Scotland failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage in
their Euro 2012 opener in Lithuania as Craig Levein's competitive debut
as manager ended goalless.
- Lithuania 0-0 Scotland: As it happened
The Scots looked solid and comfortable in possession but they failed to find the breakthrough despite some decent opportunities.
Barry
Robson forced several saves from long range, Kenny Miller headed
straight at the keeper from 12 yards and Steven Naismith lacked
conviction when presented with a shooting chance on the edge of the box.
Miller got the first effort on target but Zydrunas Karcemarskas held his looping, deflected effort from long range.
Allan
McGregor soon made a more impressive stop from Saulius Mikoliunas in
the 18th minute. The ball broke to the left midfielder after he had
scythed down David Weir with a dangerous high challenge but Turkish
referee Cuneyt Cakir waved play on and McGregor did well to beat away
the powerful shot from 15 yards.
Scotland again came close in the
35th minute when Darren Fletcher whipped a free-kick to the back post
where Stephen McManus shrugged off his marker before sending a first
time volley with his weaker foot just past the far post from 12 yards.
Mikoliunas
went down theatrically in the Scotland box as Scott Brown tracked his
breaking run but the Turkish referee rightly waved play on.
Robson
created a great chance four minutes after the break when he got away
from his man and crossed for Miller, but the unmarked Rangers striker
headed straight at the goalkeeper from 12 yards.
Scotland
otherwise struggled to find their attacking rhythm but Steven Naismith
should have done better in the 59th minute after Brown turned a
Lithuanian counter-attack on its head. He fed Fletcher, whose long
diagonal ball fell straight for Alan Hutton. His first-time cross fell
invitingly for Naismith 20 yards out but the subsequent shot lacked
power and direction and was easily held.
Scotland enjoyed some
decent pressure in the closing stages but it was not to be Levein's
night. Naismith hesitated when the ball fell for him 18 yards out,
substitute James McFadden's cutback would not fall for a blue shirt and
Miller headed well over from a difficult chance.
Source: DSG