EC qualifier in Tbilisi, April 28, 1999 ======================================= Georgia - Norway 1-4 (0-4) Boris Paichadze national stadium Att: appr. 20 000 0-1 Gela Shekiladze (o.g. 16) 0-2 Tore André Flo (26) 0-3 Ole Gunnar Solskjær (35) 0-4 Flo (38) 1-4 Zaza Janashia (58) Referee: Sandor Puhl, Hungary. Line-ups -------- Georgia (4-4-2): Nikolos Togonidze - Gela Shekiladze (Zurab Popkhadze from 46.) - Givi Didava, Mamuka Tsereteli, Kakha Kaladze - Georgi Nemsadze, Alexander Rekhviashvili (Giorgi Kiknadze from 81.), Gocha Jamarauli, Levan Kobiashvili - Zaza Janashia, Temur Ketsbaia (Giorgi Demetradze from 46.). Norway (4-5-1): Thomas Myhre - Alf-Inge Håland, Tore Pedersen, Erik Hoftun, André Bergdølmo - Ole Gunnar Solskjær (Roar Strand from 46.), Steffen Iversen, Ståle Solbakken, Erik Mykland, Petter Rudi (Vidar Riseth from 82.) - Tore André Flo (John Carew from 88.). Other game ---------- 28.04.99 Latvia - Albania 0-0 Norway 5 3 1 1 11- 7 10 ------------------------------------- Latvia 5 2 2 1 4- 2 8 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Greece 5 1 3 1 5- 4 6 Slovenia 4 1 2 1 5- 5 5 Georgia 5 1 1 3 3- 9 4 Albania 4 0 3 1 2- 3 3 Match report ------------ Another impressive away performance by Norway, which lifts them on top of the qualifying group 2. Coach Semb opted for a unusually offensive line-up from the start, by including Flo, as well as Solskjær and Iversen in midfield. Injures to Berg, Johnsen and Heggem also meant that the back four was considerably changed from the Greece game, with Pedersen making his first start for some time. Both decisions payed off. In an incredible first half Norway scored four goals without reply. And that after producing six good opportunities. A couple of the goals were down to disasterous Georgian defensive play, but the finishing was clinical on all occations. Apart from a shot against the post at 0-1, Georgia had very little to offer up front in the first half. After the break, Norway concentrated on defending their lead, which lead to Georgia having all of the play. The home side duly reduced the deficit with a nice taken goal, after getting through on the Norwegian right side. But that was also it. Of the players, Pedersen at the back is already mentioned, and in midfield Solbakken had another good game, which will make him impossible? to replace when Rekdal returns. Iversen also delivered a fine performance in his attacking midfielder role, whereas Flo up front showed why he should play in that position for Norway. With Latvia only drawing at home, Norway now top their group. Next game is the return game against Georgia in late May. That game might possibly be much more difficult, as then Georgia can defend and rely on the counter attacks, whereas Norway must take control of the game. Let's hope that Norway manage that aspect of football too, now that they have done the hard work by defeating Slovenia, Greece and Georgia away from home.