Norway: Man By Man

Oct 12 2008 By Michael Baillie

JON KNUDSEN 6

MAKING his international debut, he didn't seem overawed. Was protected by a solid defence but wasn't put under enough pressure. Decisive coming for cross balls, although he wasn't hustled enough. Should have picked the ball out his net but Chris Iwelumo missed a sitter.

JON INGE HOILAND 6

GIVEN a torrid time by Shaun Maloney at the start as the Celtic star weaved his way down the left. But the full-back stuck to his task and managed to snuff out the threat of Maloney. Booked for a cynical foul on Barry Robson then breathed a major sigh of relief when skinned by Gary Naysmith but Iwelumo missed an open goal.

JASON WAEHLER 6

CRUISED through first half as he and defensive partner Brede Hangeland shackled James McFadden. Faddy skipped past him once at the end of first half and sent over a cross James Morrison headed over. Thought he'd scored after the break but headed into side-netting from a corner andmissed again late on.

BREDE HANGELAND 7

THE captain was one of the few players who was taller than John Carew. The Fulham centre-half coped with everything Scotland threw at him in the first half when he hardly broke sweat. Put under more pressure after the interval and could have conceded a penalty for a clumsy tackle on Steven Fletcher.

JOHN ARNE RIISE 7

THE Roma star started at left-back where he earned his 74th cap. He was a threat from set-pieces and outmuscled his marker on more than one occasion. He also seemed to be able to launch his throw-ins into the penalty area from anywhere inside the Scotland half.

BJORN HELGE RIISE 6

MISSED a great chance in the first half when he blazed over a rebound after Craig Gordon parried a Carew shot straight to him. Like the rest of the Norwegians, the Lillestrom man seemed to look for Carew whenever he broke forward. Stuck to his task well in the centre of midfield.

FREDRIK STROMSTAD 7

LE MANS star was a major threat to the Scotland defence as he bombed forward but never forgot his defensive duties. Delivered well from corners and set up Carew with a header across goal that David Weir did well to clear. Replaced by Morten Gamst Pedersen after 76 minutes.

CHRISTIAN GRINDHEIM 8

PLYS his trade with Heerenveen in the Dutch top flight and Grindheim showed his class. Stuck to defensive duties in the opening exchanges as Scotland poured forward but as Norway became more of a threat, Grindheim's influence grew. Set up Carew after the break and came close with his own effort.

FREDRIK WINSNES 7

BUSY midfielder seemed to cover every blade of grass. Gave the Norwegians an extra layer of defensive protection, always willing to help out his full-backs whenever they seemed to be in trouble. As Scotland got on top during the second half Winsnes thundered into tackles to try to break up any attacks.

STEFFEN IVERSEN 7

SCOURGE of Scotland when Norway last came to Hampden as his match-winning penalty all but ended our hopes of going to the 2006 World Cup. Iversen was a major injury doubt but was passed fit to play in the hole behind Carew. Could have won it late on but blasted a great chance at Craig Gordon.

JOHN CAREW 8

IN-FORM Aston Villa star led the line on his own but gave the Scotland defence problems. Showed his intentions from the off as he burst through a ruck of blue shirts, with last gasp tackles from Naysmith and Weir denying him. Forced Gordon into a series of saves but had chances to win it.

SUBS

DANIEL BRAATEN (4) replaced Lillestrom midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise after 55 minutes. The Toulouse winger put in a decent shift but failed to score when presented with a late chance. MORTEN GAMST PEDERSEN (3) looked lively after replacing Le Mans star Fredrik Stromstad in 76 minutes and set up Steffen Iversen for a great chance near the end but Craig Gordon brilliantly blocked.