Scotland v Norway: Head to head

Oct 12 2008

CALDWELL v CAREW

IN-FORM Gary Caldwell had the unenviable task of trying to contain Norway's man mountain John Carew and endured a torrid time as Scotland survived several scares.

The 6ft 4in hitman is one of the Premiership's top strikers with five goals already this season for high-flying Aston Villa.

But Caldwell has been Celtic's most consistent defender for months so wasn't fazed by the prospect of trying to halt the Norwegian danger man.

Even thought Carew was leading the line on his own he caused George Burley's men all sorts of problems right from the off.

Equally adept in the air and on the deck, he burst through Scotland's defence in the opening minutes but was denied by a combination of Gary Naysmith and David Weir as the ball flew just wide.

Caldwell was struggling to cope during the first half and Carew spun him on a couple of occasions before testing Craig Gordon.

The Norwegian certainly had the upper hand overall although Caldwell stuck to his task and can be proud of a clean sheet.

How Carew didn't find the back of the net is a mystery, however, especially in the last couple of minutes when he charged to the edge of the area and let fly - only to see his shot deflected narrowly over.

ROBSON v RIISE

BARRY ROBSON has proved his pedigree in the Champions League - yesterday he had his work cut out against a guy whose European Cup winner's medal says it all about his class.

John Arne Riise conquered the continent with Liverpool in 2005 and is one of Norway's most successful players.

He showed again at Hampden why he's still starring at the top level with Roma.

These two have plenty in common other than being fiery redheads - a cultured left foot, explosive shot and the tenacity to bomb forward and score spectacular goals.

They were directly up against each other yesterday but despite being deployed at left-back, Riise was the one who looked more threatening as Robson struggled to offer support from midfield.

The Norwegian packs a thunderous shot and had Scotland worried just before half-time when he unleashed a trademark piledriver that sailed just too high.

In the second half Robson knew he had to exert more influence so tried to cut in and go down a central route.

That brought some joy and Jon Hoiland was booked for a cynical challenge that halted the Celtic star as he raced in on goal.

Robson also saw a snap-shot saved as Scotland pushed in vain for the elusive breakthrough.

McFADDEN v HANGELAND

FRUSTRATED James McFadden will be sick of the sight of big Brede Hangeland after he again got little change out of the Norwegian defender.

The battle between the two at Hampden yesterday was a repeat of their club showdown at the end of last season - and the result was similarly depressing for Faddy.

Hangeland's Fulham dumped Birmingham 2-0 back in May's relegation crunch, a result that went a long way to keeping the Londoners in the English top flight and sending McFadden slumping to relegation.

And Norway's hulking skipper came out on top again at the National Stadium yesterday with a cool and commanding display in the heart of his side's defence.

McFadden endured a miserable afternoon feeding on scraps up front and was offered little support in his lone striker role before being hooked.

It was always going to be a difficult task against a player of Hangeland's height.

But a lack of back-up from midfield made it even harder as Faddy hardly got a sniff of a chance all day and his opponent barely broke sweat.

So was it no surprise the Scotland striker was taken off early in the second half and Hangeland once again had the last laugh as Norway left with a well earned point.