Thursday Sep 29 2005 22:14
Scotland misfired in their opening World Cup qualifying game as they found Slovenia a stubborn nut to crack at Hampden.
There was plenty of endeavour and no little invention from the Scots but they could not find a way past a well-organised defence.
Slovenia had their chances too as they opened out in the second half and, over the 90 minutes, a draw was a fair result.
Scotland started well and almost snatched the lead after only five minutes when a flick from Paul Dickov had Borut Mavric at full stretch, but the goalkeeper managed to fingertip the ball onto his crossbar and over.
Barry Ferguson then curled a free-kick over the top before Darren Fletcher had an opportunity from a James McFadden cross, but he could get no power in his shot.
Some of Scotland's challenges were over the top as they competed for everything and both Dickov and McFadden were booked before half-time and Jackie McNamara was lucky to escape a yellow card.
The excellent Gary Naysmith swiped a shot off Aleksander Knavs midway through the first half as Scotland pressed for the opening goal.
It was McFadden who had the best effort of the first half when he was just inches away with a superb effort from just outside the area which had Mavric well beaten.
But Slovenia were dangerous on the break with Nastja Ceh pulling the strings in midfield and prompting his team forward at every opportunity.
Craig Gordon did not look too comfortable when he beat out a shot from Ermin Siljak before Ceh lofted the loose ball over the top.
Scotland finished the first half strongly and a magnificent run and cross from Naysmith sought out Fletcher, but his header looped over.
But Scotland had a major let-off in the 54th minute when Gordon spilled a Ceh cross and Malky Mackay made a great saving header to keep out a shot from Siljak, but the Slovenian striker should have scored.
Moments later, some great lead-up play from Ceh helped create a chance for Milenko Acimovic but he blazed his shot over the top from just 14 yards.
The nervy Gordon then failed to hold a long-range effort from Ceh but managed to grab the ball before it crossed the line.
Nigel Quashie had a wonderful effort at the other end from distance but Mavric clawed the ball over his crossbar.
But Gordon had to come to Scotland's rescue to punch out a Ceh free-kick which almost sneaked in at his far post.
Ceh then tried a long-range effort after a mis-kick from Gordon but it drifted wide.
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