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Played
September 3, 2010 7:15 PM BST
Referee:‬ Cuneyt Cakir‎
 
90′ +4
AND THAT'S IT!! A goalless draw - it may yet prove a valuable point for both sides, but as the players shake hands, it's Scotland who look the more disappointed having made most of the running. Lithuania can't be too pleased with only one point from a home game, and the real winners are the Czech Republic, who must fancy their chances of being the main challengers to Spain in Group I now. Thanks for joining Goal.com - stick around for all the action, reaction and comment from tonight's Euro 2012 Qualifiers!! Good night!
 
90′ +3
The corner comes to nothing, to the relief of the home side and the disappointment of the visitors. Scotland win a free-kick soon after - now THIS IS the last chance... It's swung in deep, keeper comes... MISSES IT... hooked towards goal... but Karcemarskas recovers.
 
90′ +2
McFadden down the right... CORNER FOR SCOTLAND... one final chance perhaps....
 
90′
Yellow Card Kestutis Ivaskevicius
 
90′
Substitution Steven Whittaker Christophe Berra
 
90′
THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME!
 
89′
Substitution Tomas Danilevicius Kestutis Ivaskevicius
 
89′
Suddenly it's all Lithuania - just minutes ago they looked a spent force. Now the ball falls for Poskus who tries to fire in a shot from the edge of the area, but David Weir closes him down smartly and thwarts the danger.
 
88′
Poskus finds some space on the left, and his chipped cross is headed behind for a corner by Weir. Tense moments these for Scotland, and the Lithuanian home support who are beginning to dream of a late winner. Corner comes in, but again McGregor dominates his area and clears the danger.
 
85′
Lithuania aren't completely done yet though. Danelivicius - a lively presence in this second half - breaks down the right but his cross is blocked. A deep throw-in from Stankelivicius follows, but is easily caught by McGregor.
 
83′
It's all guns blazing from Scotland in attack now - they know a goal now will set them up wonderfully in Group I. Hutton lends himself to attack and drills the cross along the face of the goal, but it's very well cleared by Radavicius under pressure.
 
81′
Whittaker's cross - headed over by Miller. It's all Scotland now, but the goal won't come.
 
79′
Substitution Darvydas Šernas Vytautas Lukša
 
79′
Amazing spell of action there!!! First Naismith is presented with a gilt-edged opportunity just inside the area, but for some reason dallies then passes to McFadden who is in a far worse position. The move temporarily breaks down, only for McFadden to appear again on the left byeline and attempt to pull back a cross, but to no avail. Lithuania are tiring - this is Scotland's game for the taking you'd feel.
 
77′
Yet another free-kick for Scotland - must be comfortably into double figures in terms of free-kicks in promising areas tonight. McFadden to take, but he overhits it and McManus can't get a touch at the far post.
 
76′
James Morrison comes on for Scott Brown, and there's a slight formation tweak as a result - Scotland now playing a 4-4-1-1, with McFadden in behind Miller. Can it bring that elusive goal?
 
75′
Substitution Scott Brown James Morrison
 
73′
Yellow Card Lee McCulloch
 
72′
Edgaras Cesnauskis obviously fancies himself from long range - another 30-yard-plus effort from him, but it clatters off his own player and out for a goal kick. Bit of a waste, as there were other options available.
 
71′
Robertas Poskus comes on for Mikoliunas - plenty of effort tonight from the former Hearts winger, but without success
 
70′
Substitution Saulius Mikoliunas Robertas Poskus
 
69′
Substitution Barry Robson James McFadden
 
69′
First substitution of the night, and it's a popular one with the Tartan Army - Barry Robson goes off, to be replaced by James McFadden. He's seen as something of a talisman by the Scotland support - he has a little over 20 minutes to turn this game in his side's favour.
 
68′
Yellow Card Andrus Skerla
 
67′
Danelivicius releases Mikoliunas down the left wing, and the Lithuanian does well to shake off Hutton and swing in a cross. Far too close to McGregor though, he catches the ball easily.
 
65′
Promising position for Lithuania as Danelivicius tries to scurry in behind the defence, but David Weir's masterful positioning cuts out the danger. The 40-year-old hasn't looked out of place tonight - and they said it was a young man's game these days...
 
63′
Decent position for Fletcher to cross, but he spoons it high into the box and Karcemarskas could have claimed that in his sleep.
 
60′
And now Lithuania have ANOTHER penalty appeal turned down. This time it's Whittaker who leans in on Danelivicius as he's through on goal, but again the referee waves away the claims. Scotland's luck is holding... so far.
 
59′
ANOTHER GREAT CHANCE FOR SCOTLAND!!! Oh, how they could end up ruing these missed chances. Fletcher plays a majestic pass from deep that finds Hutton. He lays it off first time on the edge of the box into the path of Naismith, who shoots tamely at the keeper with the goal at his mercy. What a chance.
 
58′
Robson is the main creative source for Scotland tonight - another cross almost finds Naismith, but Karcemarskas collects well.
 
55′
Lithuania have clearly been read the riot act at half-time by manager Raimundas Zutautas, as they are making a concerted effort to get their foot on the ball in midfield and dominate from there. It hasn't brought any reward so far, but it's a much improved midfield effort in the early stages of the second half.
 
52′
ANOTHER PENALTY SHOUT, this time Lithuania. Cesnauskis tumbles to the turf, right on the corner of the penalty area. Was it an accidental clip of his heels? The referee decides so - but that was another strong claim for the home side.
 
50′
WHAT A CHANCE!!! GREAT CHANCE FOR SCOTLAND!!! Hutton and Robson link up very well down the right, and Robson's right foot cross is begging to be headed in by Miller. He's 10 yards from goal, unmarked, centre of the penalty area!!! And heads it straight down the goalkeeper's throat. Groans from the Tartan Army - was that THE chance?
 
49′
AMBITIOUS FROM CESNAUSKIS!!!! 30 yards out, perhaps more, and the Lithuanian winger takes a left-foot swinger of an effort. It sails high over McGregor's bar into the Kaunas night sky.
 
47′
Different half - same routine. Scotland's first attack is broken up by a foul 25 yards from goal. Robson to take - but he smacks it straight into the wall. It's like half-time never happened....
 
46′
The teams are back out, Scotland to kick off - and we're under way again here in Kaunas!!!
 
45′
Wow, no stoppage time at all. The referee blows his whistle. LITHUANIA 0-0 SCOTLAND. Join us for the second half in 15 minutes.
 
44′
Closing moments of the half now - a goal for either side would be huge just before the break. Lithuania ending the half on the front foot.
 
42′
Yellow Card Scott Brown
 
42′
Well, it had been coming - Brown is booked for a scything challenge on the Lithuanian skipper Andrius Skerla. Deserved.
 
41′
Ohhh, very lucky boy, Scott Brown. Mikoliunas is set clear with a pass into the box, and Brown collides with the Lithuanian in the box. PENALTY scream the home fans, and they continue to wail as the referee waves play on. Seen them given.
 
38′
Oops. Not a good moment for Stankevicius, the Lithuanian right-back. A harmless long ball is bouncing towards the touchline, and he somehow allows it to bounce off his toe and out for a Scotland throw-in with not a blue shirt in sight! The travelling Tartan Army enjoyed that one!
 
35′
OHH, CLOSE AGAIN FOR SCOTLAND!! Another free-kick, this time taken from deep by Fletcher, and his perfectly arched delivery somehow finds Stephen McManus at the far post. He volleys goalwards, but the ball doesn't quite have enough curve on it to sneak into the net. Stunning effort from the centre-back though.
 
32′
Promising break for Scotland as Miller holds up a long ball well and finds Naismith, but again his pass is poorly weighted and Darren Fletcher can't beat Stankevicius to the ball.
 
29′
CHANCE FOR SCOTLAND! Great effort from Robson on the right, a fierce drive that Karcemarskas again parries well but only as far as Darren Fletcher. He plays a clever ball inside to Naismith, who goes down under a challenge. PENALTY?!?! Not given, correct decision from the referee as there was minimal contact.
 
28′
OOOHHH, that's gotta hurt! Lee McCulloch jumps high above Darvydas Sernas and clatters the Lithuanian with his knee. He's made of stern stuff, though, and a swift rub on his bonce and he's happy to play on.
 
26′
Almost comical disaster for Lithuania!! Short back pass to Karcemarskas and Miller is on top of the goalkeeper in an instant!! Good first touch from the goalkeeper, and he earns a foul from the Scotland striker, much to the relief of the home support.
 
25′
Andrius Skerla is living dangerously - that's yet another foul around 25 yards from his own goal. He escapes a booking, but will Lithuania survive another set-piece? Robson to take with that dangerous left foot of his ... DRILLS IT AROUND THE WALL... SAVED by Karcemarskas. Good, solid parry by the goalkeeper there.
 
23′
Lithuanian appeals for a penalty this time, as Cesnauskis goes tumbling under a challenge from Whittaker. No foul though, as Cesnauskis basically lost his balance and even holds his hands up in acknowledgement.
 
21′
There's a flow to the game now - Scotland attack, Lithuania drag them to the floor. Mikoliunas this time with a foul on Hutton. Free kick on the right, delivery from Robson.... poor cross, easily cleared by the first defender.
 
19′
Another free-kick to Scotland, another booking for Lithuania - this time for Deividas Semberas. Robson to take the kick, left-footed..... straight at the goalkeeper.
 
18′
Yellow Card Ramunas Radavicius
 
17′
Straight down the other end go Lithuania, and Saulius Mikoliunas finds himself free in the penalty area. SHOOTS..... SAVE BY McGREGOR!!!! Excellent save from the Scotland goalkeeper from a fierce left-foot shot high above his head.
 
16′
And a shot on target!!!! Kenny Miller it is with a looping effort that takes a deflection on the edge of the box, but Karcemarskas gathers with ease.
 
15′
Yellow Card Tadas Kijanskas
 
15′
The first yellow card of the game, and it goes to Tadas Kijanskas - hard to work out why though. It was Deividas Sembaras who committed the foul on Barry Robson that brought the free kick. Strange refereeing.
 
14′
Barry Robson is the next to threaten, bursting into the box and colliding with the defender. Optimistic shouts for a penalty from the Tartan Army, but a corner is awarded. Robson's cross is far too close to Karcemarskas in the Lithuania goal though.
 
13′
Alan Hutton shows for the first time on the right flank, bursting past Saulius Mikoliunas but eventually running out of space and composure. Scotland are making inroads on the wings though.
 
12′
It's a very scrappy game so far, lots of niggly fouls stopping the flow of the game. Scotland are looking the more composed side in possession though.
 
9′
Brown tries to make amends for his clumsiness in front of goal, but with an equally clumsy challenge on the flank that gives Lithuania a free-kick in a threatening position. Nothing comes of the set-piece, though.
 
7′
First chance of the game, and it falls Scotland's way. The Rangers duo of Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith combine down the left, and Naismith's centre is perfect for the onrushing Scott Brown, who takes a fresh air swipe and crumples flat on his face. Ungainly from the Celtic midfielder.
 
4′
OOPH!!! Hefty challenge from Andrius Skerla on Barry Robson on the halfway line. Extremely lenient refereeing not to take the Lithuanian's name in his little black book and issue the game's first yellow card.
 
3′
Fairly clumsy start from both sides so far, typified by a routine pass from Steven Naismith to Kenny Miller being overhit and forcing the Rangers striker to scurry after it before failing to keep it in play.
 
1′
Lithuania to kick off - and we're off!!!
 
 
Oooo - clever attempt from Lee McCulloch, chipping a ball over the defence in the hope that McFadden could sneak in behind. Well cut out by Radavicius though. Smart play all round.
 
 
One point to make about the Lithuanian line-up - the Cesnauskis listed is Edgaras, and not former Hearts winger Deividas, who is out injured. Those familiar with Deividas' time at Tynecastle won't be too surprised by that news.
 
 
The teams are out, the Tartan Army have given a boisterous rendition of Flower of Scotland, and we're just about ready to get under way. Hold on to your hats!
 
 
It's a stern test that awaits Craig Levein in his first competitive match as Scotland manager. He makes eight changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Sweden in a friendly last month, with Kenny Miller the lone striker and Lee McCulloch making his return to the international scene after retiring while George Burley was in charge.
 
 
Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, McManus, Whittaker, Darren Fletcher, McCulloch, Brown, Robson, Miller, Naismith. Subs: Marshall, Berra, Boyd, McFadden, Hartley, Morrison, Dorrans.
 
 
Lithuania: Karcemarskas, Stankevicius, Skerla, Radavicius, Kijanskas, Semberas, Panka, Edgaras Cesnauskis, Mikoliunas, Danilevicius, Sernas. Subs: Arlauskis, Poskus, Pilibaitis, Luksa, Ivaskevicius, Beniusis, Dedura.
 
 
Good evening and welcome to Kaunas for the Euro 2012 Qualifier between Lithuania and Scotland. Team news is in, and we're just over 10 minutes away from kick-off.