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Honours even at Hampden

Wednesday, 8 September 2004

By Alex O'Henley at Hampden Park

[1] Scotland had to settle for a point as Slovenia held on for a goalless draw in an entertaining and closely fought encounter at Hampden Park. Berti Vogts' side had the better of the first half, but were fortunate not to lose all three points in the second period when defensive errors almost handed Slovenia a win.

Dickov start

[2] Vogts made just the one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Spain in a friendly international last Friday with Blackburn Rovers FC forward Paul Dickov leading the attack instead of Stevie Crawford. Scotland started at a furious pace and almost took the lead on four minutes when Dickov latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the six-metre box. His hooked shot looked to be dropping in under the crossbar, but goalkeeper Borut Mavric tipped the ball over.

Acimovic chance

[3] Having survived the predicted early onslaught, Slovenia swept forward and Milenko Acimovic, who scored a hat-trick against Moldova on Saturday, came close with a curling free-kick from 25 metres. Scotland should have gone ahead on 20 minutes when James McFadden sent his Everton FC team-mate Gary Naysmith through on goal, but the full-back seemed to be taken by surprise and his shot was deflected wide.

Fletcher denied

[4] McFadden came close again nine minutes later when he turned on the angle of the box before firing in a shot that went centimetres over and with half-time approaching Darren Fletcher headed narrowly wide from a Naysmith cross.

Siljak frustrated

[5] Slovenia had the better of the second half and almost opened the scoring minutes after the restart when Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon dropped the ball at the feet of Ermin Šiljak, but the Dalian Shide FC forward delayed allowing centre-back Malky Mackay to block his goalbound effort. The Heart of Midlothian FC keeper caused further anxiety among the home fans on 53 minutes when he failed to hold a long-range effort from Slovenia playmaker Nastja Ceh, but the youngster redeemed his error by racing back to grab the ball before it crossed the line.

Excellent save

[6] Portsmouth FC midfield player Nigel Quashie almost scored the winner for Scotland on 75 minutes when he fired in a powerful shot from 30 metres, but Mavric produced an excellent save to turn the ball round the upright.

Slovenia's Amir Karic with Scotland's Darren Fletcher