EC qualifier in Oslo, October 14, 1998 ====================================== Norway - Albania 2-2 (0-1) Ullevaal stadion Att: 17 770 0-1 Alban Bushi (38) 0-2 Igli Tare (52) 1-2 Kjetil Rekdal (pen. 82) 2-2 Henning Berg (88) Referee: Gerd Grabher, Austria. Yellow card: Jostein Flo (22), Norway, Altin Rrakli (47), Altin Lala (81), Albania. Line-ups -------- Norway (4-5-1): Frode Grodås - Alf-Inge Håland (Steffen Iversen from 57.), Henning Berg, Erik Hoftun, Stig Inge Bjørnebye - Vegard Heggem, Roar Strand, Kjetil Rekdal, Ståle Solbakken (Sigurd Rushfeldt from 90.), Jostein Flo (Ole Gunnar Solskjær from 57.) - Tore André Flo. Albania (4-4-2): Foto Strakosha - Hir Shulku - Altin Lala, Arjan Xhumba, Altin Haxhi - Alban Bushi (Mahir Halili from 84.), Rudi Vata, Bledar Kola (Edmond Dalipi from 90.), Ervin Fakaj - Igli Tare, Altin Rrakli. Other games ----------- 14.10.98 Greece - Georgia 3-0 14.10.98 Slovenia - Latvia 1-0 Latvia 3 2 0 1 4- 2 6 ------------------------------------- Greece 2 1 1 0 5- 2 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Slovenia 3 1 1 1 4- 4 4 Norway 3 1 1 1 5- 6 4 Georgia 3 1 0 2 1- 4 3 Albania 2 0 1 1 2- 3 1 Match report ------------ Another terrible result at Ullevaal, and what's even worse, this time nobody can argue that the draw wasn't a fair reflection of the game. Against Latvia, Norway at least dominated for 90 minutes, whereas the first half against Albania was probably the worst half played by a Norwegian national team in the 1990s. Instead of going out at full force and taking command of the game, the Norwegians allowed Albania plenty of posession to boost their confidence. In the first 45 minutes all Norway created was two half chances! Only two half chances against one of the worst European teams at home. Albeit, Albania are better than most people think, and coach Semb had warned about them before the game, but they are still no world-beaters (no disrespect to Albanian fans). Still, it was something of a surprise when the visitors took the lead, following Hoftun's beginner's error, when he miskicked a clearance which eventually ended up 20 meters from goal, where Bushi lobbed over Grodås. In the second half, it started more or less the same, and on a Albanian counter, Tare scored their second goal. Once more, the defence was at fault, as Tare was the only Albanian player in the penalty area, against three Norwegian defenders. Then, Semb made a double substitution, introducing Solskjær and Iversen. It didn't have an impact immediately, as Norway still had difficulty creating chances, but 8 minutes from time Solskjær was brought down, and Rekdal converted from the spot. This signalled a massive Norwegian pressure for the rest of the game, and suddenly chances were created. Two minutes from time Berg equalized from a corner, and three minutes in injury time, T.A. Flo hit the crossbar, and in the final attack Iversen hit the keeper from 8 meters out with no other Albanians in sight. It should be said though, that Albania very nearly snatched the winner themselves at the 90 minute mark, but Grodås brilliantly save Tare's header. The main reason for the inept display was the arrogance and satisfaction of the team. With the new coach many of the Norwegian players do think highly of themselves, and forget that the basis for a good result, especially when you're individually inferior as Norway mostly are, is hard work in an aggressive zonal defence. This, combined with the conceding of goals at an alarmingly high rate must be resolved unless Norway want to watch EC2000 at the television. Many of the old servants, such as Rekdal, Bjørnebye, J. Flo, who have all experienced two WCs and been vital parts of the Norwegian success, must be now be replaced during by winter break by younger and hungrier players, or at least their position must be considered. Let's hope that Semb does this kind of thinking and works really hard in the forthcoming friendlies, as the next EC game, away to Greece, is a game in which Norway can't afford to lose.