authority on the game and it was difficult to see where a goal would come from.
Scotland: Douglas, McNamara, Pressley, Dailly, Naysmith, Cameron (Fletcher 66), Ferguson, Rae, McFadden (Graham Alexander 90), Crawford, Miller (Hutchison 66) Subs not used: Neil Alexander, Webster, Wilkie, Harper Lithuania: Stauce, Dziaukstas, Dedura, Barasa, Regelskis (Beniusis 86), Zvirgzdauskas, Vencevicius (Maciulevicius 80), Baravicius (Cesnauskis 45), Jankauskas, Razanauskas, Poskus Subs not used: Zutautas, Alunderis, Buitkus, Skerla Crowd: 50,343 Referee: Claude Colombo (France) | ||||||
Editorial Team Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net) |
