Burley takes his Scotland side to Oslo on 12 August

Scotland boss George Burley remains cautious about clinching second place in World Cup qualifying Group Nine, despite encouraging results elsewhere.

Macedonia are level on points with Scotland after a 2-0 home win over Iceland, while Netherlands, who have secured first place, dumped Norway 2-0.

"The group was always going to be tight," said Burley. "We knew that before we started the campaign.

"The teams fighting for second spot can all take points off each other."

Scotland's next match is away to Norway on 12 August as they hunt a play-off berth.

"We know what we have to do now," added Burley.

Remaining fixtures in Group Nine Norway v Scotland (12 August 2009) Iceland v Norway, Scotland v Macedonia (5 September 2009) Scotland v Netherlands, Norway v Macedonia (9 September 2009)

"Going to Norway in August was always going to be crucial.

"But with the Macedonia result (against Iceland) it means that we have to beat them when they come to Hampden in September."

Goals from Aco Stojkov and his substitute Filip Ivanovski handed the Macedonians victory in Skopje to move them onto seven points alongside the idle Scots but having played a game more.

It was their first win since defeating the Scots in the opening round of fixtures.

The Norwegians remain rooted to the foot of the table on three points, but Egil Olsen's men can move to within a point of Scotland with a win in Oslo.

The Dutch - who sealed qualification with victory over Iceland on Saturday and are now 14 points clear at the top of the group - could have scored more than the two they did in Rotterdam.

Dirk Kuyt congratulates Arjen Robben on his strike for the Dutch

Former Blackburn Rovers defender Andre Ooijer - who has just returned to his homeland with PSV Eindhoven - opened the scoring with a free header before half-time.

Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben then ensured victory for Bert van Marwijk's team with a good finish from a tight angle after the break.

Europe's nine group winners qualify automatically for South Africa who stage the World Cup next year, while the eight best runners-up meet in a two-legged shoot-out for the other four places.

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