WC qualifier in Oslo, June 2, 1996 ================================== Norway - Azerbaijan 5-0 (2-0) Ullevaal Att: 14 012 Referee: Alan Snoddy, Northern Ireland 1-0 Solbakken (8) 2-0 Solskjær (37) 3-0 Solbakken (46) 4-0 Strandli (60) 5-0 Solskjær (90) Yellow card: Souleimanov (47), Azerbaijan. Line-ups -------- Norway (4-4-2): F Grodås - A I Håland, H Berg, R Johnsen, S I Bjørnebye - P Rudi, S Solbakken (T Svindal Larsen from 79.), K Rekdal, Ø Leonhardsen (T A Flo from 46.) - O G Solskjær, F Strandli. Azerbaijan (4-5-1): Jidkov - Getman, Gaysumov, Akhmedov, Abouchov (Assadov from 80.) - Agaev (Nossenko from 40.), Rzaev (Gourbanov from 46.), Idigov, Gousseynov, Lytchkin - Souleimanov. Match report ------------ A good start for Norway in their bid to qualifiy for France'98. Without long-time regulars, Fjørtoft and Mini, "new Norway" showed some good potential, especially offensively. Two great goals from Solskjær, the first an excellent first-time volley from 16 metres, which gave Jidkov no chance. One of the best goals at Ullevaal ever. His teammate up front, Strandli, also played well and scored a goal. The last two goals were scored by Solbakken, his first for the national team. However, man of the match was Rekdal, who controlled the midfield superbly. As for Azerbaijan, they were woeful in defence, but not as bad when going forward, with quick passes and technical players. At home, in Baku, they could certainly pose a treat to any other team in the group, but on their travels they are still tactically inferior.