Brede Hangeland: Ref was right not to award penalty

Oct 12 2008 By Gavin Berry

NORWAY captain Brede Hangeland insists Scotland didn't deserve a penalty after he floored Steven Fletcher inside the box.

The Scottish players and the Hampden crowd appealed for a spot-kick after substitute Fletcher looked to have been pulled to the ground by the Fulham man.

But Hangeland played down the second-half incident and laughed: "I can't remember it, what did I do? Seriously, as long as I don't hold him tight, I don't think it's a penalty. I always try to grab on a little bit inside the box but it wasn't given by the referee and that's what counts."

Hangeland couldn't believe the Hampden clash ended scoreless given the amount of chances created by both sides - especially Scotland sub Chris Iwelumo's miss.

Brede said: "I looked across my shoulder and saw him coming and thought it was a certain goal. If he tried again he wouldn't miss it.

"I saw it on TV afterwards and I'm not sure he was offside but it doesn't matter now because he missed the chance.

"It was a bit strange that nobody scored in this game because Scotland had a few big chances and so did we. Maybe it was a fair result."

Hangeland admitted he was happy George Burley started with only James McFadden up front.

And he confessed they troubled Norway more when the Scots introduced substitutes Iwelumo and Fletcher (below) early in the second half.

He said: "It was two different halves. The pace was slow in the first half and it was easier to defend when they only had one striker.

"But in the second half they put on two strikers and played more direct which caused us problems.

"We did well and were dangerous on the counter attack but it was a much more open game, played at a higher pace in the second half.

"We had it figured out in the first half.

"But when they put on the two strikers we knew it would be a different game. They were probably more of a threat when they did that.

"I said before a ball was kicked Holland were the best side and would probably win the group.

"It will be a fight among the rest of us to come second and that remains the same.

"We have played two games and only have two points but we know we can play a lot better.

"Scotland have more points so at the moment they're favourites.

"We still have to play them at home and if we can play better I hope we can beat them. The fight for second place could come down to that game."