Scotland held off a late barrage to secure a 2-1 Euro 2008 qualifying victory over Lithuania on Wednesday and move top of Group B.
VILNIUS: Scotland held off a late barrage to secure a 2-1 Euro 2008 qualifying victory over Lithuania on Wednesday and move top of Group B.
Second-half goals by Christian Dailly and Kenny Miller put Scotland in charge before an 85th minute reply by Darias Miceika set up a frantic finale.
Dailly headed Scotland in front 40 seconds into the second half from a corner from Gary Naysmith and Miller doubled their lead after 62 minutes, blasting a shot past goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas.
Lithuania had failed to take several good opportunities but they eventually found the net when substitute Miceika beat Scotland keeper Craig Gordan with an acrobatic bicycle kick.
Scotland opened their campaign on Saturday with a 6-0 thrashing of the Faroe Islands while Lithuania earned a surprise draw with world champions Italy.
Norway maintain perfect start with Moldova victory
OSLO: Late goals by Fredrik Stromstad and Steffen Iversen powered Norway to a deserved 2-0 victory over Moldova in a Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday to maintain their perfect start in Group C.
Stromstad's diving header found the net in the 73rd minute after neat work in the corner by John Carew. Five minutes later substitute Iversen sealed victory when his shot from 20 metres was deflected in by a defender.
Moldova rarely threatened and were reduced to 10 men after Victor Berco was booked for the second time in the 46th minute.
Norway opened their campaign on Saturday with a 4-1 rout of Hungary.
Second-half goals hand Bulgaria 3-0 win over Slovenia
SOFIA: Second-half goals by Valeri Bozhinov, Martin Petrov and substitute Dimitar Telkiiski gave injury-hit Bulgaria a 3-0 win over Slovenia in their first home Euro 2008 Group G qualifier on Wednesday.
Bozhniov, playing his third match in four days after coming on as a substitute in their opening 2-2 draw away to Romania on Saturday and then scoring 24 hours later for the under-21s, put the hosts ahead in the 58th minute.
The flamboyant Juventus striker gave keeper Borut Mavric no chance with a superb left-foot shot from 18 metres and deserved the standing ovation a minute later when he was substituted.
The lively Petrov made it 2-0 with his 14th goal for Bulgaria 12 minutes later as his cross from the right deceived Mavric who failed to hold on to the ball on his line.
Midfielder Telkiiski, who came on early in the second half for Chavdar Yankov, wrapped up the victory 10 minutes from time with a well-taken shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Bulgaria had a penalty appeal waved away by Danish referee Claus Bo Larson midway through the first half when Petrov appeared to be hauled down by a defender while Bozhinov also had a goal isallowed for offside.
Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov, who watched from the stands due to the touchline ban imposed by UEFA for misconduct, was missing four key players including striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Inspired Ricardo earns Portugal a point in Finland
HELSINKI: Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo produced a string of fine saves as the World Cup semi-finalists held on for a 1-1 draw against Finland in their Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.
Portugal had Ricardo to thank for a point after playing most of the second half with 10 men following defender Ricardo Costa's dismissal for a second yellow card on 53 minutes.
Finland, who stunned Poland with a 3-1 away victory in their Group A opener on Saturday. made a bright start with defender Sami Hyypia off target with a free header at the back post.
The hosts took the lead on 21 minutes when Joonas Kolkka broke down the left wing and Jonatan Johansson tapped home his cross. Nuno Gomes equalised four minutes before halftime.
Israel stroll to 4-1 win over Andorra
NIJMEGEN: Israel strolled to a 4-1 win over Group E underdogs Andorra in their Euro 2008 qualifying tie played on Dutch soil on Wednesday.
First half strikes by captain Yossi Benayoun and debutant Amit Ben Shushan plus a Shimon Gershon penalty just before the break put the Israelis in control.
Nigerian-born Toto Tamuz added their fourth goal in the second half to wrap up their second victory in the group after their 1-0 win in Estonia on Saturday.
Andorra defender Fernando Silva was sent off in the 77th minute for a foul on striker Roberto Colautti but they got a consolation goal from substitute Juli Fernandez in the 83rd.
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