FT: Lithuania 0 Scotland 0

Last updated: 3rd September 2010  

FT: Lithuania 0 Scotland 0

Full Time That's your lot. Scotland will probably be cursing themselves they've not emerged with all three points but they can take great pride in their performance tonight.

Yellow Card90+3 The referee waves his yellow card in the direction of Ivaskevicius and Poskus. Should really be the former booked but not clear who actually has been cautioned there.

90+3 Ivaskevicius brings down Hutton for a late Scotland free-kick but the full-back's reaction is petulant as he squares up to the substitute. No need for that. It was a foul but the referee had things under control.

90+2 McFadden lofts it in towards Berra and he gets his head to it but as it drops McCulloch is pulled up for a foul on the edge of the box.

90+2 James McFadden forces a late corner for Scotland.

90+1 We're into three minutes of added time - and still no sign of Hutton letting his standards slip as he heads a dangerous ball into the Scotland box clear.

Substitution Lithuania bring Ivaskevicius on for Danilevicius.

Substitution90 Scotland bring Berra on for Whittaker - presumably he's struggling with that foot/ankle problem from earlier.

89 Panka smacks a shot in but it's blocked by Weir.

89 Lithuania looked tired about five minutes ago but they're coming in waves now. Can Scotland hold on here?

88 Good ball in from Cesnauskis but the Scotland defence aren't in the mood to let things slip now and it's powerfully headed clear.

87 Poskus dinks a cross into the Scotland box which Weir turns behind for a corner.

86 Free-kick Lithuania down the right.

85 Stick or twist from Craig Levein? Will he decide to throw Kris Boyd on for the closing stages?

84 McFadden smacks a cross in without really looking and it's easily cleared by the Lithuania backline.

83 Hutton again pops up in the final third but has to be content with a throw-in this time as he can't get a bouncing ball down.

82 Hutton continues to impress down the right - he's been my man of the match so far and I can't see that changing in the closing eight minutes.

81 Stankevicius rather slashes at his attempted clearance and Radavicius misses it on the bounce. Good goalkeeping from Karcemarskas, though, as he gathers strongly despite pressure from McFadden. He's given the free-kick - but didn't need it.

80 Excellent ball in from the left from Whittaker but Miller gets too much on what should be a glancing header and the ball sails over the crossbar. Decent chance.

Substitution79 Sernas replaced by Luksa in the Lithuania line-up.

78 Lively start from Morrison as he sends a lovely cross into the Lithuania box. Naismith just can't get it under control, though, and another 'chance' - though he never really had the chance to get it away given his bad control - goes begging.

77 McFadden's curling free-kick just evades McManus at the back stick. Think he was a yard offside in any case.

77 The referee has to get involved as McCulloch hits the deck as the players await the free-kick. Just a ticking-off for the two players involved.

76 Scotland get another free-kick in Lithuania territory. The big men are heading up from the back.

Substitution76 Scotland bring Morrison on for Brown.

75 Panka curls a ball in from the left but it's well headed clear by Whittaker on the other side. Lithuania look to get it back into the box but Danilevicius is penalised for a foul on McManus.

74 McCulloch clips a lovely ball forward towards McFadden but Skerla is live to the danger and tracks back to head clear. Excellent defensive work.

Yellow Card73 Not sure if it was for something he said but McCulloch was booked there. Didn't seem to be the worst of challenges.

72 McCulloch penalised for fouling Cesnauskis in the air.

Substitution71 Lithuania bring Poskus on for Mikoliunas, who has got no change at all out of Hutton. The new arrival is a striker so could shake things up a little bit.

70 Silly foul on Naismith by Stankevicius, who charges into him from behind. The free-kick comes to nothing, though, as Miller overhits his attempted ball wide to Naismith.

Substitution69 McFadden replaces Robson. Robson's linked really well with Hutton all night but I think it's fair to say his set-pieces - particularly free-kicks - haven't been up to his usual standard.

69 Robson's free-kick again comes to nothing. Scotland have McFadden lined up to come on.

Yellow Card68 Another booking in the Lithuania ranks as Skerla is cautioned for a foul on Miller, who has taken a real buffering tonight.

67 Mikoliunas whips a decent enough ball into the Scotland box but McGregor is live to the danger and gathers well.

66 Good run from Whittaker down the Scotland left but he's eventually snuffed out by Stankevicius near the byline.

65 Really good play from Hutton as he wins the ball back for Scotland right near his own byline then links well with Robson to get the visitors on the attack.

64 Fletcher penalised now for a foul on Cesnauskis. This sort of fragmentation is playing right into Lithuania's hands as Scotland have been on top and look the better side.

63 Robson looks to have been caught in possession by Mikoliunas but the referee's whistle pulls the Lithuania man back. He's not happy, but the referee won't have his mind changed.

62 Hutton just fails to keep the ball in play down the right but the throw-in is woeful and drifts out to give Scotland possession again.

61 Looks like Whittaker has taken a sore one on the bridge of his foot. He doesn't need treatment though - he'll soldier on.

60 Much better from Lithuania as Danilevicius and Sernas link up well just inside the Scotland box. McGregor is out quickly, though, and a bad touch fron Danilevicius forces him wide and Scotland are back in numbers to clear the danger.

59 Scotland work a shooting chance for Naismith but again it's straight at the goalkeeper. That's severn shots from the Scots but they're still lacking that bit of quality in the final third.

58 Good tracking back from Brown as Danilevicius makes progress centrally.

57 Robson floats a decent ball into the Lithuania box but dominant goalkeeping Karcemarskas as he gathers comfortably with Naismith loitering at the back post.

56 A Lithuania free-kick smashes into Fletcher in the box and there are muted appeals for handball but the referee immediately waves play on. Danilevicius for one is raging.

55 Fletcher and Danilevicius tangle as the former tries to keep the ball from crossing the Lithuania byline. They both slide off towards the athletics track but shake hands quickly.

54 Fletcher almost squeezes the ball down the left flank to Miller, but Scotland do get a throw deep in Lithuania territory.

53 Very, very scrappy at the moment - too many fouls from both teams making it really disjointed.

52 Cesnauskis looks to have been tripped on the edge of the Scotland box but the referee waves play on to the fury of the Lithuanian. Miller breaks but he's well challenged.

51 Hutton just in danger of losing his head here a little as he smacks a free-kick quickly with the Lithuanians not retreating. He's got to keep his cool as Scotland are right on top.

50 Great work from Scotland down the right once again as Hutton and Robson link up. The latter's right-footed cross is right onto the head of Miller but his header is straight at Karcemarskas. Should have done better but another sign of Scotland's threat down the right flank.

49 Cesnauskis fires in an angled shot with his left foot but it's never troubling McGregor as it sails over the crossbar.

48 Robson penalised now for a foul on Radavicius.

47 Robson's free-kick strikes the wall and flies out for a throw.

46 First free-kick of the half goes the way of Scotland as Skerla is penalised for a foul on Miller.

45 Scotland get us back under way - no changes for either side.

Half Time That's the break. Been an impressive first 45 minutes from Scotland in general, though they're yet to find the goal their football probably deserved. Indeed it's McGregor who has produced the only 'real' save of the match so far.

45 Scotland knocking the ball around nicely as the clock ticks down.

44 Hutton and Robson link well down the right again but the latter's ball in is headed clear. For all their possession they're just lacking the requisite bit of quality in the final third at the moment.

43 Free-kick comes to nothing with the Scots pressing well again.

Yellow Card42 Brown the first Scot in the book as he trips Danilevicius. Probably his first foul of the game so he's not too impressed to be booked but it was a poorly-timed tackle from behind so he can't really have too many complaints.

41 Home fans appealing for a penalty now, but it's simply good, strong defensive work from Brown as he gets his body across to block Mikoliunas' progress.

40 Lovely ball from McCulloch out to Hutton on the right but he's forced back. Scotland keep the ball though - they've done that really well for much of the first half.

39 Robson whips the free-kick in but Stankevicius atones for his earlier error with a powerful headed clearance. Scotland work it back in to Miller but he has a rush of blood and smacks it straight behind when presumably attempting to cross.

38 From the throw, Scotland work it out to the right but Robson's cross is blocked. He picks it up again, though, and Mikoliunas trips him. Hutton and Robson are giving him a torrid time.

37 Really poor play from Stankevicius as he takes his eye off a harmless bouncing ball and it squirts out of play off his toes.

36 Miller just strays offside as he tries to latch onto Robson's ball down the inside-right channel.

35 McManus just caught out a little but Weir covers well and shepherds the ball back to McGregor.

34 Scotland so close to taking the lead. It's Fletcher who takes the free-kick in to McManus at the back post but his volley flashes across goal and out for a goal-kick.

33 Miller gets a sore one from Kijanskas. Another free-kick for Scotland - can Robson find that bit of quality with his delivery?

32 Lithuania enjoy their first extended spell of possession but credit to Scotland they press from the front and after Lithuania work it back to Karcemarskas he can only smack it straight out of play for a throw. Craig Levein will be delighted.

31 Fletcher looks to get in behind Semberas but Naismith's ball is short. Probably should have looked the other way as Miller was well placed on the right.

30 Strong defending from McManus as he beats Cesnauskis to the ball in aerial combat on the edge of the Scotland box. He was fouled in any case so Scotland clear with the free-kick.

29 Robson smacks in a shot from distance which Karcemarskas parries away. It's worked back into the box and Naismith goes down under pressure but it's a fair challenge and the referee waves play on.

28 Play is halted with Sernas struggling - got a knee in the back from McManus in an aerial challenge. As soon as the referee's whistle blows, though, he trots back into position albeit with a rueful rub of the head.

28 Fletcher does well to cut back on the inside and get a cross in, though it's ultimately blocked out for only a throw. Positive play from the Manchester United man there.

27 Miller puts Karcemarskas under pressure as he takes a bad touch after a back pass, but it's a clear trip and the referee rightfully pulls him back as he chases after the loose ball.

26 Naismith penalised for a little shove on Skerla out wide. Painful one for the Lithuanian defender as he slid out onto the athletics track. Fair play to him, though - he was quickly back onto his feet.

25 Robson curls in the free-kick but it's too close to the goalkeeper, who plunges away to his right to push it away from danger.

24 Naismith scythed down by Skerla centrally. Poor challenge and a great chance for Scotland to shoot - it's about 23 yards out centrally. One for Robson I'd wager.

23 Cesnauskis goes down in the Scotland box all too easily under pressure from Whittaker. He doesn't appeal for a penalty, though, and raises a hand in apology presumably for the dramatic nature of his fall.

22 Robson curls the free-kick in but it's a poor one and Lithuania clear at the front post.

21 Hutton again skips down the right - he's made a really impressive start. This time it's Mikoliunas who halts him illegally and it's another free-kick for Scotland in a useful position.

20 Robson curls in the shot but it's straight down the goalkeeper's throat and his handling doesn't let him down.

Yellow Card19 Second booking as Radavicius is cautioned for a clear trip on Hutton as he looked to break down the Scotland right.

18 Out of nothing Lithuania put together an excellent move, though there's a clear foul on Weir on the build-up. Mikoliunas gets through on the 'keeper but McGregor saves well and Scotland scramble it clear.

17 Miller and Fletcher link well around 20 yards out but there's a deflection on the shot which ultimately makes it comfortable enough for Karcemarskas to gather.

16 Free-kick whipped into the Lithuania box but Kijanskas slashes it clear. Still a throw for Scotland, though, and they're definitely on top at the moment.

Yellow Card16 We weren't too far away from the first yellow card of the game as I said. Kijanskas the man in the book for fouling Brown. Hopefully we'll get a bit more flow to the game now.

15 Ball whipped in towards the back stick but Karcemarskas gathers comfortably. Poor delivery - much too close to the goalkeeper.

15 Robson goes down in the Lithuania area and the Tartan Army are up and appealing for a penalty. It's a corner, though, as Kijanskas played the ball before colliding with Robson.

14 Hutton tries to link with Robson down the right but the return ball is just overhit and drifts behind for a goal-kick. Encouraging, though.

13 Another free-kick to Scotland in midfield as Whittaker is fouled by Cesnauskis. We can't be far away from the first booking here - we're hearing plenty of the referee's whistle.

12 Brown glares at the referee despite being awarded a free-kick centrally. Think he was looking for a card there. Anyhow, the free-kick ultimately comes to nothing as Scotland's passing lets them down.

11 Miller goes down under pressure from Kijanskas out wide and appeals for the free-kick but there's nothing doing from the officials. Looked to be a little shove on the striker there.

10 Poor ball in at waist-height and Scotland clear, but it's far from convincing and it's worked back into the box. Scotland manage to scramble it clear this time, but it's not particularly pretty.

9 Brown penalised for a foul as Lithuania break down their left. Good chance to send their big men forward and whip the ball in.

8 First real flash of any quality that was - encouraging from Scotland but they need to be taking advantage of any chances they can carve out.

7 Good run from Naismith down the left flank in behind onto a ball from Whittaker and he cuts a lovely ball back for Brown, who has a fresh-air shot and the ball is cleared. Should have got that on target at the very least.

6 Mikoliunas now pulled up for a foul on Hutton.

5 Scrappy stuff here in the early stages. This time Robson is penalised for a foul on Semberas.

4 Skerla goes in hard on Robson and Scotland get the free-kick. Pretty robust challenge that one.

3 Miller does well to keep a poor ball from Naismith in down the left, but in doing so simply gifts possession back to the hosts.

2 Free-kick comes to nothing. Still early days but neither side has really settled into their task here yet.

2 First Scotland free-kick as Miller draws a foul from his marker on halfway. Clever play from the Rangers frontman that.

1 The Tartan Army are out in force tonight - boos greet an early spot of possession football from the home side.

0 We're under way!

For those who like their team news in text format, Scotland manager Craig Levein has surprisingly picked Steven Naismith ahead of James McFadden. Naismith and Barry Robson start in midfield along with Lee McCulloch as Levein makes eight changes to the team that lost 3-0 in a friendly in Sweden last month. McFadden, Kris Boyd and Graham Dorrans are among the substitutes along with Christophe Berra, who is the only defender on the bench. Hearts skipper Marius Zaliukas misses out for Lithuania after reporting a minor injury problem while Aberdeen loan signing Andrius Velicka is also absent. But former Hearts midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas, who was banned for two games after diving to win a penalty during the last meeting between the nations, starts for the hosts.

Sky Bet Fancy a bet on tonight's game? It's not far off a pick 'em between the sides with Sky Bet. They go 13/8 Lithuania, 6/4 Scotland with the draw a 2/1 shot.

Our referee tonight is Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey).

Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, McManus, Whittaker, Darren Fletcher, McCulloch, Brown, Robson, Miller, Naismith. Subs: Marshall, Berra, Boyd, McFadden, Hartley, Morrison, Dorrans.

As promised, here's the teams. Lithuania: Karcemarskas, Stankevicius, Skerla, Radavicius, Kijanskas, Semberas, Panka, Edgaras Cesnauskis, Mikoliunas, Danilevicius, Sernas. Subs: Arlauskis, Poskus, Pilibaitis, Luksa, Ivaskevicius, Beniusis, Dedura.

Welcome to our coverage of this Euro 2012 qualifier. We'll have the teams shortly, but in the meantime feel free to let me know your thoughts on reece.killworth@bskyb.com.

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