GEORGE BURLEY believes a place in next summer’s World Cup finals is still possible despite Scotland’s 4-0 thrashing by Norway which leaves them needing to win their final two Group Nine games if they are to have any hope of a play-off spot.

Holland 2 Norway 0

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed he turned down the chance to become Norway coach following the recent resignation of Aage Hareide.

Craig Gordon has told Scotland boss George Burley he does not need to play for Sunderland to be ready to face Holland next month.

The Iraq Football Association have sacked coach Adnan Hamad following the team’s failure to progress to the final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

The remaining five places in the finals of Euro 2004 will be taken by the winners of the play-off matches between the 10 teams that finished runners-up in their qualifying groups.