WC qualifier in Oslo, October 9, 1996
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Norway - Hungary 3-0 (0-0)
Ullevaal
Att: 22 480
1-0 Kjetil Rekdal (83)
2-0 Rekdal (89)
3-0 Rekdal (pen. 90)
Referee: Hugh Dallas, Scotland.
Yellow card: Florian Urban (13), Norbert Nagy (79), Vilmos Sebok 
(82), Hungary, Stig Inge Bjørnebye (51), Norway.

Line-ups
--------
  Norway (4-4-2): Frode Grodås - Alf-Inge Håland, Henning Berg, 
Ronny Johnsen, Stig Inge Bjørnebye - Lars Bohinen, Erik Mykland, 
Kjetil Rekdal, Øyvind Leonhardsen - Ole Gunnar Solskjær (Håvard 
Flo from 64.), Frank Strandli (Egil Østenstad from 83.).

  Hungary (3-5-2): Szaboles Safar - Janos Banfi - Vilmos Sebok, 
Mihaly Mracsko - Elek Nyilas (Bela Illes from 73.), Florian Urban, 
Gabor Halmai (Gabor Torma from 87.), Tibor Balog, Norbert Nagy - 
Tibor Dombi, Laszlo Klausz.


Match report
------------
On paper this win will perhaps look easy, but that was far from 
the story on the field. For long spells of the game, the defensive-minded
Hungarians frustrated Norway, and the home team were never able to break
down the visitors defense. Not that Norway showed any great creativity 
in trying to do so either. Mostly, the usual long ball towards striker
Strandli was used. The only problem being that there were no Norwegians
taking advantage of his flicks. However, seven minutes from time the
tactic finally paided off, when Strandli was fouled just outside
the area. The freekick was taken by Rekdal, who placed the ball
outside the reach of the goal keeper and just inside the post. Now,
Hingary needed to go forward, and in doing so exposed themselves on
the back. Thus, one minute from time, Rekdal got a second after a
shot by Leonhardsen, following good play by Flo, was partially saved
by the Hungarian goal keeper. The ball went out to Rekdal which volleyed
home from 18 metres. If that wasn't enough, Norway were given a penalty
in the last minute after a foul on Østenstad, again following a
rapid counter attack. Rekdal stepped up, and cooly slotted the ball home
for his hat-trick. Three goals in seven minutes. When was the last time
that happened in an international game?

Norway are now comfortably ahead in the group, but have to improve in
their next game, away to Switzerland if they want any points there. 
Personally I think they will, as Norway then don't have to lead the game,
as they had to on Wednesday. Instead they can use their very good defense,
combined with quick counter attacks, which suit Norway much better.

06.10.96        Finland - Switzerland 2-3

Norway           2   2  0  0  8- 0  6
-------------------------------------
Switzerland      2   1  0  1  3- 3  3
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hungary          2   1  0  1  1- 3  3
Azerbaijan       2   1  0  1  1- 5  3
Finland          2   0  0  2  2- 4  0