Ullevaal stadion (Att: 8312)
1-0 Kjetil Rekdal (pen.9),
1-1 Abedi Pele (27),
2-1 Fjortoft (50),
3-1 Fjortoft (53),
3-2 Pele (pen.57).
Yellow card: Yaw Acheampong (41), Sam Johnson (54), Affo Dodoo (78), Ghana, Henning Berg (52), Norway.
Match report:
An open, entertaining, but not very good game. A draw would perhaps have
been a fair result, as Ghana dominated in large periods. The African
players were miles ahead of the Norwegians with regard to individual skill
and pace, but equally behind in terms of defensive organization and team play.
Norway started brightly, taking the initiative and after only 9 minutes
they were ahread. A cross was headed backwards by Flo into the penalty
area. The Ghana goalkeeper grabbed the ball in the air with one hand, but
then collided with Skammelsrud and lost the ball, which went straight to
Fjortoft. When he played it past the 'keeper, he was fouled by Crenstil. A
clear penalty, but perhaps the goalkeeper should have had a freekick after
the incident with Skammelsrud. Rekdal scored with ease from the spot.
Norway continued to dominate and Mini had a good shot just over the
crossbar. But then after 30 mins Ghana struck back. After a good run by Yaw
Preko, who gave Roger Nilsen a difficult time throughout the game, he was
brought down just outside the area. The resulting freekick from Abedi Pele
went through a Swiss-cheese-like Norwegian wall, and into the net leaving
Thorstvedt stranded. The equalizer cleatly lifted the visitors who
dominated for the rest of the half, without creating too many chances.
In the second half, Norway started as they did in the first. Within ten
minutes they have scored twice and the game seemed all over. Both goals
came after long throw-ins from Nilsen, aimed at Flo. In the first, the
Ghana goalkeeper again was at fault, as he dropped the ball in a duel with
Flo and an own defender. Fjortoft said "Thank you", and side-kicked the
ball into the open net. The second was more of a beauty, as Flo flicked the
throw-in to the back post where Fjortoft hit a first-time volley into the
roof of the goal. This time the keeper had no chance.
After these early strikes, the commentator talked about the game being
over, but as he spoke Ghana got a penalty when Yeboah was held bak by Berg.
The Norwegian was lucky not to see the yellow card for a second time in
that situation. Agian, Abedi Pele stepped up and scored.
The rest of the game Ghana pressed forward, squandering some very big
chances, but Norway were still dangerous on the break, with Fjortoft once
hitting the post. In the end, Norway were a bit lucky to survive, but there
wasn't any great unjustice done by the result.
Of the Ghana players, Abedi Pele was world-class in this match. His ball
control and skill was excellent. Even the Norwegian players were impressed.
Fjortoft, who got his shirt after the game, told reporters that for the
first time in his carrier, he had actually stopped up and admired an
opponent during play. As already mentioned Yam Preko of Anderlecht wasn't
bad either. He was extremely fast, and very difficult to stop for the
Norwegian defenders. The other top international star, Anthony Yeboah,
didn't imnpress me that much. He often lost the ball, when having it under
control, but in glimpses you could see what good player he really is.
Line-ups Ghana (5-3-2): Nanabenyin Crenstil - Osei Kuffour - Sam Johnson, Affo Dodoo, Yaw Acheampong, Isaac Asare - Yaw Preko, Mallam Yahya, Charles Akonor - Abedi Pele, Anthony Yeboah.
Norway (3-5-2): Erik Thorstvedt - Henning Berg, Ronny Johnsen, Roger
Nilsen - Jostein Flo (Ole Bjorn Sundgot from 78.), Lars Bohinen (Tore
Pedersen from 74.), Kjetil Rekdal (Stale Solbakken from 46.), Bent
Skammelsrud, Jahn Ivar Jakobsen - Harald Brattbakk, Jan Age Fjortoft.
