Burley still buoyant as Scots crash
SCOTLAND boss George Burley insists his team are still on course for a World Cup qualifying play-off spot despite crashing to a 4-0 defeat to Norway in Oslo.
The Scots had defender Gary Caldwell sent off on 34 minutes for two bookable offences, prompting Norway to take control and open up a two-goal lead at the break thanks to goals from John Arne Riise and Blackburn’s Morten Gamst Pedersen.
Erik Huseklepp lashed home the third just after the re-start to take the game beyond the Scots before Pedersen rounded it off in injury time.
Scotland must now win both of their last two qualifiers, to Macedonia and Holland, to stand any chance of going through, but Burley said: “I think six points will be enough. Tonight’s been a disastrous result but circumstances have dictated that.”
Meanwhile, in the friendlies, Wales crashed 2-1 in Montenegro despite a late goal from substitute Sam Vokes, while Northern Ireland slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Isreal.
Two goals from Everton’s Tim Cahill helped Australia beat the Republic of Ireland 3-0 in Limerick.
CARLING CUP SECOND ROUND DRAW
West Brom v Rotherham Utd
Norwich City v Sunderland
Tranmere Rovers v Bolton Wanderers
QPR v Accrington Stanley
Bristol City v Carlisle Utd
Leyton Orient v Stoke City
Port Vale v Sheffield Weds
Hull City v Southend Utd
Leeds Utd v Watford
Cardiff v Bristol Rovers
Portsmouth v Hereford Utd
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Wolves v Swindon Town
Gillingham v Blackburn Rovers
Blackpool v Wigan Ath
Southampton v Birmingham City
Preston v Leicester City
Newcastle Utd v Huddersfield Town
West Ham Utd v Millwall
Hartlepool Utd v Burnley
Nottingham Forest v Middlesbrough
Reading v Barnsley
Swansea City v Scunthorpe Utd
Doncaster Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur
Peterborough Utd v Ipswich Town