EC qualifier in Ljubljana, October 10, 1998 =========================================== Slovenia - Norway 1-2 (1-1) Central stadium Att: 8000 1-0 Zlatko Zahovic (24) 1-1 Tore André Flo (45) 1-2 Kjetil Rekdal (80) Referee: Andreas Schluchter, Switzerland. Yellow card: Ales Ceh (15), Darko Milanic (60), Slovenia, Erik Hoftun (37), Norway. Line-ups -------- Slovenia (4-4-2): Marko Simeunovic - Marinko Galic - Darko Milanic, Aleksander Knavs, Mladen Rudonja - Doni Novak, Ales Ceh, Zlatko Zahovic, Miran Pavlin - Milan Osterc (Robert Englaro from 46.), Saso Udovic (Milenko Acimovic from 65.). Norway (4-5-1): Frode Grodås - Alf-Inge Håland, Henning Berg, Erik Hoftun, Stig Inge Bjørnebye - Vegard Heggem (Vidar Riseth from 86.), Roar Strand (Daniel Berg Hestad from 78.), Kjetil Rekdal, Ståle Solbakken, Jostein Flo - Tore André Flo (Sigurd Rushfeldt from 90.). Other match ----------- 10.10.98 Latvia - Georgia 1-0 Latvia 2 2 0 0 4- 1 6 ------------------------------------- Georgia 2 1 0 1 1- 1 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Norway 2 1 0 1 3- 4 3 Greece 1 0 1 0 2- 2 1 Slovenia 2 0 1 1 3- 4 1 Albania 1 0 0 1 0- 1 0 Match report ------------ This report is based on highlights only, as I was celebrating my 30th birthday on the night of the game. Norway started brightly, and created a couple of half-chances in the first ten minutes. Then, the home side took over and it was not undeserved that they took the lead, although the goal itself was bizarre. Left back Bjørnebye stopped playing because he thought the linesman had signalled that the ball was out on the sideline. Instead, he signalled quite the opposite, and Novak took advantage of the situation, passed Bjørnebye, and centered to Zahovic, who scored with ease. A big mistake by such an experienced player as Bjørnebye, because in football you're taught to play until the whistle goes. After that, Norway were with their backs against the wall, as another deafeat would have been disasterous. Luckily, one minute before the break the visitors equalized when Flo headed in an excellent Heggem cross, after the latter went to the byline. This was probably the turning point of the game. After the break, Rekdal was told to man-mark Slovenian play-maker Zahovic, which proved very effective, and gradually Norway took over more and more. However, apart from a Heggem bicyckle kick, few clear opportunities were created. Then, 10 minutes from time, Rekdal stepped up to take a freekick. His first (weak) effort crashed against the wall, but the second sneaked into the far corner and Norway were in front. Another vital goal by Rekdal, who really is a man for the big occations, as he was also the one who scored the late winner against Brazil in WC98, the three late goals against Hungary in WCQ98, the only goal in WC94 and the equalizer at Wembley in WCQ94. The lead was never really in any danger after that, as Slovenia were unable to penetrate the Norwegian defense, and three minutes into injury time the first three points in the Euro2000 qualifying campaign were in the bag. Of the players, nobody really excelled, but nobody had an awful game either. Berg and Hoftun in defense were probably the best players. The worst man on the field was the Swiss referee, who was very lenient, and let some really nasty fouls pass, and also allowed far too much shirt tugging, in particular by the Slovenians, who also liked to dive on the slightest touch. In all, a very scrappy and hard fought encounter, which showed that this qualifying group is very tight. Next game for Norway is already on Wednesday, at home against Albania. For the first time since before Drillo took over, Norway will start with the same eleven players who started in Slovenia.