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Group A - Scotland-Norway, Gamble pays off in tie for Scots |
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After outclassing three other World Cup-bound teams by a combined 13-2 in six weeks before the tournament, the Norwegians now have a meager two points after yet another draw, 1-1 against Scotland on Tuesday.
"I'm disappointed by our performance," said coach Egil Olsen, whose Norwegians were fourth in the world in FIFA's computer rankings going into the tournament. "We lost our concentration and we were in fact lucky that we didn't lose. But we can still decide things ourselves in our group, and it's a good feeling."
Scotland snatched the draw when midfielder Craig Burley chased down a perfect 25-yard lofted pass from substitute David Weir and volleyed it on one hop over advancing goalkeeper Frode Grodas in the 66th minute.
The goal answered Havard Flo's header in the 46th, and kept the Scots' hopes alive of making the second round for the first time in eight World Cup appearances.
"The Norwegians were getting a little bit tired and a few players were going down with cramps," Burley said. "There was a little more space. The ball was delivered by David Weir over the left centerback's head. It fell nicely. The keeper came out and I mind my mind up: to lob him.
"For a minute I thought it had dropped over the bar. Fortunately it went into the net and I was delighted."
It was the biggest goal ever for Burley, a midfielder from Glasgow Celtic who scored once in 25 previous appearances for the Scots. It came only minutes after coach Craig Brown made two substitutions, bringing on Weir for Colin Calderwood and Jackie McNamara for Darren Jackson, allowing Burley to assume a more central role in midfield.
"When we went behind, there was no option," Brown said. "We had to gamble and move forward. It's OK; the substitution was successful. But sometimes they're successful and sometimes they're not. I'm not going to take huge credit because, quite honestly, we shouldn't have needed that goal to get back in the game. We should've been ahead."
Olsen kept Flo on the team for his strength in the air. And it paid for Norway's only goal when the striker got past Christian Dailly at the far post to head in Riseth's left-wing cross just 30 seconds after the break.
The draw left two disappointed coaches, but Brown moreso because his team outshot Norway 13-6.
"We felt we were the better team," Brown said. "And we're desperately disappointed that we didn't win the match. Only one point in two games is not too pleasing for us."
