McCulloch and Kav latest from the International scene
Last updated : 09 June 2005 By Paul Farrington
Reports from the BBC
Belarus 0 - 0 Scotland
Scotland's backs-to-the-wall effort in Belarus ensured a point but left Walter Smith's side with an uphill task if they are to qualify from Group Five.
Belarus struggled to penetrate a packed Scottish defence, but goalkeeper Craig Gordon was eventually forced into a series of fine saves after the break.
Yet the Scots created the best chance, Kenny Miller breaking clear but firing straight at goalkeeper Yury Zhevnov.
And Graham Alexander had a long-range effort tipped over the crossbar.
Christian Dailly had started at wing-back for the injury-hit Scots following the withdrawal of Jackie McNamara, while Gary Caldwell returned from suspension in place of the banned Paul Hartley.
With Caldwell protecting the back-four and Kenny Miller the lone striker, it took Belarus, minus injured top scorer Maxim Romashchenko, 30 minutes to seriously threaten the Scotland goal.
And, when Alexandr Hleb and Vitali Byliga finally made space for themselves the box, they fired well over the crossbar.
Byliga was inches from connecting with the dangerous free-kick whipped across the six-yard box and Sergei Omelianczuk sent a 20-yard drive flying a couple of yards over on the stroke of half-time.
Sergei Kornilenko forced Gordon into his first save shortly after the break as Belarus continued to dominate, but the drive from 18 yards flew straight into the goalkeeper's arms.
Scotland came close to taking the lead after 50 minutes when Darren Fletcher sent Miller clear on goal.
The Wolves striker's first-time shot was parried clear by the goalkeeper.
Zhevnov allowed the ball to slip over the goalline after Fletcher returned it into the box, but the Belarus No.1 had been fouled by Lee McCulloch.
Sergei Gurenko responded for Belarus, forcing Gordon to turn his 22-yard drive round the post for a corner.
Byliga, with a low drive from 15 yards, and Omelianczuk from 25 yards also forced the Hearts goalkeeper into two more fine saves.
Zhevnov tipped a 20-yard Alexander drive over the bar as Scotland came close to snatching a late winner against the run of play.
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Belarus: Zhevnov, Kalachev (Vjatscheslaw Hleb 61), Yaskovich, Omelianchuk, Shtanuk, Gurenko, Kovba, Belkevich, Bulyga (Kulchy 86), Aleksander Hleb, Kornilenko.
Subs Not Used: Khomutovsky, Tarlovsky, Ostrovski, Cheljadinskij, Sascheko.
Booked: Yaskovich.
Scotland: Gordon, Weir, Pressley, Webster, Gary Caldwell, Dailly, Fletcher, Ferguson, Alexander, McCulloch (McFadden 76), Kenny Miller.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Steven Caldwell, Thompson, Murray, Riordan, Lee Miller.
Booked: Pressley, Dailly.
Ref: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal).
Faroe Islands 0 - 2 Ireland
An Ian Harte penalty and a deflected Kevin Kilbane shot gave the Republic of Ireland the victory they needed to go back to the top of Group Four.
After dropping two points at home to Israel, the pressure was on Brian Kerr's men and it increased when the Faroes held them to 0-0 at half-time.
But Harte's 51st minute penalty, after keeper Jakup Mikkelsen had brought down Stephen Elliott, calmed the nerves.
Seven minutes later Kilbane's shot went in off home skipper Oli Johannesen.
The Irish endured an uncomfortable opening 45 minutes in miserable, wet conditions and on a bumpy Torsvollur stadium pitch.
Hedin a Lakjuni came within a whisker of opening the scoring midway through the half, while Stephen Elliott, making his first competitive start, clipped the crossbar just before the break.
The Republic got the breakthrough when Harte fired home his second goal in four days, and the 11th of his international career.
Elliott did the work, winning a penalty as he was brought down by Mikkelsen, and up stepped Harte to convert his first penalty since missing a crucial one in the second round of the 2002 World Cup finals against Spain.
The much-needed victory was secured when Johan Byrial Hansen headed clear an Andy Reid cross, it fell to Kilbane for a 25-yard drive which took a wicked deflection off captain Johannesen.
The victory in Torshavn means the Republic of Ireland are on top of a competitive qualifying group going into the summer break.
France, Switzerland and Israel are all challenging Ireland for the one automatic place in Germany 2006 with the runners-up going into a play-off.
Ireland have home games against France and Switzerland to come plus the trip to Cyprus.
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Faroe Islands: Mikkelsen, Hansen, Danielsen, Johannesen, Olsen, Rogvi Jacobsen (Christian Hogni Jacobsen 59), Benjaminsen (Borg 80), Johnsson, Lakjuni, Jorgensen (Akselsen 80), Flotum.
Subs Not Used: Horg, Frederiksberg, Knudsen, Hojsted.
Booked: Lakjuni, Benjaminsen, Mikkelsen.
Rep of Ireland: Given, Carr, O'Shea, Cunningham, Harte, Andy Reid, Roy Keane, Kilbane, Duff, Morrison (Kenny 80), Elliott.
Subs Not Used: McCarthy, Holland, Steven Reid, Kavanagh, Doherty, Lee.
Booked: Roy Keane.
Goals: Harte 51 pen, Kilbane 58.
Att: 4,500
Ref: Anton Guenov (Bulgaria).
