Norway Beats Ghana 3-2

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.