WC qualifier in Bern, November 10, 1996 ======================================= Switzerland - Norway 0-1 (0-1) Wankdorf stadium Att: 22 000 0-1 Øyvind Leonhardsen (32) Referee: Manuel Diaz Vega, Spain. Yellow card: Kubilay Türkyilmaz (5), Ciriaco Sforza (28), Switzerland, Kjetil Rekdal (6), Øyvind Leonhardsen (19), Ole Gunnar Solskjær (77), Norway. Line-ups -------- Switzerland (4-4-2): Marco Pascolo - Raphael Wicky, Ramon Vega, Stephane Henchoz, Marco Walker - Massimo Lombardo (Nestor Subiat from 70.), Murat Yakin (Blaise Pfiffaretti from 88.), Ciriaco Sforza, Johann Vogel - Kubilay Türkyilmaz, Stephane Chapuisat (Christophe Bonvin from 85.). Norway (4-5-1): Frode Grodås - Alf-Inge Håland, Henning Berg, Ronny Johnsen, Roger Nilsen - Tore André Flo (Ole Gunnar Solskjær from 75.), Erik Mykland (Ståle Solbakken from 63.), Kjetil Rekdal, Øyvind Leonhardsen, Frank Strandli - Egil Østenstad (Håvard Flo from 87.). Table in group 3 ---------------- 10.11.96 Azerbaijan - Hungary 0-3 Norway 3 3 0 0 9- 0 9 ------------------------------------- Hungary 3 2 0 1 4- 3 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Switzerland 3 1 0 2 3- 4 3 Azerbaijan 3 1 0 2 1- 8 3 Finland 2 0 0 2 2- 4 0 Match report ------------ A very important away win for Norway in Bern on Sunday, probably the most important since the 3-0 win in Poland in 1993. Øyvind Leonhardsen scored the winning goal on a rebound off the Swiss keeper after a turn and shot by Tore Andre Flo. The goal came against the run of play in the first half, because as expected the Swiss started the brightest, forced to win as they were. The home team created two or three great opportunities, aided by some unusual sloppy defending by Norway, but on each occation Frode Grodås stopped what seemed as certain goals. The main culprit was Chapuisat, who really should have done better in a one on one with the Norwegian keeper. After the goal, the Swiss pressure continued, but Norway held out for a undeserved lead after 45 minutes. In the second half, though, it was a completely different story. Now, the Norwegian defense was back to its own self, and allowed the Swiss only one big chance for the rest of the game. That chance again felt to Chapuisat, but he was again denied from 5 metres by an excellent reaction save by Grodås. What was more important was that Norway had several good opportunities to extend the lead themselves. Østenstad misskicked the ball completely from 5 metres with only the ballkeeper in front of him, Strandli blasted a shot just wide, and Leonhardsen went even closer after a very good Norwegian attack. Based on those chances, the win was more than merited. Generally, the performance in the second half was much better, and frankly the Swiss were never allowed back into the game after going behind. Especially Turkyilmaz had a very quiet game, and was most noted for his diving skills and constant offside positioning. In the Norwegian team, goal keeper Grodås was the most prominent figure, closely followed by Leonhardsen, and not only because of his goal. Østenstad up front and Rekdal in midfield had good games as well. But above all it was a team performance, as it usually is the case with Norway. Nothing spectacular or fancy, but effective, with occational glimpses of brilliance. The win means that Norway have got an excellent start to the WC campaign, and France'98 should really be a realistic target. If they can come away four points in their next two games (Finland home and Hungary away), I don't think any team in group 3 can stop them.