Scottish hopes dealt a blow

Scotland's hopes of securing automatic qualification to the World Cup finals were dealt a blow this afternoon when they could only draw 0-0 at home to Croatia. Although Craig Brown's men are still third in their group and level on points with Croatia, they are just outside the play-off spot thanks to a worse goal difference. That leaves Scotland with a tough trip to Belgium next Wednesday where they will have to win to keep Group Six a three-horse race, as Croatia face San Marino on the same night.

However, Brown is still optimistic that his team can make it to the finals through automatic qualification. "If Croatia do beat Belgium at home, we are playing for second place. But statistically we can still make first place. Six points will get us second and maybe win the group," he explained.

"I'm told that a draw in Belgium, or even a defeat, could still see us getting second place. But I'm not contemplating that. We are going to Belgium with a great deal of optimism. I know we can play better than we did today and I know our away form is superb. And I think Belgium are not as good as Croatia," he added.

However, it was a more disappointing day for Welsh boss Mark Hughes after a 0-0 draw against Croatia ensured Wales' faint hopes of reaching the finals in Japan and Korea next summer were finally dashed. But the former Manchester United striker feels his team are heading in the right direction.

"Of course I'm disappointed with the way things have turned out. But I will now turn to the future, play our last couple of group matches and then think about friendlies next year and plans for the next tournament," he explained. "I still think we are going in the right direction. We are a much harder team to beat, we are organised and we have now drawn six of our eight games. Against very good eastern European sides away from home, we have been splendid."

"But I felt we needed to be sharper and quicker in our play. It just didn't happen in that second half and we do not seem able to turn draws and possession into wins. The atmosphere in the dressing room afterwards was very quiet, the lads were very disappointed in the way it went," he added.

Filed by Amanda Fennelly