EC qualifier in Minsk, November 16, 1994 ======================================== Belarus - Norway 0-4 (0-2) Att: 8.000 0-1 Berg (34) 0-2 Leonhardsen (39) 0-3 Bohinen (52) 0-4 Rekdal (pen. 83) Referee: Lube Spasov, Bulgaria. Yellow card: Fjørtoft, Leonhardsen, Norway. Line-ups -------- Norway: Grodås - Halle, Berg, Johnsen R., Bjørnebye (Lydersen) - Rushfeldt (Mini), Bohinen, Rekdal, Mykland, Leonhardsen - Fjørtoft. Other result in group 5 ----------------------- Netherlands - Czech Republic 0-0 1.Norway 3 2 1 0 6-1 7 ------------------------------------- 2.Czech Republic 3 1 2 0 6-1 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3.Netherlands 3 1 2 0 5-1 5 4.Belarus 3 1 0 2 2-5 3 5.Malta 2 0 1 1 1-6 1 6.Luxembourg 2 0 0 2 0-6 0 Next games ---------- 14/12: Malta - Norway Netherlands - Luxembourg Match report ------------ This match really reminded me of the game in Poland last year (3-0 win). It took place in Eastern Europe against an opposition playing in mainly white and red. The weather was as bad and the field was even worse, muddy and wet. The referee was another Eastern European (this time a Bulgarian, who was quite well). Even the commentator was the same (Davy Wathne), although he has improved a lot since his chauvenistic remarks in Poznan. Also the game started as the one last year, with the home side slightly in command, but without forcing Grod}s to make any spectacular saves. The Belarussians were much more offensive than in the match at Ullevaal, and were playing with two attackers _and_ two old-fashioned wingers. On their first corner Norway took the lead when a Belarussian player just nodded the ball at the first post and straight into the path of Berg, who netted with a free header. This was Norway's first real opportunity of the game. Five minutes later it was time for 2-0 and now after a great piece of play. Rushfeldt went past two defenders about 25 meters from goal, was fouled but the ball went to Mykland as the ref gave advantage. He crossed to Bohinen on the penalty area, who headed the ball back to Fj|rtoft, whose first-time shot hit the post. The rebound went straight into the patch of Leonhardsen, who netted with ease from 6-7 meters and with the Belarussian keeper helplessly on the ground. A two-goal lead at half-time was perhaps somewhat undeserved, as Norway had only had 3 or 4 opportunities. In the second half, Belarus best player, Gerasimets of Bnei Yehuda (Israel), missed a sitter after few minutes by only hitting the side netting completely free against Grod}s. This was probably the match decider as only minutes later Bohinen scored the third after a long throw-in was only halfcleared by both the keeper and a defender. The ball went out to Bohinen on 15 meters, who noticed a big gap between the keeper and his right post, and coolly side-footed the ball into that gap with his right foot. An easy, but nevertheless great goal, the bad conditions of the field taken into consideration. After that the home side more or less gave up (as the Poles did last year), and Norway had many good chances to increase the lead. Especially Leonhardsen was the sinner, but to his credit it must be said his work-rate was enormous, and was voted Man-of-the-Match after the game. Seven minutes from time, Mini, who had come on as a sub, was clearly fouled inside the area, and Rekdal stepped up and put the penalty in the goal, as easily as only he can. (Btw, the introduction of Mini forced Wathne into stating what I would say was the remark of the day: "Let's see if Mini gets the opportunity to spoil as many chances in this game as he did in Poland"). Odd enough, Drillo wasn't completely satisfied after the game. He described the result as probably his best ever, but was not satisfied with the play which he described as sloppy in defense and inaccurate in attack. However, he praised the players will to win the game. I don't agree with him. OK, we were somewhat lucky in the first half, but to me the second half was as brilliant as any of the matches in the WC-qualification. This was 'old' Norway, not the one we watched in USA, but the one who played so well in the qualification to WC94. The fast break-downs were back, as were the long runs by the midfielders to help the lonely forward, which was lacking so much in the US. Of course, it was helped by the fact that the temperature was some 40 degrees lower in Mensk :-), but that doesn't explain it all. Once Norway get the lead away from home, they are a hell of a difficult team to beat, as the opposition then have to go forward, leaving big gaps in defense. With this win Norway top group 5, and with the four next matches being against Malta and Luxembourg, things are looking really good. Having 19 points (6-1-0 record) is not very unlikely, when they take on the Czech Republic at Ullevaal in August 1995. Another important thing is that neither Netherlands nor the Czech Republic are guaranteed 6 points against Belarus, as they are not a push-over, and will hopefully take a point (or three) from our closest rivals in Mensk. As Belarus will probably finish fourth, the two wins are also important if Norway should finish second, and the comparison of the records of the other second-placed teams has to be made. All in all, a _very_ important win, which take Norway a further step towards England'96. Let's hope they can continue and round off the year by beating Malta in just under a month's time.