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NORWAY LAUNCH BID TO END EXILE
Hareide - hopes Norway can qualify.
Norway will be determined to make a solid start to their bid to reach a major tournament for the first time since 2000 when they host Iceland in their opening Group Nine World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
The Scandinavians have struggled on the international stage since reaching the World Cup in both 1994 and 1998, and Euro 2000, and are desperate to end what will be a 10-year exile from elite tournaments by reaching South Africa 2010.
Certainly Norway coach Aage Hareide will never have a better opportunity to break that unwanted trend after being drawn in the only five-team group in the European qualifying zone alongside Holland, FYR Macedonia, Scotland and the Icelandics.
The 2010 World Cup campaign is slated to be Hareide's last having been in the post since 2004, and the 54-year-old is determined to go out on a high.
"This will be my last qualifying campaign as Norway coach," he said.
"I hope it lasts as long as possible, and that we reach the World Cup in South Africa."
Steffen Iversen is back in the Norway fold after being left out of the recent friendly against the Republic of Ireland for disciplinary reasons, although Aston Villa's John Carew will be entrusted to lead the forward line.
Iceland will be bidding to make a strong start to their campaign after enduring miserable results in qualification for the last two major tournaments.
Iceland won just four points in their World Cup 2006 qualifying group and only eight points for Euro 2008 to ensure they remain without an appearance at a major finals to their name.
Olafur Johannesson is the latest man charged with leading Iceland after taking over from Eyjolfur Sverrisson in October.
Scotland coach George Burley has urged the nation not to judge him after just one game as he prepares for his first competitive match in charge in Macedonia.
Burley heads into the clash still searching for his first win since succeeding Alex McLeish in January after his previous three outings in friendly matches produced two draws and a defeat.
He knows expectation will be high now that the action begins for real, but insists Scotland's progress over the entire campaign should determine whether he was the right man for the job, not one match.
"I'll be judged over the eight games," he said.
"It's about Scotland, the country. I want Scotland to do well, the team want to do well, and we need everyone to back each other.
"The friendly games have been great, I've had some very good performances in those games, and it's allowed us to have a look at players, which was very important.
"It's my first World Cup as a manager and I'm learning all the time. It's not about one game, it's not about four, it's about eight."
Scotland will be without midfielder James Morrison, who travelled with the rest of the squad but will miss out through injury.
